Recommendations on creating a BLE LR mesh network

[DigiMan]

Hi, we looking at converting our devices from a BLE communication protocol, to BLE LR with MESH networking.

Currently, we are doing the following:

Android tablet connects with BLE <----> BLE router created using nrf52833, and repeating BLE strings over BLE LR to devices <-----> BLE LR devices in a spoke and hup network that receive and send simple string commands.

We would like to get more range and better connectivity out of the system. We are using the router because most lower cost android devices do not support Long Range BLE and only BLE with LR. Therefore, we thought it would give us better range.

We are also NOT bonding/pairing ANY of the devices in our system/network. We are simply relying on PHY BLE and PHY BLE LR.

Are there any recommendations on:

a) Is mesh the right way to go?

b) a better way of getting more range? 

c) resources on HOW to implement such a longer range system? Specific lines in the configs or C code to change? look for?

Thanks in advance!

Ted

[tesc]

Hi,

a) Is mesh the right way to go?

Choice of technology depends on multiple factors. Mesh solutions typically solves the range issue by allowing messages to be relayed multiple hops between source and destination. In other words, if devices are spread out in such a way that there are paths through the network from one end to the other, then a mesh network could be the way to go, yes. Please note that Bluetooth Mesh still builds on Bluetooth 4 advertisements, so there is no long range support in Bluetooth Mesh. That means each hop is limited to the radio range of your standard 1 Mbps BLE, and not that of coded phy. Please note also that for Bluetooth Mesh, the throughput may be a limiting factor. There are however other (third party) mesh solutions out there which are also built on Bluetooth, such as e.g. BlueRange mesh (formerly known as FruityMesh.)

b) a better way of getting more range?

There are basically two options: Longer direct range for each device, or increased range through relaying. Depending on the location of the nodes, a mesh, a star, or some other topology may be the best fit for relaying.

c) resources on HOW to implement such a longer range system? Specific lines in the configs or C code to change? look for?

I am afraid that apart from increasing the range on individual nodes (i.e. long range, increased TX power, etc.) solutions tend to be either hardware (add front-end-module) or involve some coding work (e.g. changing the network topology.)

Regards,
Terje

[DigiMan]

Thank you very much for the reply.

I believe we have to perform some real-world testing on tolologies, Bluetooth protocols, and hardware changes to decide conclusively on what will work best.

Thank you for your input.