Android Smartphone To be configured as BLE mesh node

[Sanjay Chauhan]

Hi,

I want to know if Android Smartphone can be configured as BLE Mesh node? If it can be configured as BLE mesh node, how can it be done using below mentioned library.

So that it can be communicated using mesh nodes using BLE technology only.

https://github.com/NordicSemiconductor/Android-nRF-Mesh-Library

Regards

Sanjay Chauhan

[Hung Bui]

Hi Sanjay, 

The library will make the phone acts as a mesh node that can be connected to the mesh network via a proxy node.

The provisioning of the phone as a mesh node is not supported. You would need to do hardcode provisioning which basically mean you manually assign an address, assign network keys, app keys etc. You can find this feature in the nRF Mesh app (at setting page). 

Note that you need a proxy node that support both BLE and Bluetooth Mesh for the phone to be able to connect and communicate with mesh. 

[Sanjay Chauhan]

Hi Hung,

Which mesh model or mechanism of BLE mesh can be used for sending voice message to and fro between Mesh network devices and Android Mobile handset that is used as provisioner. Let me know if this can be possible?

Regards

Sanjay Chauhan

[Hung Bui]

Hi Sanjay, 
What kind of audio data you want to send over mesh ? 
Please be aware that Bluetooth mesh is not made for high throughput data. So voice is not the best to send over mesh and live audio communication is not something you can do with mesh. 

You will need to transmit compressed voice as normal data and then playback when you receive the full package. 

[Sanjay Chauhan]

Hi Hung,

How we can transmit compressed voice , can you let me know we can use any model for this?

Regards

Sanjay Chauhan

[Hung Bui]

Hi Sanjay,

There isn't a model or profile for voice over mesh, AFAIK. So you need to do it as proprietary data. You use a codec to convert and compress voice then send it as normal data. But as I said, sending voice over Bluetooth Mesh is not something easy, regarding the limited throughput and the flooding approach of Bluetooth Mesh.