BLE range testing with two nRF5340 DKs: example code for PHY and TX power variation?

[diegonovo02]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently working on a BLE project using two nRF5340 DKs and would like to perform range tests to evaluate the maximum connection distance under different conditions.

My main objectives are:

• Test BLE connection range using different PHYs (1M, 2M, Coded S=2, Coded S=8).

• Be able to change the TX power (e.g., from -20 dBm to +3 dBm).

• If possible, display real-time RSSI and bitrate or throughput from the central device during the connection.

I've tried doing this with different examples from the SDK (such as central_uart / peripheral_uart and hci_rpmsg / hci_pwr_ctrl), but I haven't been able to achieve the setup I need.

If anyone has any example code that does something similar or any tips or suggestions on how to approach this properly,

I would really appreciate the help!

Thanks in advance!

[SwRa]

Hi Diego,

I would suggest that you try out the throughput sample on nRF Connect SDK.. See here: https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ncs-latest/page/nrf/samples/bluetooth/throughput/README.html 

Changing the TX power in this sample has been discussed in several tickets in Devzone like this one:  Set transmission power - nrf5340 throughput example  You could also refer: https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ncs-latest/page/nrf/protocols/matter/getting_started/transmission_power.html#changing_tx_power_for_bluetooth_le 

Best Regards,

Swathy

[diegonovo02]

Hi SwRa, thanks a lot for your answer!

I had already checked the throughput sample and related DevZone posts, and they’ve been helpful. However, I believe that most of these examples assume an active BLE connection between the devices.

What I’m actually looking for is something more like this blog post:
devzone.nordicsemi.com/.../testing-long-range-coded-phy-with-nordic-solution-it-simply-works-922075585
In that example, they seem to be testing range with advertising and scanning only, not requiring a full connection.

My goal is to test and compare the actual coverage distance of all 4 PHYs (1M, 2M, Coded S=2, Coded S=8) using two nRF5340 DK boards. Ideally, I'd like to: Broadcast advertising packets using the selected PHY, measure if and when those packets are received on the other board (scanner), along with RSSI, possibly change TX power (e.g., from -20 dBm to +3 dBm), repeat for all PHYs and log the results for distance comparison...

Do you know if there’s an example in the nRF Connect SDK for this kind of non-connected, range testing setup using advertising + scanning? Or any guidance on how to modify existing samples (like peripheral_hr and central_hr) to avoid connections but still change PHY and TX power?

Thanks again for your support!

Best regards,
Diego