Throughput testing using single nRF5340 DUT

[Rahaman]

Hello,

I am working with the nRF5340 and would like to measure BLE throughput. I know that typically a throughput test requires two devices (central and peripheral), but in my case I only have a single DUT available.

• Is it possible to perform a throughput test using just one nRF5340 device (e.g., in loopback mode or using test commands or using with PC)?

• If yes, what is the recommended approach in the nRF Connect SDK or Zephyr for setting this up?

• If no, is there any alternative method (like direct test mode or simulation) to evaluate throughput with only one DUT?

Thanks in advance for your guidance.

[Susheel Nuguru]

Syed,

No you cannot do a throughput test on a single DUT. Loopback does not work here unlike doing a loopback on Serial peripherals. On serial devices, you have different pins for RX and TX but our products have only one radio that can be either in TX or RX mode at a time. So there is no way we can time that loopback to send and receive the data. 

[Simonr]

However, what you can do is indeed use a PC or phone as one end of the throughput test. We don't have an application doing this, but it should be possible to implement. Note that you will be bottlenecked if the peer does not support the 2Mbps PHY and MTU throughput required for throughput testing.

This unofficial Android app might be usable as a base for an application, but as is it's only designed for communicating with an nRF52840 with a camera

Best regards,

Simon

[Rahaman]

But i have only nRF5340 DUT.

[Susheel Nuguru]

If you do not want to use phone app or other peer program then you cannot test BLE throughput in a loopback way.

[Rahaman]

Can you please suggest me any app which is compatible with nRF5340 for throughput test using a mobile phone or a PC.

[Susheel Nuguru]

My colleague Simon has already suggested you to try an unofficial Android app that was used by one of my ex-colleague.

Simonr said:

This unofficial Android app might be usable as a base for an application, but as is it's only designed for communicating with an nRF52840 with a camera