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Increasing Coverage of nRF51822 BLE module

Vaio

For some sort of geofencing application, we want to include the BLE module nRF51822 into a Base Station (BS), and a small mobile device (MS). The MS should detect the presence of a signal from the BS. If it is/is not present, certain actions are being triggered.

1.) While the maximum TxPower seems to be +4dBm, I heard that using an amplifier one can send up to the regulated limit of +20dBm.

2.) Alternatively, I heard on the nRF51822 a custom protocol can be implemented. The design goal would be to reach maximum coverage (ideally, beyond walls inside a house).

For both cases, the same questions arise:

Does anybody have experience / more infos on this? Mainly:

  • what is the maximum coverage (in theory and practice)?
  • what are the implications on power consumption (as this will be done in the BS, it shouldn't really matter)?

Thanks!

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    Thanks for clarification. In this case, I'd like to test the 2.4 GHz proprietary protocol w/ 250 kbps. ESB and Gazell are provided by Nordic and can be easily used on the devboards I assume?

    What remains unclear to this point: could I use the custom protocol (for presence detection of a mobile device near the base station, long range), and switch the nRF51822 later to use it with BLE protocol (to synchronize some data to a smartphone, shorter range)? I.e., can we switch the protocols during runtime (= controlled from our firmware)? I suppose this is not possible in parallel, but at least sequentially?

    Using a proprietary protocol, then you can go over this limit, but you have to make sure that you're within teleregulatory requirements.

    I suppose you refer to region-specific regulations? Afaik, for Europe this should be limited to 100mW (20dBm) EIRP in the 2,4 GHz band then.

    In terms of testing, can you clarify/confirm what would be required for such a 2.4 GHz custom protocol range test? It seems either 2 evaluation kits (probably cheaper?), or alternatively 1 development kit (more flexible?) would do the trick?

    Thanks, Mike

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    Thanks for clarification. In this case, I'd like to test the 2.4 GHz proprietary protocol w/ 250 kbps. ESB and Gazell are provided by Nordic and can be easily used on the devboards I assume?

    What remains unclear to this point: could I use the custom protocol (for presence detection of a mobile device near the base station, long range), and switch the nRF51822 later to use it with BLE protocol (to synchronize some data to a smartphone, shorter range)? I.e., can we switch the protocols during runtime (= controlled from our firmware)? I suppose this is not possible in parallel, but at least sequentially?

    Using a proprietary protocol, then you can go over this limit, but you have to make sure that you're within teleregulatory requirements.

    I suppose you refer to region-specific regulations? Afaik, for Europe this should be limited to 100mW (20dBm) EIRP in the 2,4 GHz band then.

    In terms of testing, can you clarify/confirm what would be required for such a 2.4 GHz custom protocol range test? It seems either 2 evaluation kits (probably cheaper?), or alternatively 1 development kit (more flexible?) would do the trick?

    Thanks, Mike

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