First time with beacons.. need some help ;)

[budders84]

Hello! Just got a few NRF51822's.. looking to just brodcast a few basic URL's.. if someone can point me in the right direction or maybe let me know where I can hire someone to walk me through the process that would be great.. dont need any other special functionality.. whats the quickest/easiest way to get these setup? I come from a computer background, novice programmer etc etc.. I'd like to get these setup quick though..

[budders84]

Is it able to brodcast a eddystone like Url with some work? If so what would be entailed.. is sdk just for developing apps for this? I dont want nearby users to have to download an app which i think is the only way to get this thing to communicate the eddystone url like I want..

[MANGO]

Q0: Is it able to brodcast a eddystone like Url with some work?

A0: Yes, open the Nordic's Eddystone beacon project from SDK/examples/ble_peripheral/ble_app_eddystone using for preferrable IDE such as Keil MDK, IAR EWARM, or more.

Or copy and paste the hex file into the PCA10040 board.

This example makes the nRF52 to advertise Nordic's URL, as you see in my edited answer.

Q1: what would be entailed?

A1:

• An IDE, like Keil, IAR, SEGGER ES, etc, or GCC compiler to build Nordic's project

• Android/iOS Mobile BLE App

• A development kit, like PCA10040 or PCA10028, or a custom board that has Nordic's MCU populated

Check Nordic’s tutorial.

Q2: I dont want nearby users to have to download an app which i think is the only way to get this thing to communicate the eddystone url like I want

A2: Bad news, an app is essential.

-BR

[MANGO]

About the app, check

link: Using Eddystone beacons without mobile app

Summary; one of the advantages of the new protocol is that there’s no need for users to install an app to catch a signal from a beacon.

And though this statement is true, without an app the technology’s possibilities are significantly restricted.

link: iBeacon, No App? Breaking down the options

Summary; If a radio is turned on but not programmed to the right station, all you hear is white noise. This is where the app comes in.

Your app programs the receiver to the right station so that you are receiving the information you want to hear and, on the flip side, broadcasting to the audience that’s listening to your station. Without that, signals are being broadcast, but your device can’t hear them.

-BR

[MANGO]

By the way, about what would be entailed?

Are you thinking of mass production? Then the answer of mine should be revised.

-Best Regards, MANGO