Mesh functionality and 2-way communication

[ctrl2]

Hi! I need to understand the basic functionality of BLE Mesh.

Please see attached picture.

1. Is it true that a device (eg BLUE) through BLE mesh can communicate DATA with several other device's connected nodes (GREEN / YELLOW), which in return communicates this DATA to its own connected device (GREEN OR YELLOW)?
2. Can a node (BLUE) communicate less frequent SENSOR DETECTION in the same mesh back to its own device (BLUE)?

Thx!

//Mike

[Bjørn Kvaale]

Yes, both of these use cases are possible. For more info on mesh, it could be useful to check out these two introduction links to bluetooth mesh (part 1, part 2).

[ctrl2]

Thx for a great answer. To have a bullet proof mesh network, what is the limitations concerning:

1. The amount of nodes connected to each device?

2. The overall amount of nodes in the mesh network?

3. The amount of devices in the mesh network?

[Bjørn Kvaale]

1) Theoretically, this answer would be the same as 2 & 3. Practically, you might not have enough memory on your device to hold so many unicast addresses on one device.

2) Normally, each device is provisioned as one mesh node, so up to 32767 nodes can be in the Mesh network (see answer 3).

3) 32767 devices in a Bluetooth Mesh network (see link).

Update: For all of the above, practically, it should be possible to have thousands of devices on a mesh network (but this can depend on the network).

[leonwj]

hello ctrl2,

In addition to the reply by Bjorn, please refer to the following post for a detailed view of how the Bluetooth mesh address space is handled. Suffice to say, a single device/node can have multiple addresses which each count towards the 32,767 maximum.

Regards,

[ctrl2]

Thx all, I've read the linked information.

Finally can you mix nodes/mcu´s from NordicSemi, Ti and other manufacturers in the same mesh network? I assume yes, but better ask.

[Bjørn Kvaale]

MCUs from different manufacturers should be able to communicate with each other if all of the devices follow the Mesh specs. Nordic follows the Mesh specs, but I cannot guarantee that other manufacturers follow the mesh specs. I would recommend using the same manufacturer for a Mesh network. Remember, you cannot use the Nordic Mesh SDK on other manufacturers devices.