Unable to convert to Long Range after looking at umpteen examples :-(

RE: Unable to convert to Long Range after looking at umpteen examples :-(

Vidar Berg — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 07:20:11 GMT

Hi,

You can see modifications I made for these 2 example in the 'diff' file below. It should not be much different in SDK 17.0.2

diff --git a/examples/ble_central/ble_app_uart_c/main.c b/examples/ble_central/ble_app_uart_c/main.c
index 5c6ffd5..c53297b 100644
--- a/examples/ble_central/ble_app_uart_c/main.c
+++ b/examples/ble_central/ble_app_uart_c/main.c
@@ -116,6 +116,10 @@ static void scan_start(void)
 
     ret = bsp_indication_set(BSP_INDICATE_SCANNING);
     APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);
+
+    //Optional: Change output power
+    ret = sd_ble_gap_tx_power_set(BLE_GAP_TX_POWER_ROLE_SCAN_INIT, 0, 8);
+    APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);
 }
 
 
@@ -164,13 +168,25 @@ static void scan_evt_handler(scan_evt_t const * p_scan_evt)
  */
 static void scan_init(void)
 {
-    ret_code_t          err_code;
-    nrf_ble_scan_init_t init_scan;
+    ret_code_t            err_code;
+    nrf_ble_scan_init_t   init_scan;
+    ble_gap_scan_params_t scan_params;
+
+    memset(&scan_params, 0, sizeof(ble_gap_scan_params_t));
+
+    scan_params.active        = 1;
+    scan_params.interval      = NRF_BLE_SCAN_SCAN_INTERVAL;
+    scan_params.window        = NRF_BLE_SCAN_SCAN_WINDOW;
+    scan_params.timeout       = NRF_BLE_SCAN_SCAN_DURATION;
+    scan_params.filter_policy = BLE_GAP_SCAN_FP_ACCEPT_ALL;
+    scan_params.scan_phys     = BLE_GAP_PHY_CODED;
+    scan_params.extended      = true;
 
     memset(&init_scan, 0, sizeof(init_scan));
 
     init_scan.connect_if_match = true;
     init_scan.conn_cfg_tag     = APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG;
+    init_scan.p_scan_param     = &scan_params;
 
     err_code = nrf_ble_scan_init(&m_scan, &init_scan, scan_evt_handler);
     APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
diff --git a/examples/ble_central/ble_app_uart_c/pca10056/s140/config/sdk_config.h b/examples/ble_central/ble_app_uart_c/pca10056/s140/config/sdk_config.h
index bb9c621..8ff8018 100644
--- a/examples/ble_central/ble_app_uart_c/pca10056/s140/config/sdk_config.h
+++ b/examples/ble_central/ble_app_uart_c/pca10056/s140/config/sdk_config.h
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@
 #endif
 // <o> NRF_BLE_SCAN_BUFFER - Data length for an advertising set. 
 #ifndef NRF_BLE_SCAN_BUFFER
-#define NRF_BLE_SCAN_BUFFER 31
+#define NRF_BLE_SCAN_BUFFER 255
 #endif
 
 // <o> NRF_BLE_SCAN_NAME_MAX_LEN - Maximum size for the name to search in the advertisement report. 
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@
 // <255=> BLE_GAP_PHY_NOT_SET 
 
 #ifndef NRF_BLE_SCAN_SCAN_PHY
-#define NRF_BLE_SCAN_SCAN_PHY 1
+#define NRF_BLE_SCAN_SCAN_PHY 4
 #endif
 
 // <e> NRF_BLE_SCAN_FILTER_ENABLE - Enabling filters for the Scanning Module.
@@ -12394,7 +12394,7 @@
 // <i> Requested BLE GAP data length to be negotiated.
 
 #ifndef NRF_SDH_BLE_GAP_DATA_LENGTH
-#define NRF_SDH_BLE_GAP_DATA_LENGTH 251
+#define NRF_SDH_BLE_GAP_DATA_LENGTH 27
 #endif
 
 // <o> NRF_SDH_BLE_PERIPHERAL_LINK_COUNT - Maximum number of peripheral links. 
@@ -12423,7 +12423,7 @@
 
 // <o> NRF_SDH_BLE_GATT_MAX_MTU_SIZE - Static maximum MTU size. 
 #ifndef NRF_SDH_BLE_GATT_MAX_MTU_SIZE
-#define NRF_SDH_BLE_GATT_MAX_MTU_SIZE 247
+#define NRF_SDH_BLE_GATT_MAX_MTU_SIZE 23
 #endif
 
 // <o> NRF_SDH_BLE_GATTS_ATTR_TAB_SIZE - Attribute Table size in bytes. The size must be a multiple of 4. 
diff --git a/examples/ble_peripheral/ble_app_uart/main.c b/examples/ble_peripheral/ble_app_uart/main.c
index 4d40d21..a42a8c7 100644
--- a/examples/ble_peripheral/ble_app_uart/main.c
+++ b/examples/ble_peripheral/ble_app_uart/main.c
@@ -616,12 +616,15 @@ static void advertising_init(void)
     init.advdata.include_appearance = false;
     init.advdata.flags              = BLE_GAP_ADV_FLAGS_LE_ONLY_LIMITED_DISC_MODE;
 
-    init.srdata.uuids_complete.uuid_cnt = sizeof(m_adv_uuids) / sizeof(m_adv_uuids[0]);
-    init.srdata.uuids_complete.p_uuids  = m_adv_uuids;
-
-    init.config.ble_adv_fast_enabled  = true;
-    init.config.ble_adv_fast_interval = APP_ADV_INTERVAL;
-    init.config.ble_adv_fast_timeout  = APP_ADV_DURATION;
+    init.advdata.uuids_complete.uuid_cnt = sizeof(m_adv_uuids) / sizeof(m_adv_uuids[0]);
+    init.advdata.uuids_complete.p_uuids  = m_adv_uuids;
+
+    init.config.ble_adv_fast_enabled      = true;
+    init.config.ble_adv_fast_interval     = APP_ADV_INTERVAL;
+    init.config.ble_adv_fast_timeout      = APP_ADV_DURATION;
+    init.config.ble_adv_primary_phy       = BLE_GAP_PHY_CODED;
+    init.config.ble_adv_secondary_phy     = BLE_GAP_PHY_CODED;
+    init.config.ble_adv_extended_enabled  = true;
     init.evt_handler = on_adv_evt;
 
     err_code = ble_advertising_init(&m_advertising, &init);
@@ -687,6 +690,10 @@ static void advertising_start(void)
 {
     uint32_t err_code = ble_advertising_start(&m_advertising, BLE_ADV_MODE_FAST);
     APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
+
+    //Optional: Change output power
+    err_code = sd_ble_gap_tx_power_set(BLE_GAP_TX_POWER_ROLE_ADV, m_advertising.adv_handle, 8);
+    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
 }

RE: Unable to convert to Long Range after looking at umpteen examples :-(

amey3 — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 06:47:05 GMT

Hi,

How to do these library nRF5_SDK_15.2.0_mod.zip make compatible with nrf5_SDK_17.2.0.

RE: Unable to convert to Long Range after looking at umpteen examples :-(

Vidar Berg — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 12:21:05 GMT

Hello,

Thanks for confirming that it worked. Limited discovery mode limits the maximum advertising duration to 180 seconds (BT spec. requirement) and the softdevice enforces this. So if you require a longer or no timeout at all for advertising you need to use the general discovery mode.

Appreciate that you want to share your findings with other users. Unfortunately, the blog post section on this forum is currently limited to nordic employees. You can always create a new forum thread. It should get good visibility for those who are searching for similar subjects.

RE: Unable to convert to Long Range after looking at umpteen examples :-(

gos — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 09:06:48 GMT

Above, I forgot to say that I am using "SEC_JUST_WORKS" in my Service.

idle_state_handle() also contains the call:

ret_code_t err_code = nrf_ble_lesc_request_handler();

RE: Unable to convert to Long Range after looking at umpteen examples :-(

gos — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 08:53:18 GMT

Hello Vidar,

Your Code compiles and runs with LR (Long Range) for me as well. However, with your LR advertising_init() function in my Peripheral, I still got Error 7 from ble_advertising_start().

The problem turned out to be this code in the LR advertising_init():

init.advdata.flags = BLE_GAP_ADV_FLAGS_LE_ONLY_LIMITED_DISC_MODE;

I changed it to the flag that I used in my original (non LR) advertising_init():

init.advdata.flags = BLE_GAP_ADV_FLAGS_LE_ONLY_GENERAL_DISC_MODE;

and voila, the Error 7 went away: AND the LONG RANGE CODE CONNECTS & WORKS!

Range does indeed seems to be approx 3 times what I had before, even though the Path Loss today probably is high due to very high humidity (drizzle).

Goes to show how critical some of this code may be, and thus hard to understand & get working at least for a Novice like me...

THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR HELP!

------

By the way: How do I post Tips to other users?

I have found easier ways to measure current on the nRF52840 Dev Kit without soldering on the Board.

I have also found an easier way to Power & Program the nRF52840 Dongle with only one permanent modification.

(Repeated Soldering on the boards are bound to destroy them as paths will come loose. It is also very time consuming and slows down prototyping)

I would like to post the tips on how to do this when time permits. But how / where?

RE: Unable to convert to Long Range after looking at umpteen examples :-(

gos — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 13:27:42 GMT

Thanks a lot Vidar!

I'll look at it as soon as possible and report back here !

RE: Unable to convert to Long Range after looking at umpteen examples :-(

Vidar Berg — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 13:16:31 GMT

Hi,

Attached .zip includes the ble_app_uart and ble_app_uart_c example modified to establish the connection in long range mode. Also replaced s140 v.6.1.0 with s140 6.1.1 as it includes some improvements that may reduce packet loss for "coded phy" connections (https://www.nordicsemi.com/eng/nordic/Products/nRF52840-DK/S140-SD-v6/60625).

devzone.nordicsemi.com/.../nRF5_5F00_SDK_5F00_15.2.0_5F00_mod.zip

Regards,

Vidar