How to measure/change the Output Power of the Tx and the receiver sensitivity for nRF52840?

[Prarthana]

Hello, 

I'm currently using the nRF_SDK_15.2.0 developement kit and s140 softdevice for programming ble_app_att_mtu_throughput. I want to measure and display the output power of the transmitter and also the receiver sensitivity in dBm. My intention is to find the best values for which I can get the longest range. 

I will be more than happy to hear any other suggestions. 

Regards

Prarthana

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi,

 

You can print the RSSI level (MSC described here), but you cannot do a full RF PHY evaluation by using two kits standalone.

For more detailed RF PHY performance, you will need some sort of test equipment, for instance a bluetooth tester. We use Anritsu MT8852B in our lab for testing against the direct_test_mode example.

Kind regards,

Håkon

[Prarthana]

Hello, 

Thank you for the response. So, I conducted few experiments and measured the RSSI value with the help of a code, I'm getting values in the range of -16 dBm to -44 dBm for CODED PHY, against the theoretical value of -103 dBm . What is your take on this ? Is there any way I can improve the RSSI ? 

And also what according to you are the ideal values of output power and receiver sensitivity for which we can achieve the longest range?

[awneil]

Prarthana said:

Is there any way I can improve the RSSI ?

For any radio receiver, under given conditions, RSSI is affected by the transmitter power, and antenna gain.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_budget

[Prarthana]

Thank you Awneil