Not getting specified range for nRF52840 using coded PHY

[hari911]

Hi,

We were trying out the long range central and peripheral examples found in github with the nRF52840 DK boards but we are not getting the specified range(We did switch the PHY to coded which was indicated by a solid LED 1). We tried a normal central and peripheral example with nRF52 DK boards and are able to achieve almost the same range(the nRF52840 long range example was able to provide better connection at stairs). We tried the long range examples in a "PREVIEW Development Kit"(Rev 0.11.0).

a) What must have caused the decrease in the coded PHY range?

b) Is there any problem with using the preview board for long range example?

c)  Is the github long range example the latest test code?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanking you in advance
Jibin Raj

[awneil]

hari911 said:

we are not getting the specified range

What range are you achieving?

Under what conditions, and in what environment are you testing?

What "specified range" are you referring to?

[hari911]

awneil said:

What range are you achieving?

We didn't measure it correctly but we are only getting approximately 100 meters.

awneil said:

Under what conditions, and in what environment are you testing?

We did test with 0db as well as 8db with coded PHY, the central device was placed near the window facing outside and the peripheral device was taken outside.

awneil said:

What "specified range" are you referring to?

At least 500 meters?

[awneil]

But where did you see that specification.

Be specific - post a link.

hari911 said:

near the window facing outside

You're sure that it's not some sort of high-attenuation glass ... ?

[hari911]

800 meters in this post

1300 meters in this post

awneil said:

You're sure that it's not some sort of high-attenuation glass ... ?

Yes we were testing with the window open, so is there any chance that it is due to the use of older nRF52840 Preview board instead of the newer DK boards?

[Marjeris Romero]

Hi Hari,

I haven't tested this example in a preview DK myself but as a general rule you should always use the latest hardware when prototyping. The nRF52840 Preview DK have a Engineering B chip on it which is not production ready.

In this blogpost here my colleague recommended using a PCA10056 DK with at least a RevC nordic chip for testing long range.

Best Regards,

Marjeris

[hari911]

Hi,

We will try to test the example code in a nrf52840 DK and will contact you.