Mesh networks range testing best hardware

[Vladimir Aparin]

We going to test the link range of mesh networks (BLE mesh the first and Thread later) inside the building - between the floors.

It's possible the hop between the floor or two (best case)?

Because it's depends on a link budget, we need to understand, what's the best hardware (evaluation board) for these test?

We can use next evaluation boards for BLE Mesh: Thingy:52, nRF52-DK, nRF52840-DK, nRF52840-Dongle 

And the nRF52840-DK and nRF52840-Dongle for Thread.

I know that the antenna gain in nRF52840-DK is about the null (I asked it in other topic about some months ago). I see that the Thingy:52 has the chip antenna with +0.5 dB gain maximum. As i understand nRF52-DK should have the same antenna gain. I don't know the antenna gain of nRF52840-Dongle.

What can you recommend to achive the longest link range for BLE mesh and for Thread case?

[Mttrinh]

Hi,

It's possible the hop between the floor or two (best case)?

Do you mean like having one node on 1st floor and another node on 2nd floor, and having them send messages between each other? Or having a mesh network covering multiple floors?

To achieve the longest range I would recommend you to use the nRF52840-DK for testing. The DK already have an onboard debugger, which makes it easier for you to program the boards. Also, examples from our SDKs are built for the nRF52840-DK(PCA10056). It is possible to use the nRF52840-Dongle but will require more work to set it up.

[Mttrinh]

So it works on the Thingy:52 but not nRF52840-DK? How do you test this, are you sending a message between the node to test the range? Does it work on with the DK if they are next to each other?

Also communication between floors depends on the distance between the floors and what kind of material the floors are made of.

[Vladimir Aparin]

No, we just doesn't tested it. Because these evaluation boards have so much different: different schematics (LED and Button is a required interface for demo), different SoC. I think, that the project can be ported on different EVM, but we don't do it.

We know that the material and thikness of wall/celling are most important.

We want to know which evaluation board will provide the best link budget for mesh network.

[Mttrinh]

Like I mentioned in my first answer, to achieve the longest range(If this is what you mean by link budget) the nRF52840-DK would be best.