Increasing BLE range for NRF52832 based gateway

[Charadhar Rddy]

I have a doubt regarding usage of NRF52832.

We have a product based on NRF52832 (Lets call it A), for which we are trying to develop a gateway communication device based on NRF52832 (B). This gateway will communicate with our product A and work with the internet. The problem is A's design is fixed and already we have it out in the market, so we can not change the HW design of that. Currently using a smartphone, we are getting a range of 3-4 meters through the enclosures for communication. Now is it possible to use a powerful antenna on the gateway side to increase this range, or is that something which needs to be done on both sides of the hw? We are looking for a range close to 15 meters

I have already checked regd. usage of NRF52840 in the gateway, but since our A is based on BLE4.2, I am not sure if this will actually lead to any increase in the range using BLE5 features. Please clarify on this also if possible.

We use A as server and B as client

[awneil]

Have you checked where the limiting factor is?

depending on that, increasing Tx power might help - and that's a software-only change (assuming you're not already at max)

Charadhar Rddy said:

is it possible to use a powerful antenna

You mean a higher gain antenna.

Yes, that is possible - assuming that you've provided an external antenna connection ...

Apart from money, the cost of increasing antenna gain is usually that they become more directional.

This applies to any antenna - not specific to BLE.

Charadhar Rddy said:

but since our A is based on BLE4.2, I am not sure if this will actually lead to any increase in the range

You certainly won't be able to take advantage of the BLE 5 range enhancements.

Check the specifications to see if there is any enhancement in Tx power and/or Rx sensitivity - that would help (like a "better" antenna).

[Charadhar Rddy]

Hi Awneil, I meant to ask is it possible to use an antenna only on the B(gateway) side, not A side and still be able to get better range for communication between A and B?

[awneil]

Yes.

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