BLE HW capability and SW Support

[NIRMAL]

With an Objective to test mulitple DUTs that provides BLE4.2 data, We are in process of procuring the nRF52840 Dongle.

I would like to understand if i will be able to do the following. 

1. Is there an utility SW to help me to begin with.

2. Are there drivers to help me build a custom Vi using LabVIEW?. I would need to read and write BLE 4.2 data to multiple DUTs.

3. What is the maximum number of simultaneous that i can have on BLE4.2 (ideally on this device)

4. Can i use an external antenna if by any means if feasible.

[Simonr]

Hi Nirmal

1. Could you please be more specific on what kind of "utility Software" you're after, and what tests you want to conduct?

2. Nordic does not by default support this, so you'll have to make this yourself (or I can set this case to public mode and hope that someone in the community is willing to share). You could check out NI's PC-Based Measurement and Control Systems, as they have products that allow you to toggle, set, and reset GPIOs using LabVIEW. But I'm not entirely positive this is what you're after.

3. That depends if you're using it as a host or client. A host can support up to 7 simultaneously connected devices, while a client can only support one connection at a time.

4. The Dongle cannot use an external antenna. For that, you will have to use a Development Kit.

Best regards,

Simon

[NIRMAL]

Hi Simon,

Thanks for help.

Please find below my responses.

1. I have two requirements here.

a. On one side, i need to be a client sending specific data (that represents pressure, temeprature, light intensity etc)

b. On the Other Side, i need to be a BLE device, where i connect to cleints to receive these data.

And, I am looking to do it all programatically from LabVIEW based software.

2. I understand Nordic doesn't provide LabVIEW drivers. I shall check out the link shared.

However, please let know if you have any idea on drivers that i can use on Windows 10 that could help me on this.

3. Thanks. 

4. Thanks again. Can you help me with model number that could act as simultaneous client (i dont have a specific number. but, i would say as manya as poosible).

[Simonr]

Hi

1. Yes, this should be feasible, but I don't think I can help with the LabVIEW software.

2. The pc-ble-driver on our GitHub might be useful to you.

3. A host can support up to 7 simultaneously connected devices, while a client can only support one connection at a time. This is not specific to the nRF52 Dongle, but to all BLE 4.2 devices. What a client can do, is advertise openly to all nearby hosts (centrals), and share the data within its advertising packet to all listening hosts, however, it can only connect to one at a time.

4. The nRF52840 DK should be able to use external antennas.

Best regards,

Simon

[NIRMAL]

Hi Simon,

Thanks for the information

I have download the pc-ble-driver and see if that could help me.