RE: nRF52840-DK - Long Range ,data rate 125Kbps

Vidar Berg — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 10:51:05 GMT

Hi,

Yes, it will set the output power to +8dBm. I can't think of any other SW changes that would improve range.

RE: nRF52840-DK - Long Range ,data rate 125Kbps

Josh_1 — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 10:08:45 GMT

Hi,

Unfortunately I`m not software expert so I need to verify ,if I want to change the power i need to do it by changing the number "8" below?

+ err_code = sd_ble_gap_tx_power_set(BLE_GAP_TX_POWER_ROLE_ADV, m_advertising.adv_handle, 8);

Do you know if this firmware (8dBm,125Kbps you offer is fit to achieve the best range between the boards?

Thanks

RE: nRF52840-DK - Long Range ,data rate 125Kbps

Vidar Berg — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 09:36:14 GMT

Hi,

You can find the code changes in the diff file included in the zip file. The output power is changed from its default value to +8dBm by the call to sd_ble_gap_tx_power_set() in ble_advertising_start, and the PHY is changed in advertising_init.

diff --git a/examples/ble_central/ble_app_uart_c/main.c b/examples/ble_central/ble_app_uart_c/main.c
index 5c6ffd5..c53297b 100644
--- a/examples/ble_central/ble_app_uart_c/main.c
+++ b/examples/ble_central/ble_app_uart_c/main.c
@@ -116,6 +116,10 @@ static void scan_start(void)
 
     ret = bsp_indication_set(BSP_INDICATE_SCANNING);
     APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);
+
+    //Optional: Change output power
+    ret = sd_ble_gap_tx_power_set(BLE_GAP_TX_POWER_ROLE_SCAN_INIT, 0, 8);
+    APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);
 }
 
 
@@ -164,13 +168,25 @@ static void scan_evt_handler(scan_evt_t const * p_scan_evt)
  */
 static void scan_init(void)
 {
-    ret_code_t          err_code;
-    nrf_ble_scan_init_t init_scan;
+    ret_code_t            err_code;
+    nrf_ble_scan_init_t   init_scan;
+    ble_gap_scan_params_t scan_params;
+
+    memset(&scan_params, 0, sizeof(ble_gap_scan_params_t));
+
+    scan_params.active        = 1;
+    scan_params.interval      = NRF_BLE_SCAN_SCAN_INTERVAL;
+    scan_params.window        = NRF_BLE_SCAN_SCAN_WINDOW;
+    scan_params.timeout       = NRF_BLE_SCAN_SCAN_DURATION;
+    scan_params.filter_policy = BLE_GAP_SCAN_FP_ACCEPT_ALL;
+    scan_params.scan_phys     = BLE_GAP_PHY_CODED;
+    scan_params.extended      = true;
 
     memset(&init_scan, 0, sizeof(init_scan));
 
     init_scan.connect_if_match = true;
     init_scan.conn_cfg_tag     = APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG;
+    init_scan.p_scan_param     = &scan_params;
 
     err_code = nrf_ble_scan_init(&m_scan, &init_scan, scan_evt_handler);
     APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
diff --git a/examples/ble_central/ble_app_uart_c/pca10056/s140/config/sdk_config.h b/examples/ble_central/ble_app_uart_c/pca10056/s140/config/sdk_config.h
index bb9c621..8ff8018 100644
--- a/examples/ble_central/ble_app_uart_c/pca10056/s140/config/sdk_config.h
+++ b/examples/ble_central/ble_app_uart_c/pca10056/s140/config/sdk_config.h
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@
 #endif
 // <o> NRF_BLE_SCAN_BUFFER - Data length for an advertising set. 
 #ifndef NRF_BLE_SCAN_BUFFER
-#define NRF_BLE_SCAN_BUFFER 31
+#define NRF_BLE_SCAN_BUFFER 255
 #endif
 
 // <o> NRF_BLE_SCAN_NAME_MAX_LEN - Maximum size for the name to search in the advertisement report. 
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@
 // <255=> BLE_GAP_PHY_NOT_SET 
 
 #ifndef NRF_BLE_SCAN_SCAN_PHY
-#define NRF_BLE_SCAN_SCAN_PHY 1
+#define NRF_BLE_SCAN_SCAN_PHY 4
 #endif
 
 // <e> NRF_BLE_SCAN_FILTER_ENABLE - Enabling filters for the Scanning Module.
@@ -12394,7 +12394,7 @@
 // <i> Requested BLE GAP data length to be negotiated.
 
 #ifndef NRF_SDH_BLE_GAP_DATA_LENGTH
-#define NRF_SDH_BLE_GAP_DATA_LENGTH 251
+#define NRF_SDH_BLE_GAP_DATA_LENGTH 27
 #endif
 
 // <o> NRF_SDH_BLE_PERIPHERAL_LINK_COUNT - Maximum number of peripheral links. 
@@ -12423,7 +12423,7 @@
 
 // <o> NRF_SDH_BLE_GATT_MAX_MTU_SIZE - Static maximum MTU size. 
 #ifndef NRF_SDH_BLE_GATT_MAX_MTU_SIZE
-#define NRF_SDH_BLE_GATT_MAX_MTU_SIZE 247
+#define NRF_SDH_BLE_GATT_MAX_MTU_SIZE 23
 #endif
 
 // <o> NRF_SDH_BLE_GATTS_ATTR_TAB_SIZE - Attribute Table size in bytes. The size must be a multiple of 4. 
diff --git a/examples/ble_peripheral/ble_app_uart/main.c b/examples/ble_peripheral/ble_app_uart/main.c
index 4d40d21..a42a8c7 100644
--- a/examples/ble_peripheral/ble_app_uart/main.c
+++ b/examples/ble_peripheral/ble_app_uart/main.c
@@ -616,12 +616,15 @@ static void advertising_init(void)
     init.advdata.include_appearance = false;
     init.advdata.flags              = BLE_GAP_ADV_FLAGS_LE_ONLY_LIMITED_DISC_MODE;
 
-    init.srdata.uuids_complete.uuid_cnt = sizeof(m_adv_uuids) / sizeof(m_adv_uuids[0]);
-    init.srdata.uuids_complete.p_uuids  = m_adv_uuids;
-
-    init.config.ble_adv_fast_enabled  = true;
-    init.config.ble_adv_fast_interval = APP_ADV_INTERVAL;
-    init.config.ble_adv_fast_timeout  = APP_ADV_DURATION;
+    init.advdata.uuids_complete.uuid_cnt = sizeof(m_adv_uuids) / sizeof(m_adv_uuids[0]);
+    init.advdata.uuids_complete.p_uuids  = m_adv_uuids;
+
+    init.config.ble_adv_fast_enabled      = true;
+    init.config.ble_adv_fast_interval     = APP_ADV_INTERVAL;
+    init.config.ble_adv_fast_timeout      = APP_ADV_DURATION;
+    init.config.ble_adv_primary_phy       = BLE_GAP_PHY_CODED;
+    init.config.ble_adv_secondary_phy     = BLE_GAP_PHY_CODED;
+    init.config.ble_adv_extended_enabled  = true;
     init.evt_handler = on_adv_evt;
 
     err_code = ble_advertising_init(&m_advertising, &init);
@@ -687,6 +690,10 @@ static void advertising_start(void)
 {
     uint32_t err_code = ble_advertising_start(&m_advertising, BLE_ADV_MODE_FAST);
     APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
+
+    //Optional: Change output power
+    err_code = sd_ble_gap_tx_power_set(BLE_GAP_TX_POWER_ROLE_ADV, m_advertising.adv_handle, 8);
+    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
 }

RE: nRF52840-DK - Long Range ,data rate 125Kbps

Josh_1 — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 08:35:37 GMT

Hi,

It seem that now it work and when connection established both LED 1 are constant blink.

How I can find in the code the power level and how you configure the data rate (125Kbps) in the code.

Thanks

RE: nRF52840-DK - Long Range ,data rate 125Kbps

Vidar Berg — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 06:46:07 GMT

Strange. Can you check what the debug log says after you've programmed both kits? You can view the debug log from the console output in SES (should display automatically when you start a debug session).

RE: nRF52840-DK - Long Range ,data rate 125Kbps

Josh_1 — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 13:10:13 GMT

Thanks Vidar!

I flashed the firmware you suggested , I want to test the range between two nRF52840-DK in the filed,

What I can see after flashing "ble_app_uart" is LED 1 Blinking and "ble_app_uart_c" also LED 1 Blinking.

Please advise how I can see a connection and disconnection between the two nRF52840-DK when I moving away from each other.

Thanks

RE: nRF52840-DK - Long Range ,data rate 125Kbps

Vidar Berg — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 09:56:30 GMT

Hi,

I have made a modified version of the ble_app_uart and ble_app_uart_c projects which advertise/connects with CODED PHY and use +8dBm. You can find it here: https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/40476/unable-to-convert-to-long-range-after-looking-at-umpteen-examples--/157300#157300

Regards,

Vidar