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Can nrf52840 work with ESP32 in Bluetooth low energy application?

davidm

I want to create a Bluetooth LE application, one peripheral and multiple (2- 5) centrals.For centrals I will use nrf52840 boards, but for peripheral, I was thinking of using ESP32 because I want to use it as a gateway to the cloud.

But my questions are

  1. First is it possible for nrf52840 to work with ESP32? (It seems like ESP32 uses Bluetooth V4.2)
  2. If yes are there any limitations? can the range be affected,comparing if I would have used nrf52 on both ends?
  • 0

    Hi David

    1. Yes, this will be possible, as the ESP32 is BLE compatible. We don't have any example code for the ESP32 devices though, so you'll have to find that part yourself. We do have a bunch of BLE peripheral examples compatible with nRF devices though, which might be a good starting point for your peripheral device.

    2. Well, you'll be limited to using BLE 4.2 specifications. While BLE 5.0 supports both 2Mbps data rate and Coded PHY(Long-range mode), which would be available when using two nRF52840/nRF52833. You'll have to find out whether this is something your application needs or not.

    Best regards,

    Simon

  • 0 in reply to Simonr

    Thank you, Simon,

    In my case I care about the range, not data rate, I expect the two communicating devices to be  30 meters apart. Since I am using nrf52840 as central, I wonder if I would be able to take advantage of its BLE 5.0 long range, even though the other end is 4.2.

  • 0

    Hi David

    No, both devices need to support BLE 5.0 in order to communicate using Coded PHY (Long Range). What kind of environment are these devices going to operate in (as in, are there a lot of Bluetooth activity or none at all)? Will they be in the line of sight of each other, or will there be physical walls between them?

    Best regards,

    Simon

  • 0 in reply to Simonr

    Hi Simon

    There won't be a lot of Bluetooth activity. But the environment will have physical barriers/walls.What are your thoughts in this case?

    Is it possible for nrf52 to operate in long-range and ESP32 to operate in the regular range supported by V4.2?

  • +1

    Hi David

    Depending on the material and number of the walls/barriers, you should be able to communicate at 30 meters between the two devices, but I urge you to test this in the environment before saying anything for certain.

    It will not be possible to communicate with a BLE 4.2. device using Coded PHY (long-range) in BLE 5.0. You can transfer data over long-range between two nRF52 devices and then transfer from one of those to the ESP32 by switching to 1MBPS PHY which will make it able to communicate with the ESP32. But the ESP32 will not able to communicate with a BLE long-range device in the Coded PHY.

    Best regards,

    Simon

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