Android and BLE connectivity issues

RE: Android and BLE connectivity issues

Hung Bui — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 14:49:12 GMT

Sorry I mean to test with other nRF51 devices ( when you don't pair, just connect).

We don't have a list of favorite devices as our softdevice (BLE stack) is qualified for Bluetooth Low Energy and it should work with any device that is BLE certificated. We have thousands of user with hundreds of million of product on the market now so in most cases it works fine with any phone.

RE: Android and BLE connectivity issues

brinehart — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 21:01:18 GMT

I have not tested this with nRF52 boards yet.
The main objective of this post is to find suggestions on best/most compatible android devices to try, with their operating systems, and BLE versions.
Does nordic have their go-to or favorite android device that works best for them?

RE: Android and BLE connectivity issues

Hung Bui — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 09:13:19 GMT

I'm not sure what could be wrong with the Blackview phone. However, what you can try is to disable wifi and check if it improves the performance.
If your phone only connect , not pair to the nRF51 module, would it has the same problem that it can't connect to other nRF52 devices ?

Note that connecting to other tablet or phone is not Bluetooth Low Energy, it's Bluetooth classic so it's not really related.

RE: Android and BLE connectivity issues

brinehart — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 23:04:14 GMT

I have found that with the Blackview android device. If the phone is paired with the nrf51 module, the android will eventually be unable see broadcasting or connect to any nrf51 modules, but the android can still see/connect to tablets and any other bluetooth devices. Meanwhile the Samsung tablet connects with no issue while paired.

RE: Android and BLE connectivity issues

brinehart — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 17:36:46 GMT

We have isolated the issue to the central device.
Although not consistent from device to device, most often we are seeing these failures with the Blackview(BV6800-pro).
We have tested using our application and nrfUART. When failing, the Blackview will not see the broadcasting ble modules, and unable to connect. Meanwhile a Samsung(galaxy tab A) tablet, can connect with no issue, however this tablet is seeing a less consistent second issue, that has yet to recreated.
This device to device inconsistency is our main concern.

Finding a predictable consistently operating central device is our key objective.

RE: Android and BLE connectivity issues

Hung Bui — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 12:57:20 GMT

Hi Brine,

To isolate the issue (if it's the issue on the phone or the issue on the Raytak module), could you try testing on a nRF51 development kit. It's a hardware that has been verified by Nordic and can be used as a golden sample.

Which phone model did you see the issue most often ?

How did you do the test on the phone, have you used the nRFConnect app ?