Bluetooth Mesh Application

[shyam9092]

Hi,

I have the following application in mind: I want to create a bluetooth mesh network, in which one node will broadcast sensor readings, some nodes will be used to hop the data (relay nodes) to expand the coverage of the network, and one node will be used as a gateway to collect the broadcast data and transmit it to another network. 

I have read the Creating custom models document, but I'm not sure how to program the relay nodes, as in how to program them so that they actively scan for packets and when they receive, they understand that it's not meant for them but for a different address node, then eventually sending it to other nodes in the network.  Please guide me on this. 

If I wish to use android application to get the nodes provisioned in the network, what code should be implemented in the node to provide such functionality as I didn't find any relevant section in Creating custom models. 

Also, Online Power Profiler has different roles in BLE settings (Advertising, Advertising (non-con/scan), Connection (Peripheral), Connection (Central)), are these modes relevant to Bluetooth mesh? If yes then according to the application that I described above, can you explain which nodes will be in which modes?

Thanks & Regards,

Shyam Joshi

[Simonr]

Hi

I'm sorry about the late reply, but due to the summer vacation period, we're low on staff and are only now getting to Terje's (who's taking some time off) backlog.

Yes, the nRF Mesh app for Android app can be used to provision/configure the nodes in your Mesh network.

You only need one node to be configurable over the GATT bearer, and that node can forward the configurations to the other nodes in the network.

As for your final question, I'm not sure what you're asking. A node in a mesh network will transmit messages to all other nodes in the mesh network, as that is the concept of a Mesh network. A node will transmit its data to the nodes closest to itself, which will pass on the data to the other nodes in the network until all nodes get the memo.

Best regards,

Simon

[shyam9092]

Simonr said:

You only need one node to be configurable over the GATT bearer, and that node can forward the configurations to the other nodes in the network.

I'm sorry but I didn't quite understand it completely, can you please elaborate? In order to configure a node, we need to provide the node with subscription-publication address and keys for encryption, right? This attributes might be unique to each node, then how can one node pass the configurations?

Simonr said:

. A node in a mesh network will transmit messages to all other nodes in the mesh network, as that is the concept of a Mesh network. A node will transmit its data to the nodes closest to itself, which will pass on the data to the other nodes in the network until all nodes get the memo.

So, how does a node knows that the message it just received is meant for that node only, so it does not broadcast it to the other node and use that message for further processing? Based on opcode/opcode-handler? Based on unicast address of each node?