What range can be expected with an nrf52840 USB dongle scanning for iBeacons

[PVS]

Hello - 

I am evaluating nRF52840 to replace the Bluegiga BLED112 in an older product. I am surprised to get very low range from the nRF52850 USB dongle, barely 10-15 feet. I am using it with nRF Connect app for Desktop on a Mac, via a USB-C adapter. I feel I like I am going something wrong, hence this question.

Additionally, the beacons pop up in the Mac desktop app only after many Start Scan/Stop Scan efforts. A nearby phone running nRF Connect shows these beacons immediately (they have a 3 sec Adv rate).

So maybe, it's not a range issue, but a desktop app issue?

Thanks!

[Kenneth]

Hi,

I assume you are using:
https://www.nordicsemi.com/Software-and-tools/Development-Kits/nRF52840-Dongle

Difficult to say what may be the problem here, I suggest to try a different computer (for instance a different mac, or windows desktop, or even a USB hub) to see if there is any change that cause a difference. If you have more than one dongle, you can also try that. Hopefully with some more information we can try to narrow down the cause.

Best regards,
Kenneth