Does any of Nordic's BLE devices allow dynamically switching between broadcaster and scanner role?

[Rifat Mahmud]

Instead of central-peripheral relation based cluster, I am planning a linear daisy chain like network model with BLE, where a series of BLE nodes will just relay the information it got from another BLE node. The chain has to be both way.

BLE with Sensor <---> Relay BLE <---> Relay BLE <---> BLE with data processing module.

I am planning to use non-connection mode, only using broadcasting/scanning. My sensor data are small to fit in the small advertising packet.

But, I am not sure, if I can switch the devices' broadcasting and scanning role on the fly via external microcontrollers connected to them or any other method.

Can anybody tell me how to do it if it is possible? And if not, please give an insight to the alternatives.

[Ulrich Myhre]

Hi Rifat,

The S130 (currently in alpha) allows concurrent broadcaster and scanner role and can accomplish this. The S120 (available in production quality) supports non-concurrent broadcaster and scanner, where you can disable and enable the SoftDevice to swap roles.

[Ulrich Myhre]

It really depends what kind of security, reliability and stability you are looking for, but it does indeed look like a mesh topology is a good match for your network. At least if you want the option to expand. I would really consider looking into it for some tips to get started at least! Your relay model is much simpler than the problem that the mesh is trying to solve, so it might be a bit overkill for you is all.