Bluetooth Range and number of data points

[vkadal]

I need to collect data from approximately 20000 points. I want to form a BLE mesh network and collect the data. The sensors may be buried below the ground level about 30 to 50 CM deep, and the sensor will be kept in side a concrete / brickwork / rigid PVC / steel chamber. ( The selection of suitable chamber is in our choice) The next data point will be within 5 meters. 

Can your Bluetooth devices work under this condition?

[vkadal]

Thanks for the detailed reply.  As you suggest, I can use a rigid plastic enclosure and avoid moisture. So the range should be as required. The data rate is very slow. May be, one or two data per hour per device. And I can reduce the number of data points to reduce the congestion. That will not be an  issue. 

Can you suggest me the right part number to do a POC? I have nRF 9160 DK with me 

[Edvin]

For Bluetooth Mesh I would recommend the nRF52833 or the nRF52840, depending on your application size. It is easy to port the application between the two, so you should start with either of those DKs. 

When you have an application that is working, you can port it to the nRF52840 Dongle if you like (less expensive and smaller, which can be used for a larger scale of testing).

Best regards,

Edvin

[vkadal]

Thanks for the reply

[vkadal]

Al ready have nrF 9610 DK. Can that be used ? 

[Edvin]

The nRF9160 is a cellular chip. Of course, it could be used, but that would be cellular data connected to a cell tower using a SIM card and all that. 

The nRF9160 DK does in fact have an nRF52840 chip as well as the nRF9160 chip, but the pin routing on that DK works a bit different, so I would recommend that you get hold of either an nRF52840 DK or an nRF52833 DK. You could use the nRF52832 chip (and DK) as well, but if you are starting development now, I believe the nRF52833 is the better choise. But I only work with technical stuff, and not pricing, so you can of course look it up. 

So you probably could use the 9160 DK, but it is not straight forward, and I am not familiar with that DK. I suggest that you get hold of one of the nRF52 DKs.

Best regards,

Edvin

[vkadal]

Thanks for the recommendations