NRF52840 + PHY_CODED + Android : Possible?

[marchefeu]

Hi,

I have a project that need to use a long range bluetooth communication with an Android smartphone or tablet

I use for test a tablet Lenovo Tab M8 TB8505F, NRF Connect says it was fully compatible with Bluetooth Low Energy: High speed and Long range is supported.

I have download project nRF5_SDK_15.2.0_mod.zip found in this post.

When I flash example ble_app_uart to DK board, the tablet doesn't detect it. But when I replace the BLE_GAP_PHY_CODED by BLE_GAP_PHY_1MBPS, project works fine.

init.config.ble_adv_primary_phy = BLE_GAP_PHY_1MBPS; // BLE_GAP_PHY_CODED;
init.config.ble_adv_secondary_phy = BLE_GAP_PHY_1MBPS; // BLE_GAP_PHY_CODED;

The range are better but not sufficient for my project.

is someone already realized a communication using PHY_CODED with a phone? However, what is wrong in this example?

Regards

Pascal

[awneil]

marchefeu said:

nRF5_SDK_15.2.0

That's rather old - Current SDK version is 17.0.2

[marchefeu]

I work on version 17.0.2, program work but not with phy codec , tablet doesn't see it.

I have tested with SDK 15.2.0 or 17.0.2, Android device doesn't detect it. (or it's Nrf Connect that didn't see it...)

[Jared]

marchefeu said:

yes, smartphone doesn't see nrf52840 with PHY CODED.

 Which smartphone are you using?

Regarding your project, you should also add extended advertising in the advertising init routine: 

    init.config.ble_adv_extended_enabled  = true;

And consider increasing the TX power after the advertising has been started:

    err_code = sd_ble_gap_tx_power_set(BLE_GAP_TX_POWER_ROLE_ADV, m_advertising.adv_handle, 8);

    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

Try to diff your project with the working CODED PHY example that is shared in this post.

 

regards

Jared 

[marchefeu]

Hi Jared, 

Jared said:

 Which smartphone are you using?

For the moment I only have a tablet fully compatible BLE (screenshot below, tq awneil). I have tested all my smartphones with BT 5 but none is compatible with PHY CODED. 

Jared said:

Try to diff your project with the working CODED PHY example that is shared in this post.

I have already tested the ble_app_uart use with SDK 15.2.0_mod, but I have the same problem. Tablet doesn't see it. This SDK has several years. I think SDK 17.0.2 was corrected to working in long range, no?

Anyway, the same project with the two different SDK, gave me the same result: not detectable by tablet.

I will search a new smartphone to check if it's not my tablet has a problem. 

Regards

Pascal

[Jared]

Hi,

Which revision is the development kit that you use? 

[marchefeu]

Hi,

PCA10056 - 2.0.1

Firmware Version: J-Link OB-SAM3U128-V2-NordicSemi compiled Feb 2 2021 16:47:20
DLL Version: 7.20`
Hardware Version: V1.00
Target Voltage: 3.300
Device "NRF52840_XXAA" selected.

[Jared]

Hi,

So you're using the correct HW revision as anything before rev 1.0.0 doesn't support this feature. However, I tested the long range example myself and had to go to Settings->Scanner and turn on Compatibility mode in the app, to see the peripheral advertising. Do the same and try to restart the scanning and see if you can see the device advertising now?

regards

Jared 

[marchefeu]

Hi, 

Compatibility mode is ON and I don't see Nordic board...  with PHY_CODED and PHY_2MBPS

(ON er OFF it's identical)

br

Pascal

[Jared]

Then I'm not sure if the phone/tablet you're using supports CODED PHY. Can you please confirm that you've tested with the example I linked in an earlier reply? Again, I have recently tested this myself with an Android phone and that example saw the peripheral advertising on nRF Connect for Android.

Note that even though the tablet supports BLE 5 it doesn't necessarily mean that it supports all the features of BLE 5. 

[marchefeu]

Jared said:

Note that even though the tablet is supports BLE 5 it doesn't necessarily mean that it supports all the features of BLE 5. 

I think like you... manufacturer set fake information concerning BLE.

Now I have to buy a compatible phone