Long range between nrf52832 and nrf52840 dongle

[arsh]

Hello, 

We have a physiological monitoring system in production where we used NRF52832 as a peripheral. Connecting this peripheral with Windows bluetooth, we realised that the range is not as much as we had expected. We then experimented with NRF52840 dongle as a central (with USB-D) so that we can connect to multiple peripherals. I wanted to ask the following:

1) We have realised that it is too late to change the nrf board for peripheral, but is there any way we can change the coded phy value on the central i.e. nrf52840 so that when I connect it to NRF52832 peripheral, I can get a longer range? 

Also, I wanted to ask if in the future, we decide to switch the board on our devices from NRF52832 to NRF52840 which seems to have the same form-factor, and then use a NRF52840 dongle as a central, and considering we programmed the firmware correctly, would we get long range? or do we need to add some kinda antenna on either peripheral or central (dongle)? 

Also, please note that peripheral advertise 60 bytes of data everythin 200 mili-seconds (if that is relevant for above) 

In general, we expect to get a range of at least 200 - 300 meters.

Thank you 

Arsh

[Simonr]

Hi

Yes, the Fanstel modules (BT832F and BT840F) seem to be pin to pin compatible with one another, so if you're using the modules you shouldn't have to change the PCB to replace these with one another. I was only referring to our SoCs which are not.

Please note however, that there will be some changes necessary to your application, as the board does not use the same GPIO as the reset pin for instance.

Best regards,

Simon