DWM1001-DEV with nrf scanning to reduce power consumption

[johndoeaa1]

Hello,

I'm working on a project related to DWM1001-DEV at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to build a demo of the product that uses UWB. However, I'm having several troubles with SEGGER. The first and most important is finding an nrf example that scans for beacons. I checked the documentation https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.nordic.infocenter.sdk5.v11.0.0%2Fble_sdk_app_multi_activity.html&cp=5_0_0_4_2_2_25_1&anchor=ble_sdk_scan_beacon, but it seems to be wrong as the phrase claims:

You can find the source code and project file of the example in the following folder: <InstallFolder>\examples\ble_peripheral\experimental_ble_app_multiactivity_beacon\hrs_scanner

the path <InstallFolder>\examples\ble_peripheral\experimental_ble_app_multiactivity_beacon\hrs_scanner does not exist.

What shoudl I do?

[johndoeaa1]

I'm also working on the ticket https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/78650/using-nrf-ble-with-dwm1001-dev, but the developer seems to have stopped responding. It's just been 2 days, so I don't blame him, but we have been messaging daily, and we're in a little hurry.

[Einar Thorsrud]

Hi,

In practice all BLE central examples implement scanning, but they may be too complex if you just want to receive and dump any advertisement packets you can use this as a reference:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdint.h>
#include <stdbool.h>
#include "nordic_common.h"
#include "app_error.h"
#include "app_uart.h"
#include "ble_db_discovery.h"
#include "app_timer.h"
#include "app_util.h"
#include "bsp_btn_ble.h"
#include "ble.h"
#include "ble_gap.h"
#include "ble_hci.h"
#include "nrf_sdh.h"
#include "nrf_sdh_ble.h"
#include "nrf_sdh_soc.h"
#include "ble_nus_c.h"
#include "nrf_ble_gatt.h"
#include "nrf_pwr_mgmt.h"
#include "nrf_ble_scan.h"

#include "nrf_log.h"
#include "nrf_log_ctrl.h"
#include "nrf_log_default_backends.h"


#define APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG    1                                       /**< Tag that refers to the BLE stack configuration set with @ref sd_ble_cfg_set. The default tag is @ref BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG_DEFAULT. */
#define APP_BLE_OBSERVER_PRIO   3                                       /**< BLE observer priority of the application. There is no need to modify this value. */

static uint8_t buffer[BLE_GAP_SCAN_BUFFER_EXTENDED_MIN];
static ble_data_t m_scan_buffer = {.p_data = buffer, .len = sizeof(buffer)};

/**@brief Function for handling asserts in the SoftDevice.
 *
 * @details This function is called in case of an assert in the SoftDevice.
 *
 * @warning This handler is only an example and is not meant for the final product. You need to analyze
 *          how your product is supposed to react in case of assert.
 * @warning On assert from the SoftDevice, the system can only recover on reset.
 *
 * @param[in] line_num     Line number of the failing assert call.
 * @param[in] p_file_name  File name of the failing assert call.
 */
void assert_nrf_callback(uint16_t line_num, const uint8_t * p_file_name)
{
    app_error_handler(0xDEADBEEF, line_num, p_file_name);
}


/**@brief Function for handling the Nordic UART Service Client errors.
 *
 * @param[in]   nrf_error   Error code containing information about what went wrong.
 */
static void nus_error_handler(uint32_t nrf_error)
{
    APP_ERROR_HANDLER(nrf_error);
}



/**@brief Function to start scanning. */
static void scan_start(void)
{
    ret_code_t ret;
    
    static ble_gap_scan_params_t scan_params = {0};
    scan_params.extended = 0;
    scan_params.filter_policy = BLE_GAP_SCAN_FP_ACCEPT_ALL;
    scan_params.scan_phys = BLE_GAP_PHY_1MBPS;
    scan_params.interval = 1000; // 625 us units
    scan_params.window = 500;  // 625 us units
    scan_params.timeout = BLE_GAP_SCAN_TIMEOUT_UNLIMITED;
   
    
    ret = sd_ble_gap_scan_start(&scan_params, &m_scan_buffer);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);

    ret = bsp_indication_set(BSP_INDICATE_SCANNING);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);
}





/**@brief Function for handling BLE events.
 *
 * @param[in]   p_ble_evt   Bluetooth stack event.
 * @param[in]   p_context   Unused.
 */
static void ble_evt_handler(ble_evt_t const * p_ble_evt, void * p_context)
{
    ret_code_t            err_code;
    ble_gap_evt_t const * p_gap_evt = &p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt;
    ble_gap_evt_adv_report_t const * p_adv_report = &p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.params.adv_report;

    switch (p_ble_evt->header.evt_id)
    {
        case BLE_GAP_EVT_ADV_REPORT:
            NRF_LOG_INFO("Received advertising report. Data:")
            NRF_LOG_HEXDUMP_INFO(p_adv_report->data.p_data, p_adv_report->data.len); 

            // Resume the scanning.
            UNUSED_RETURN_VALUE(sd_ble_gap_scan_start(NULL, &m_scan_buffer));

            break;

        default:
            break;
    }
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the BLE stack.
 *
 * @details Initializes the SoftDevice and the BLE event interrupt.
 */
static void ble_stack_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    err_code = nrf_sdh_enable_request();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Configure the BLE stack using the default settings.
    // Fetch the start address of the application RAM.
    uint32_t ram_start = 0;
    err_code = nrf_sdh_ble_default_cfg_set(APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG, &ram_start);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Enable BLE stack.
    err_code = nrf_sdh_ble_enable(&ram_start);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Register a handler for BLE events.
    NRF_SDH_BLE_OBSERVER(m_ble_observer, APP_BLE_OBSERVER_PRIO, ble_evt_handler, NULL);
}



/**@brief Function for handling events from the BSP module.
 *
 * @param[in] event  Event generated by button press.
 */
void bsp_event_handler(bsp_event_t event)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    switch (event)
    {
        default:
            break;
    }
}



/**@brief Function for initializing buttons and leds. */
static void buttons_leds_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;
    bsp_event_t startup_event;

    err_code = bsp_init(BSP_INIT_LEDS, bsp_event_handler);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    err_code = bsp_btn_ble_init(NULL, &startup_event);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the timer. */
static void timer_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code = app_timer_init();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the nrf log module. */
static void log_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code = NRF_LOG_INIT(NULL);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    NRF_LOG_DEFAULT_BACKENDS_INIT();
}


/**@brief Function for initializing power management.
 */
static void power_management_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;
    err_code = nrf_pwr_mgmt_init();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}



/**@brief Function for handling the idle state (main loop).
 *
 * @details Handles any pending log operations, then sleeps until the next event occurs.
 */
static void idle_state_handle(void)
{
    if (NRF_LOG_PROCESS() == false)
    {
        nrf_pwr_mgmt_run();
    }
}


int main(void)
{
    // Initialize.
    log_init();
    timer_init();
    buttons_leds_init();
    power_management_init();
    ble_stack_init();

    // Start execution.
    NRF_LOG_INFO("Coded PHY beacon scanner started.");
    scan_start();

    // Enter main loop.
    for (;;)
    {
        idle_state_handle();
    }
}

Regarding the other thread, the application engineer assigned to the case is OoO this week which has caused some delay. I have bumped it and expect you will get a response tomorrow.

[johndoeaa1]

Hello,

Thanks a lot for your answer. However, I had some additional problems when I copied your code and imported the necessary files. The errors I'm getting seems to be in code level inside the nrf_SDK.

I'm using nrf SDK 14.2.0 as that's the default for DWM1001 examples from github.com/.../dwm1001-examples. I tried upgrading it to 17.0.2, but I couldn't get it working with the examples. Though these code-level errors mostly stem from undefined variables. I don't think there's a bug in the SDK, but is there more files I should import? What should I do?

[Einar Thorsrud]

Hi,

There is significant API differences between SDK 17 and SDK 14. You can refer to this code for SDK 14.2. It drops right into the Nordic UART Service Client example projects in the SDK:

/**
 * Copyright (c) 2016 - 2017, Nordic Semiconductor ASA
 * 
 * All rights reserved.
 * 
 * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification,
 * are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
 * 
 * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this
 *    list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
 * 
 * 2. Redistributions in binary form, except as embedded into a Nordic
 *    Semiconductor ASA integrated circuit in a product or a software update for
 *    such product, must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of
 *    conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other
 *    materials provided with the distribution.
 * 
 * 3. Neither the name of Nordic Semiconductor ASA nor the names of its
 *    contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this
 *    software without specific prior written permission.
 * 
 * 4. This software, with or without modification, must only be used with a
 *    Nordic Semiconductor ASA integrated circuit.
 * 
 * 5. Any software provided in binary form under this license must not be reverse
 *    engineered, decompiled, modified and/or disassembled.
 * 
 * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY NORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR ASA "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS
 * OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
 * OF MERCHANTABILITY, NONINFRINGEMENT, AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
 * DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL NORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR ASA OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
 * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
 * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE
 * GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
 * HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
 * LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
 * OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 * 
 */
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdint.h>
#include <stdbool.h>
#include "nordic_common.h"
#include "app_error.h"
#include "app_uart.h"
#include "ble_db_discovery.h"
#include "app_timer.h"
#include "app_util.h"
#include "bsp_btn_ble.h"
#include "ble.h"
#include "ble_gap.h"
#include "ble_hci.h"
#include "nrf_sdh.h"
#include "nrf_sdh_ble.h"
#include "nrf_sdh_soc.h"
#include "nrf_pwr_mgmt.h"
#include "ble_advdata.h"
#include "ble_nus_c.h"
#include "nrf_ble_gatt.h"

#include "nrf_log.h"
#include "nrf_log_ctrl.h"
#include "nrf_log_default_backends.h"


#define APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG    1                                       /**< A tag that refers to the BLE stack configuration we set with @ref sd_ble_cfg_set. Default tag is @ref BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG_DEFAULT. */
#define APP_BLE_OBSERVER_PRIO   3                                       /**< Application's BLE observer priority. You shoulnd't need to modify this value. */

#define SCAN_INTERVAL           0x00A0                                  /**< Determines scan interval in units of 0.625 millisecond. */
#define SCAN_WINDOW             0x0050                                  /**< Determines scan window in units of 0.625 millisecond. */
#define SCAN_TIMEOUT            0x0000                                  /**< Timout when scanning. 0x0000 disables timeout. */


/** @brief Parameters used when scanning. */
static ble_gap_scan_params_t const m_scan_params =
{
    .active   = 1,
    .interval = SCAN_INTERVAL,
    .window   = SCAN_WINDOW,
    .timeout  = SCAN_TIMEOUT,
    #if (NRF_SD_BLE_API_VERSION <= 2)
        .selective   = 0,
        .p_whitelist = NULL,
    #endif
    #if (NRF_SD_BLE_API_VERSION >= 3)
        .use_whitelist = 0,
    #endif
};


/**@brief Function for asserts in the SoftDevice.
 *
 * @details This function will be called in case of an assert in the SoftDevice.
 *
 * @warning This handler is an example only and does not fit a final product. You need to analyze
 *          how your product is supposed to react in case of Assert.
 * @warning On assert from the SoftDevice, the system can only recover on reset.
 *
 * @param[in] line_num     Line number of the failing ASSERT call.
 * @param[in] p_file_name  File name of the failing ASSERT call.
 */
void assert_nrf_callback(uint16_t line_num, const uint8_t * p_file_name)
{
    app_error_handler(0xDEADBEEF, line_num, p_file_name);
}


/**@brief Function to start scanning. */
static void scan_start(void)
{
    ret_code_t ret;

    ret = sd_ble_gap_scan_start(&m_scan_params);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);

    ret = bsp_indication_set(BSP_INDICATE_SCANNING);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);
}


/**@brief Function for handling BLE events.
 *
 * @param[in]   p_ble_evt   Bluetooth stack event.
 * @param[in]   p_context   Unused.
 */
static void ble_evt_handler(ble_evt_t const * p_ble_evt, void * p_context)
{
    ret_code_t            err_code;
    ble_gap_evt_t const * p_gap_evt = &p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt;

    switch (p_ble_evt->header.evt_id)
    {
        case BLE_GAP_EVT_ADV_REPORT:
        {
            ble_gap_evt_adv_report_t const * p_adv_report = &p_gap_evt->params.adv_report;

            err_code = bsp_indication_set(BSP_INDICATE_IDLE);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            NRF_LOG_INFO("Received advertising packet from %02x%02x%02x%02x%02x%02x:",
                     p_adv_report->peer_addr.addr[0],
                     p_adv_report->peer_addr.addr[1],
                     p_adv_report->peer_addr.addr[2],
                     p_adv_report->peer_addr.addr[3],
                     p_adv_report->peer_addr.addr[4],
                     p_adv_report->peer_addr.addr[5]);
            NRF_LOG_HEXDUMP_INFO(p_adv_report->data, p_adv_report->dlen); 
        }break; // BLE_GAP_EVT_ADV_REPORT


        case BLE_GAP_EVT_TIMEOUT:
            if (p_gap_evt->params.timeout.src == BLE_GAP_TIMEOUT_SRC_SCAN)
            {
                NRF_LOG_INFO("Scan timed out.");
                scan_start();
            }
            break;

        default:
            break;
    }
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the BLE stack.
 *
 * @details Initializes the SoftDevice and the BLE event interrupt.
 */
static void ble_stack_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    err_code = nrf_sdh_enable_request();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Configure the BLE stack using the default settings.
    // Fetch the start address of the application RAM.
    uint32_t ram_start = 0;
    err_code = nrf_sdh_ble_default_cfg_set(APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG, &ram_start);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Enable BLE stack.
    err_code = nrf_sdh_ble_enable(&ram_start);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Register a handler for BLE events.
    NRF_SDH_BLE_OBSERVER(m_ble_observer, APP_BLE_OBSERVER_PRIO, ble_evt_handler, NULL);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the nrf log module. */
static void log_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code = NRF_LOG_INIT(NULL);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    NRF_LOG_DEFAULT_BACKENDS_INIT();
}


int main(void)
{
    log_init();
    ble_stack_init();

    NRF_LOG_INFO("Beacon scanner started.");
    scan_start();

    for (;;)
    {
        if (NRF_LOG_PROCESS() == false)
        {
            sd_app_evt_wait();
        }
    }
}

Note that I just put this together very fast, so it is not perfect in any way. In my test it only ran for a second or two due to too much logging in an environment with many advertising packets. But you can take this as a simple reference and adapt to your needs.