BLE connection problems with some Android devices

[John Henschel Jr]

I'm using nRF5340 to provide Bluetooth connection to other devices. Almost all Android devices connect correctly, for example: Samsung S21, LG G8X, Xiaomi Mi Mix 2.  However, there are devices don't connect, for example: Zen Fone 4, Xiaomi Mi Mix 3. Could you please help me to debug?

[JONATHAN LL]

Hi,

Is it a custom board?

Can you provide a sniffer trace?

Regards,
Jonathan

[Bruno Saraiva]

Hi Jonathan, I'm part of this development group as well.

Can the nRF5340-PDK board be used with the Sniffer tool? If not, maybe the nRF5340-DK?
I looked at the list of boards here and those are not included, although I suspect they have the necessary hardware.
https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-tools/nRF-Sniffer-for-Bluetooth-LE
Regards

Bruno

[JONATHAN LL]

Hi Bruno,

There is no support for the nrf53 in nRF sniffer at the moment. 

You can check out the dongle: Buy Nordic Semiconductor products online - nordicsemi.com


if it is a custom board\device are you using external crystals or the internal ?

Regards,
Jonathan

[Bruno Saraiva]

It is a custom board, but the nRF IC is pre-assembled in a Fanstel BT40E module.
As for sniffing, I'll ask my colleague to check if he has a nRF52840 board at hand and we will get back here, just so that we can have some progress before waiting for the delivery of a dongle.

[JONATHAN LL]

Oki thanks for the update. 

As for reason to why some  phones might not work is because if the clock on the device is on the edge of what is ok and the phone is also somewhat inaccurate then the difference might be to big and the devices are not able to properly communicate.  Sometimes phones use some cheaper components and the tolerances are not as good.  This might be one reason for why Zen Fone 4, Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 do not seem to connect. 

Where you able to test with more than one Zen Fone 4and Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 ?

Regards,
Jonathan