AOA/AOD using nRF52833

[Ajit]

Hi

For Direction Finding I am refering following link.

developer.nordicsemi.com/.../README.html
developer.nordicsemi.com/.../README.html

While going through above link, I am getting following queries.

1. Is there any Antenna Matrix provided by Nordic Semi? If not, Please suggest any other Antenna Matrix that can be used with nRF52833.
2. Is there any API support given for AOA/AOD with the SDK? (Just to confirm, I have checked other questions related to AOA/AOD on forum, found that still there is no API support)

Best Regards,
Ajit

[Kenneth]

Hi,

You can find project in the nRF Connect SDK that show example project for both beacon and locator:
https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrf/samples/bluetooth/direction_finding_connectionless_tx/README.html 
https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrf/samples/bluetooth/direction_finding_connectionless_rx/README.html 

The example project along with the documentation for the direction api here:
https://docs.zephyrproject.org/apidoc/latest/direction_8h.html 

There is a also a whitepaper that describe direction finding:
https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/nwp_036/WP/nwp_036/intro.html

There are module makers that are providing aoa kits, using nRF devices:
https://www.insightsip.com/products/bluetooth-smart-modules/isp1907 
https://www.u-blox.com/en/product/xplr-aoa-1-kit 
https://www.nordicsemi.com/News/2021/03/IOSEAs-SEAgnal-proprietary-hardware-software-employs-nRF52833 
(and more to come)

Hope that helps,
Kenneth

[Zihao]

Just to confirm, as of today, is there a comprehensive process to obtain both AoA and AoD values? ( AoA and AoD are equally significant)   I've found several related posts, but they're from two or even three years ago. 

I have read the following links:

developer.nordicsemi.com/.../README.html
developer.nordicsemi.com/.../README.html

However, I can't find an example with a specific Antenna Matrix so I'm confused on how to start an AoA/AoD project with nRF52833. As of today, is there a demo that runs the full process of AoA and AoD value estimation using a specific Antenna Matrix?

Yours,

Zihao

[tesc]

Hi,

In general, the direction finding samples in nRF Connect SDK are compatible with e.g. the ISP1907-AOA-DK from Insight. We do not provide angle resolution algorithms, nor tutorials or guides for how to develop one, as this is a highly complex task which is specific to the antenna array being used.

You can make your own antenna array and algorithms (for that specific antenna array), or potentially buy the ISP1907-AOA-DK and build your own algorithms for that one.

Alternatively you can buy a package with both antennas and algorithms, like the offerings from u-Blox.

We support the entire Bluetooth part of the puzzle with the SoC, the Bluetooth controller and the Bluetooth host fully implemented.

Regards,
Terje

[Zihao]

Hello,

Thank you for your response!

Yes, I previously looked into the ISP1907-AOA-DK from Insight. However, based on the tutorials, it seems to only involve AoA and does not cover AoD. As I mentioned earlier, AoA and AoD are equally significant for my project, so Insight may not meet my project's requirements.

Regarding your mention of U-Box, I had previously found the BMD-360, which supports both AoA and AoD. However, I couldn't find the package that includes both antennas and algorithms. Could you provide more information on this?

Once again, thank you for your assistance!

Yours,

Zihao

[tesc]

Hi,

Yes, you are right the ISP1907-AOA-DK is for AOA only (as is evident also from the name.)

Please contact u-Blox directly for their offerings. Since one option is to use the arrays with your own algorithms, I would expect them not to sell array and algorithm together as a package.

Regards,
Terje

[Zihao]

OK I got it. Thanks a lot for your reply.