Better wireless range with nRF52810

[KKaushik]

Hello,

I am working on a project based on the nRF52810 custom board, I need to use several slave nodes to communicate to the gateway node/ server.

I need to improve the wireless communication range for nRF52810 while maintaining power usage as it runs on two coin cells. Need to keep it on sleep mode most of the time.

What is the best way to achieve a better range (about >40-50m inside the building), with low power usage.

Thanks

[Sigurd Hellesvik]

Hi

In a normal house (with internal walls), we approximate the wireless range for our nRF52 series at ca 10m for low power usage.

So 40-50m is very far.
To span entire houses, I would suggest a mesh network, such as Matter, Thread or ZigBee.
These are developed for home automation, and covers most indoor use-cases.

In these networks, you need relays connected to power, for example in the form of wireless light-bulbs. But since most houses hava access to wall-electricity, this is usually not an issue.

Recently we released the nRF21540, which increases range. See this blog on Comparing range with Bluetooth Low Energy of the nRF21540 DK and the nRF52840 DK.

Does this answer your question?

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik

[KKaushik]

Hello,

Thanks for the reply.

Firstly, Sorry for not being clear I'm not asking for in-house, more like an open hallway with pillars and no wall closed area, then would it be possible for at least a 30m range with nRF52810 and nRF52832?

Secondly, Cost-effectiveness is also a factor, so after researching I found that nRF52832 and nRF52810 is the best option. If I to put factors in priority order:  Power Efficiency > Cost-Effectiveness > Range.

But as you suggested for the mesh network, does the nRF52 series support the mesh network? Could you please refer to some beginner guide for it? And if it requires relays to extend the data transmission then I don't think it's a good option.

Thanks,

[Sigurd Hellesvik]

Hi

KKaushik said:

Firstly, Sorry for not being clear I'm not asking for in-house, more like an open hallway with pillars and no wall closed area, then would it be possible for at least a 30m range with nRF52810 and nRF52832?

It could work yes. However, many factors can impact range, so it is hard to say something for sure.
To know the possible range,i recommend that you acquire some of our Development Kits and test it in your environment.

KKaushik said:

But as you suggested for the mesh network, does the nRF52 series support the mesh network? Could you please refer to some beginner guide for it? And if it requires relays to extend the data transmission then I don't think it's a good option.

Our nRF52 series support mesh networks.
I would start at our protocol documentations for the nRF Connect SDK.
Yes, mesh networks require relays.

But as you say, if you do not want relays, mesh will not be a good option.

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik