Distance Measurement module without access to one node's firmware

[Henrique]

Hi!

I have an nRF52840dk and a beacon which uses an nRF52832. I don't have access to the beacon's firmware and there's probably no distance measurement configuration in the beacon. In this case, is it possible to use Distance Measurement module to measure the distance between the beacon and the nRF52840DK? I have already taken a look at https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrf/libraries/others/dm.html and the Distance Measurement webinar, but I could not find an answer to my question.

Thanks,

Henrique.

[Edvin]

Hello,

Unfortunately, that is not possible. The Distance Measurement module requires proprietary radio communication both ways, and if the beacon is not programmed to do so, then it will not work. 

It is possilbe to use the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) to make some sense of the distance, but it is very inaccurate. It is more like "yes, I am really close", or "I am probably in the same room" or "it is quite far away". It will not give a good estimate given e.g. in cm or m.

If you want to utilize the distance measurement toolbox, you need both devices to be programmed with it.

Best regards,

Edvin

[Henrique]

Hi Edvin!

Thank you for the fast response, things are clearer now.