topic Re: Practical range of Bluetooth BLE 4.1/4.2 using KW3x/4x? in Kinetis Microcontrollers

Practical range of Bluetooth BLE 4.1/4.2 using KW3x/4x?

mjbcswitzerland — Wed, 22 May 2019 10:52:01 GMT

Hi All

Has anyone practical experience with the range achieved using BLE with a KW3x/4x and in-circuit antenna (as on the freedom boards)?

The programmable transmitter output power is up to 3.5dBm, which corresponds to about 2.2mW and BLE class 3 max. 1mW) is recommended for 1m range. BLE class 2 (max. 2.5mW) is recommended for up to 10m range.

This means that it should be able to do class 3 and class 2, up to maybe 7m.

Can this be confirmed as practical or can it do longer distances or is limited to less ?

Thanks

Regards

Mark

Re: Practical range of Bluetooth BLE 4.1/4.2 using KW3x/4x?

stephanie_m — Thu, 23 May 2019 01:01:03 GMT

Hello,

To guarantee a practical distance it's is not as that easy as it will depend of your environment, how much noise there is on it, how it's your hardware designed, if it is using a PA, your software configuration, etc.

Sorry for the inconveniences this might cause you.

Regards,

Estephania

Re: Practical range of Bluetooth BLE 4.1/4.2 using KW3x/4x?

mjbcswitzerland — Mon, 27 May 2019 08:34:01 GMT

I have tested the HEXIWEAR using KW40 with no PA and small on-board antenna and get about 8m before it can't connect any more.

Unfortunately I can't yet test data transfer since the HEXIWARE that I have doesn't manage to communicate with its iPhone app after connecting (even at 0.5m).

Has anyone references from Freedom board tests since this is the HW reference of interest?

Regards

Mark

PS. I will do my one Freedom board tests when they arrive....

Re: Practical range of Bluetooth BLE 4.1/4.2 using KW3x/4x?

stephanie_m — Mon, 27 May 2019 18:04:09 GMT

Hello,

The only available information are the applications notes in this link . You can also try using the Connectivity_Test to perform some PER tests on your device.

Regards,

Estephania