Hi Dialog,
We've get the official software, it's great !
Then we'v tested two cases (FOUR_DBM and MAX_POWER). The testing mobile phone can get expected RSSI when it is very close to the antenna, the power profiler output is perfect too, so the RF output power level is OK, but the range test result is still not good.
In same condition (Advertising with 100ms interval) and same place(Office building), the longest outdoor distance is obviously shorter than our customized DA14580 beacon module (without range extender, use small PCB antenna, 0dbm output,) and other LE USB dongle (Based on other company LE chip, without range extender, use small PCB antenna, 4dbm power output).
Could you tell us the possible reason? Or the "DA14585 Range Extender Daughter Board" is just a demo or prototype, need customer to design, test and optimize?
Thanks in advance!
BR/Peter
Hi Peter Luo,
Well, the range of the board reaches up to 300 meters in the line of sight and with no obstacles with an outdoor measurement, can you give us an estimation about the range that you are testing (line of sight and no obstacles since this will give you an proper range estimation) ? Also can you make sure that the FEM is properly enabled, for example check the RSSI on the phone between two different settings and check if that value changes when the settings are altered (just to make sure that the FEM is properly enabled). Also the place where you are performing the experiments is quite crucial, since in a closed space there are reflections that can alter the range and performance of a wireless device.
Thanks MT_dialog
Hi Dialog,
Thank you very much for your so quickly response!
I am on business trip now, will do test later, and return you the result at once!
Thank you again!
BR/Peter
Hi Dialog,
Sorry for so later reply !
Today, we've finished the range test finally.
我们把DA14585 extender委员会(最大发射功率水平), XX 4dbm usb dongle and XX 8dbm board on same position without any obstacles, then move a iPad and mobile phone as far as possible until they can''t receive any beacon if it move forward more 1 meter to test the longest distance.
The difference is obviously, the longest distance order is :
XX 8dbm board > DA14585 extender > XX 4dbm usb dongle.
Inside the office building, the longest distance order is :
XX 8dbm board > XX 4dbm usb dongle > DA14585 extender
According to test result, especially, the capability of through wall of DA14585 extender seems weak, it is a problem for us.
Maybe our testing way not perfect, we'll capture the air wireless wave of I, Q signals to analysis the reason if we've time in future.
Now our many projects are based on DA1458x, in future, some projects need longer range, we hope we can still use DA1458x series.
Thank you very much !
BR/Peter
Hi Peter Luo,
Well, measuring the range with obstacles isn't a quite reliable way to measure, since reflections due to obstacles can affect the signal and provide peculiar results, also can you please mention an estimation of the maximum distance that the range extender could achieve in your experiments in open space in order have a clear view ? Also please make sure that you have properly enabled the FEM and the changes that you apply are affecting the application, for example you can change the settings in your sw from MAX_POWER to a less power configuration and measure the RSSI via a phone and check if the RSSI on the phone is changing depending on your settings (that way you will be aware that you are configuring the FEM properly).
Thanks MT_dialog
Hi Dialog,
我们确认正确启用了有限元,RSSI value is right as expected when the testing devices is close to FEM or with 100 meters distance.
The estimation of the maximum distance of DA14585 range extender in open space is about 250~300 meters, and the other XX 8dbm board is about 50~80 meters more longer.
Although the maximum distance in open space is important, and 250~300 meters maybe good enough, the capability of through wall is important too, especially in house.
We'll analysis the quality of signal in future.
Thank you very much !
BR/Peter
Hi Peter Luo,
Well in open space your estimation is quite the same as our expected range as mentioned above, regarding the indoor tests, this is quite tricky to measure as mentioned since obstacles might affect the result due to reflections of the signal. Something that also affects the performance is the positioning of the range extender, since it uses a printed antenna the device will perform best when the daughterboard is standing, also the other modules that you are comparing with, do they have an external antenna or they are also using a printed one ? Anyway, if you have any results from further tests please fell free to share, also can you also share the model (iPad/Android) device that you are using to your experiment in order to check if we can have a similar setup and make some tests ?
Thanks MT_dialog
Hi Dialog,
I left the DA14585 range extender and other XX 8dbm board in my car with door closed in our underground parking garage, the difference is more obviously.
The other XX 8dbm board uses a printed antenna as DA14585 range extender, two boards are standing and printed antenna is one same side, the distance between two board is about 30cm.
We use a iPad Air and special mobile phone with strong receiving sensitivity, the test software is LightBlue.
Thank you !
BR/Peter
Hi Peter Luo,
Thank you for the feedback, i will let you know if anything comes up from the testing.
Best Regards MT_dialog