Using Bluetooth (BLE) 5

[plajjd]

We are currently using ESP-IDF 3.3, and communicating from ESP32 to an iPad using BLE/GATT. (Using BLE 4.2 on the iPad)

What IDF version is needed to support BLE 5?

We transfer large (1 Meg) files from the iPad to the ESP32 over BLE, and it takes several minutes. I'd like to user BLE 5 on new iPads, hoping that could reduce file transfer time.

Thanks!

Phil.

[chegewara]

esp32 does not support BLE 5. It should be supported in esp32 C3 and S3 and probably in idf 4.5+ or 5.x.
With iOS you can achieve speed about 1MB peer 3 minutes or so.

[plajjd]

I was referencing this article, from Espressif website, that says they were BLE 5 compliant in Dec 2019.

https://www.espressif.com/en/news/BLE_5.0_Certification

However, I can't find information on what IDF version (or other libraries?) are required to comply.

Any info is appreciated.

Phil.

[chegewara]

Well, that certification is only because esp32 is supporting ble mesh.

[plajjd]

When using an iPad with Bluetooth 4.2, and sending data over BLE/GATT, we get an MTU size of 500, and can send a 1 MB file in around 2.5 minutes.

Are you saying that using an iPad with BT 5.0 really won't speed up the transfer at all, since the ESP32 doesn't have hardware for BT 5?

I was hoping maybe that BLE 5 certification meant there would be ways to increase throughput with a new iPad with BLE 5. I was hoping maybe the latest IDF would allow larger MTU (chunk size)?

Phil.

[chegewara]

Yes, this is what i am saying. esp32 is not having hardware to use BT 5, which requires PHY 2Mbps.

I may be wrong, but as far as i know that iOS is not supporting MTU higher than 185, thats why you have such low transfer speed. With android and MTU 500+ you will need about 1 minute to transfer 1MB file.

[plajjd]

Thanks!