ESP32-WROOM-32 + 18650 battery holder. Very pool BLE signal

[minzie101]

Hi,

I have a couple of boards like this:


I'm using the ESP32 as the server and nRF-Connect as client.
My problem is that when I put my body between the ESP&NRF the data stops arriving. Even without any obstacles the NRF-CONNECT fails connecting to the ESP when more then ~5 meters.

I've tried using 18650 battery, tried using USB power from the PC and also USB power from external Powerbank (5V 2A).

I've also tried increasing the transmission power from 3db to 9db with these commands but the data still fails to pass through my body.

Code: Select all

  // Create the BLE Device
  ...
  
  BLEDevice::init("My ESP32 BLE");

  esp_ble_tx_power_set(ESP_BLE_PWR_TYPE_DEFAULT, ESP_PWR_LVL_P7);
  esp_ble_tx_power_set(ESP_BLE_PWR_TYPE_ADV, ESP_PWR_LVL_P7);
  
  ...

I'm wondering if its a flaw in the hardware design of this board or maybe the WROOM-32 antenna.

Thanks in advance for any kind of guidance, I'm clueless at this point


Roman

[OutOfLine]

I have used a couple of similar boards and had similar problems: I was using ESP-NOW to synchronize musical instruments based on different ESP32 boards, but the boards with 18650
had very poor reception and used much more power when sending than other boards. I had the impression that the cause was 18650 contacts and battery sitting very close and right below the antenna. I did not try bluetooth, btw. So I *do* suspect a flaw in hardware design.