Initially Bluetooth was only meant to allow devices within close proximity to send and receive data. In fact, the earliest versions would struggle to reach as much as 100m in the open. Usually the operating range indoors would be closer to 10m. However, there are now newer versions like BLE and Smart that can reach up 1,000m. It is possible to extend this even more though. At Kanda we have a great range of this equipment, including top of the line long range Bluetooth products.
The main things that affect range
There are a number of things that can have an impact on the range that Bluetooth can achieve. The most common ones are:
- Physical obstacles that can block the transmission, including concrete walls
- The power of the antenna
- The output power of the transmitter
- How sensitive the receiver is
How to increase the range
Luckily there are a number of ways you can boost the range. For starters you can choose the latest version of Bluetooth. There are a number of interesting advancements with version 5. For example it has a long range mode that can extend how far the signal can reach by reducing the data rate. It also has a higher max output power so you can use stronger amplifiers to boost the range.
Another thing you can do is ensure you choose devices that have receivers that are more sensitive. Increasing the sensitivity means they can detect weaker signals. This is important as they will weaken as the distance increases.
Possibly the easiest thing you can do to get long range Bluetooth is to choose a suitable antenna. There are products like patch antennas that have an operating distance of over 1,000m.
Finally, if you need to connect many devices over a large geographical area, you can network them. What you need to do is connect them to multiple distributed gateways that have internet connections. This can increase the range and allow all the devices to communicate. You could also set up a Mesh Network.
Talk to us about long range Bluetooth
Kanda has a huge product catalogue with everything you need to set up Bluetooth connections. For example we have modules, antennas, and more. We even have starter kits if you are developing products or are just starting to do so.
If you have any questions about long range Bluetooth, you can contact us. We can help you to choose the right products, including a suitable antenna. Then, if you place an order, we can arrange fast delivery.