Smol Receiver
Table Of Contents
- 📶 Receiver Options (Ranked by Signal Strength)
- 📡 USB Dongles
- 📡 Microcontrollers Modified Into USB Dongles
📶 Receiver Options (Ranked by Signal Strength)
To ensure optimal signal integrity and range, it is essential to use boards equipped with high-quality antennas. Boards featuring a PCB antenna or external antenna are generally the most effective option for use as receivers.
Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 Dongle, Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 are not included due to lack of data.
- HolyIOT-21017: Highest performance for highest price. Reported to have significantly higher signal strength than other options due to included amplifier.
- SuperMini nRF52840 with Wi-Fi Antenna Mod: Recommended go-to option. Offers the best price-to-performance ratio.
- SuperMini nRF52840 with Wire Antenna Mod
- eByte Dongle (E104-BT5040U): Signal starts to degrade at distances over 3 meters, especially when obstructed by body parts.
- SuperMini nRF52840 (Unmodified)
📡 USB Dongles
These dongles are equipped with relatively well-optimized PCB antennas. For improved signal integrity, especially in constrained environments, consider using a USB extension cable.
| Dongle | Description | Links |
|---|---|---|
| eByte Dongle (E104-BT5040U) |
Cheapest option with a PCB antenna. - E104-BT5040U is the correct model to use. It is fully compatible with the Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 Dongle. - E104-BT5040UA is not compatible. It is only capable of capturing BLE4.2 and BLE5.0 protocol packets. |
|
| Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 Dongle (PCA10059) | Official Nordic development hardware. | |
| HolyIOT-21017 aka HOLYIOT-21017-nRF52840 | Has a FEM (Front End Module), specifically an RFX2401C radio booster. |
📡 Microcontrollers Modified Into USB Dongles
Option 1: Unmodified Board
Consist of SuperMini nRF52840 or Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840.
⚠️ Not recommended due to the simplicity of upgrading to a modified version.
Option 2: Wire Antenna Mod
Consist of a SuperMini nRF52840 or Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 attached with a 31.2 mm wire to the antenna pin to form a basic monopole antenna.
Refer to Smol Schematics -> Antenna (extra option) for the solder point location.
Wire Options
- Solid core or stranded copper wire (e.g., 23-26 AWG).
- Wire salvaged from an Ethernet cable.
Option 3: Wi-Fi Antenna Mod
Consist of a SuperMini nRF52840 or Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 attached with a Wi-Fi antenna.
Refer to Smol Schematics -> Antenna (extra option) for the area to remove and solder the IPEX or SMA connector.
Components Options
| Image | Listing | Notes | Variant | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2PCS Mini Rubber 3dBi 2.4ghz WIFI Antenna SMA Male Router Bluetooth Antennas Wireless Module 2.4g Antena External Aerial | Best tested performance (based on Lyall’s tests) | Color: B | |
|
IPX to SMA RF Coax Adapter Assembly Pigtail Cable,SMA Connector Cable Female to UFL |
Any IPEX or SMA cable should do.
Cut cable at marked location on the image. |
Shorter cables preferred. |