Datasheet

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What is the theoretical speed limit for BLE?

This depends on a variety of factors, and is determined by the capabilities of the central device (the mobile phone,

etc.) as much as the peripheral.

Taking the HW limits on the nR51822 into account (max 6 packets per connection interval, and a minimum

connection interval of 7.5ms) you end up with the following theoretical limits on various mobile operating systems:

iPhone 5/6 + IOS 8.0/8.1

6 packets * 20 bytes * 1/0.030 s = 4 kB/s = 32 kbps

iPhone 5/6 + IOS 8.2/8.3

3 packets * 20 bytes * 1/0.030 s = 2 kB/s = 16 kbps

iPhone 5/6 + IOS 8.x with nRF8001

1 packet * 20 bytes * 1/0.030 s = 0.67 kB/s = 5.3 kbps

Nexus 4

4 packets * 20 bytes * 1/0.0075 s = 10.6 kB/s = 84 kbps

Nordic Master Emulator Firmware (MEFW) with nRF51822 0.9.0

1 packet * 20 bytes * 1/0.0075 = 2.67 kB/s = 21.33 kbps

Nordic Master Emulator Firmware (MEFW) with nRF51822 0.11.0

6 packets * 20 bytes * 1/0.0075 = 16 kB/s = 128 kbps

There are also some limits imposed by the Bluefruit LE firmware, but we are actively working to significantly improve

the throughput in the upcoming 0.7.0 release, which will be available Q2 2016. The above figures are useful as a

theoretical maximum to decide if BLE is appropriate for you project or not.