Phase 5 — Testing & Validation

Use the nRF Connect mobile app

Test BLE functionality with nRF Connect for Mobile (Android and iOS).

• Scan for your device's advertising packets
• Connect and explore GATT services and characteristics
• Read, write, and enable notifications on characteristics
• View connection parameters and signal strength
• Log data for later analysis

Perform power profiling

Measure actual power consumption using the Power Profiler Kit II (PPK2).

# Production configuration for accurate profiling
CONFIG_LOG=n        # Disable logging
CONFIG_ASSERT=n     # Disable asserts
CONFIG_DEBUG=n      # Disable debug

Test all modes — advertising, connected, data transfer, sleep — and calculate:

Battery Life = Capacity (mAh) / Average Current (mA)

• Measure each operating mode separately
• Account for peak currents (radio TX)
• Test at the expected temperature range
• Compare measurements against datasheet values
• Use PPK2 trigger mode for event-based capture

Test RF performance

Validate wireless range and reliability using nRF Sniffer and other tools.

RF testing checklist:
1. Range testing at various distances
2. Test through walls and obstacles
3. Measure RSSI and packet loss
4. Test with WiFi and other 2.4 GHz interference
5. Verify antenna matching and radiation pattern

• Use nRF Sniffer to capture and analyze packets
• Test with multiple phone models for BLE
• Document RF test results for certification
• Consider antenna placement in enclosure design

Validate protocol compliance

Ensure your implementation meets protocol standards and passes certification tests.

• Run Bluetooth SIG qualification tests
• Test with official certification equipment if available
• Document compliance for regulatory submissions
• Use Nordic's pre-certified modules to simplify certification

Conduct integration testing

Test complete system integration with all components and interfaces.

Integration test checklist:

Hardware: All sensors, actuators, power supply, reset sequence
Software: All tasks, inter-task communication, error handling
System:   End-to-end data flow, mobile app, cloud connectivity, OTA

• Create automated test scripts where possible
• Test failure scenarios (power loss, disconnect)
• Verify behavior across the temperature range
• Document test procedures for repeatability

Perform long-term stability testing

Run extended tests to catch memory leaks, timing issues, and rare bugs.

• Run for days or weeks in realistic conditions
• Monitor memory usage over time
• Log errors and unexpected behaviors
• Test rapid connect/disconnect cycles
• Stress test with maximum data rates