Cheap BLE : JDY-08

Disclaimer : This post is based on my experience which is completely subjective, in no way I am promoting any application or product 😉

I have been trying to get my hands into BLE4.0 modules since long. As always I was looking for small, cheap solution, JDY-08 was one of solution I came across – it seemed just Perfect !

It is based on TI-CC2541 SOC, Low power consumption – long range Voila!

Below is what is being advertised by most vendors:

1. maximum transmit power of 0db, the maximum transmission distance of 80 meters.
2.  support serial allowing users to modify the device name through AT commands service UUID, transmit power, pairing password instructions, convenient to use and flexible.
3. Ultra-low standby power consumption 400uA ~ 800uA
4. Ultra-long connection distance 100 ft / 60 m
5. Fast reaction speed 0.4 secondsFor Apple, AndroidReceive no byte limit, up to 6K Bytes/sec.

I quickly ordered 10pcs without a second thought.

Below is what you should keep in mind:

1. Datasheet, documentation – everything is in Chinese! Cool !
   Luckily, Few folks did translation – https://docs.google.com/document/d/14mHWT3GhELCj-6yxsam0k5bjzazq8nnPoz4B_gYh04k
   Also, you can check http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=432074.0 because this is the only helpful resource in the web.
2. Firmware is broken – at least for me, some other user confirmed same in above Arduino thread.
3. No other support.
4. Non-standard board pitch, you cannot use header pins

But it is good in many ways:

1. Small size, thin, light, small – cool!
2. If you use HC-05 or HC-06 for transparent communication, you can use GATT terminal for transparent communication.
3. Very low power consumption – from my tests, I found 0.5ma consumption.
4. Long range – upto 30meters without optimization.
5. iBeacon mode – works fine – but power consumption was 0.5ma

I was unable to test as I could only use GATT write & notify methods, AT commands to change mode & device name, even AT+RST returned ERR.

You can use following tools to test :

• Linux users can use this tuto -> https://github.com/pcborenstein/bluezDoc/wiki/hcitool-and-gatttool-example
• Android – for iBeacon – “Beacon Scanner“
• Android – GATT test – “BleTerm” or “BLE Monitor”

Below is schematic I followed: