Any tips on how to physically connect to suggested beacons?

[EdanZwick]

(This is not an issue with the code, just asking since you might know the answer) Hey,

Thanks for this work, seems very cool!

I'm just getting into BLE as a hobby and don't have much experience with hardware, so this is probably a silly question, but what tools do I need to program the hardware you suggested such as:

"AliExpress beacon" which can be purchased here https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32826502025.html

I have to solder the power supply and data pins for programming, right? I have access to a soldering station, but I think that this might be too small to solder, no?

I have a similar beacon by Raytac: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081GYNM2G?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_RFBYEBARPW5J6KK9CCJV But its too small for me to solder and seems like it requires some more professional gear.

Thanks for the help! Edan

[acalatrava]

Hi Edan!

Yes, soldering may be tricky. Specially on that module since the pads are very close together. I used a very similar module and I don’t even solder to program it! I used some hook clips I had around like these: https://a.aliexpress.com/_vpQ1qK

with a little care you will manage to hook into the right pads without soldering.

However after that I had to connect a CR2032 battery so I had to solder the VCC pad and for the GND I used the metal on the cover. You should use a very tiny lead soldering wire and a small tip and if I could do it I’m sure you will too ;)

[EdanZwick]

Thanks! Will share what I end up with :)

[defic]

Thanks for the tips 😊 Just made an order for "AliExpress beacons". I've only flashed microcontrollers with usb interface before. Can you recommend me a low cost programming adapter from Aliexpress that I can use to flash the beacon?

[mowtschan]

Thanks for the tips 😊 Just made an order for "AliExpress beacons". I've only flashed microcontrollers with usb interface before. Can you recommend me a low cost programming adapter from Aliexpress that I can use to flash the beacon?

I used that one(is not available anymore but just search for "st link v2"): https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B086TWZNMM

how to connect: https://gist.github.com/mowtschan/d1956b4634a84698ab3a96472f710610

[vekexasia]

hey @mowtschan thanks for the gist. Very helpful. I don't understand base64 -D <<< your_base64_key_from_openhaystack_app | xxd -p | cut -c13-18 what is this used for. Can you please clarify?

[mowtschan]

@vekexasia , with the bluesee app (or similar) you see a lot of devices but you don't know which one is yours. I used that command to extract some part of the key to be able to track/recognise my device with the bluesee app.

[acalatrava]

closed due to inactivity, reopen if needed