Feature Request: Add / expose BLE RSSI (Signal Strength) Access

[WPS12TA]

Feature Request: Add BLE RSSI (Signal Strength) Access

Description

Add a method to access the BLE RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) from the connected RadiaCode device. This would allow applications to monitor Bluetooth connection quality.

Use Cases

1. Connection quality monitoring - Display signal strength to users
2. Troubleshooting - Diagnose connectivity issues and range problems
3. Data reliability - Correlate signal strength with data reception quality
4. Distance awareness - Alert users when device is moving out of range
5. MQTT/logging - Track connection quality over time in monitoring systems

Proposed Implementation

Add a simple public method to expose the BlueTooth connection RSSI value:

Benefits

• Minimal code change?
• No impact on existing functionality

Environment

• Arduino ESP32 platform
• Standard Arduino BLE library
• RadiaCode-110 device

Additional Context

This feature is particularly useful for remote monitoring applications (MQTT/Home Assistant/Grafana) where signal quality tracking helps diagnose intermittent connection issues.

[cdump]

I took a quick look and didn't find any way to get the RSSI from a connected device using bluepy. I only saw RSSI available while scanning for devices.

If I or anyone else finds a way to get the RSSI value, I'll expose it in the radiacode library.

[WPS12TA]

Actually I did find a solution. Now I have proven it works I'll post it tomorrow. Paul Paul Stross ***@***.***

…

On Sat, 21 Mar 2026, 16:36 Maxim Andreev, ***@***.***> wrote: *cdump* left a comment (cdump/radiacode#61) <#61 (comment)> I took a quick look and didn't find any way to get the RSSI from a connected device using bluepy. I only saw RSSI available while scanning for devices. If I or anyone else finds a way to get the RSSI value, I'll expose it in the radiacode library. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#61?email_source=notifications&email_token=BCANRXFVY2CDOUJPBENTWCT4R3AIHA5CNFSNUABFM5UWIORPF5TWS5BNNB2WEL2JONZXKZKDN5WW2ZLOOQXTIMJQGM3DQNBYGQZKM4TFMFZW63VGMF2XI2DPOKSWK5TFNZ2KYZTPN52GK4S7MNWGSY3L#issuecomment-4103684842>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BCANRXHIFJ7SUDZ6ULH2ETD4R3AIHAVCNFSM6AAAAACWZ5E2KOVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHM2DCMBTGY4DIOBUGI> . You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[WPS12TA]

Are you a maintainer for this Radiacode library? I'm not very familiar with how to use git. But I did modify the library (with help from AI) to produce for me a very nice BLE signal strength reporter for my web page application, presented as a percentage for clarity. The modifications were very minor and just additive. Paul Paul Stross ***@***.***

…

On Sat, 21 Mar 2026, 20:41 Paul Stross, ***@***.***> wrote: Actually I did find a solution. Now I have proven it works I'll post it tomorrow. Paul Paul Stross ***@***.*** On Sat, 21 Mar 2026, 16:36 Maxim Andreev, ***@***.***> wrote: > *cdump* left a comment (cdump/radiacode#61) > <#61 (comment)> > > I took a quick look and didn't find any way to get the RSSI from a > connected device using bluepy. I only saw RSSI available while scanning for > devices. > > If I or anyone else finds a way to get the RSSI value, I'll expose it in > the radiacode library. > > — > Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub > <#61?email_source=notifications&email_token=BCANRXFVY2CDOUJPBENTWCT4R3AIHA5CNFSNUABFM5UWIORPF5TWS5BNNB2WEL2JONZXKZKDN5WW2ZLOOQXTIMJQGM3DQNBYGQZKM4TFMFZW63VGMF2XI2DPOKSWK5TFNZ2KYZTPN52GK4S7MNWGSY3L#issuecomment-4103684842>, > or unsubscribe > <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BCANRXHIFJ7SUDZ6ULH2ETD4R3AIHAVCNFSM6AAAAACWZ5E2KOVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHM2DCMBTGY4DIOBUGI> > . > You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: > ***@***.***> >

[cdump]

@WPS12TA you can send changes in any way you prefer, I will take a look and add to git of this library if they are ok

[Am6er]

I took a quick look and didn't find any way to get the RSSI from a connected device using bluepy. I only saw RSSI available while scanning for devices.

If I or anyone else finds a way to get the RSSI value, I'll expose it in the radiacode library.

Check here https://github.com/IanHarvey/bluepy/blob/master/docs/scanner.rst

Get RSSI from device scanner/host.

[cdump]

@Am6er I saw that, but we don't use a scanner here - we connect using Peripheral, which doesn't expose RSSI. Running a scanner in the background inside the radiacode library just to get RSSI doesn't look good

[WPS12TA]

Feature Request: Add BLE RSSI (Signal Strength) Access

Description

Add a method to access the BLE RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) from the connected RadiaCode device. This would allow applications to monitor Bluetooth connection quality.

Use Cases

1. Connection quality monitoring - Display signal strength to users
2. Troubleshooting - Diagnose connectivity issues and range problems
3. Data reliability - Correlate signal strength with data reception quality
4. Distance awareness - Alert users when device is moving out of range
5. MQTT/logging - Track connection quality over time in monitoring systems

Proposed Implementation

Add a simple public method to expose the RSSI value:

In BluetoothTransport.h (public section):

int getRSSI();  // Returns RSSI in dBm, or -100 if not connected

In BluetoothTransport.cpp:

int BluetoothTransport::getRSSI() {
#ifdef BT_SUPPORT_ENABLED
    if (_peripheral) {
        BLEClient* pClient = (BLEClient*)_peripheral;
        if (pClient->isConnected()) {
            return pClient->getRssi();
        }
    }
#endif
    return -100;  // Not connected
}

In RadiaCode.h (public section):

int getRSSI();  // Get BLE signal strength in dBm

In RadiaCode.cpp:

// Add BLE RSSI access - added for signal strength monitoring
	int RadiaCode::getRSSI() {
	    if (!_connection) {
	        return -100;  // No connection
	    }
	    // Safe cast on ESP32 - _connection is always BluetoothTransport
	    BluetoothTransport* bt = (BluetoothTransport*)_connection;
	    return bt->getRSSI();
}

Usage Example

RadiaCode* radiacode = new RadiaCode(RADIACODE_MAC);
int blerssi = radiacode->getRSSI();
Serial.printf("BLE Signal Strength: %d dBm\n", blerssi);

Benefits

• Minimal code change (3 small methods)
• No impact on existing functionality
• Uses standard Arduino BLE library methods
• Follows existing library patterns
• Safe - returns -100 if not connected

Alternative Considered

Initially tried using BLE scanning to get RSSI, but this interferes with the active connection and causes data loss. Direct access through the client is the proper approach.

Environment

• Arduino ESP32 platform
• Standard Arduino BLE library
• RadiaCode-110 device

Additional Context

This feature is particularly useful for remote monitoring applications (MQTT/Home Assistant/Grafana) where signal quality tracking helps diagnose intermittent connection issues.

Would be happy to submit as a PR if this feature is acceptable!

[WPS12TA]

Please test of course but editing the 4 files works for me. Suggestion. Can you keep the blerssi variable names distinct from confusion with a WiFi rssi.
Paul

[WPS12TA]

I have added a section on the radiacode git library that shows the 4 file edits I made. I hope this is helpful / understandable and works for you. It seems great to me.

…

On Sun, 22 Mar 2026 at 07:45, Maxim Andreev ***@***.***> wrote: *cdump* left a comment (cdump/radiacode#61) <#61 (comment)> @Am6er <https://github.com/Am6er> I saw that, but we don't use a scanner here - we connect using Peripheral, which doesn't expose RSSI. Running a scanner in the background inside the radiacode library just to get RSSI doesn't look good — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#61?email_source=notifications&email_token=BCANRXCQ4WUHX2RZ3D7E3OD4R6KXHA5CNFSNUABFM5UWIORPF5TWS5BNNB2WEL2JONZXKZKDN5WW2ZLOOQXTIMJQGU3TIMRQGAY2M4TFMFZW63VHNVSW45DJN5XKKZLWMVXHJLDGN5XXIZLSL5RWY2LDNM#issuecomment-4105742001>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BCANRXHTX4JGCSAHX3WSVAT4R6KXHAVCNFSM6AAAAACWZ5E2KOVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHM2DCMBVG42DEMBQGE> . You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

-- Paul Stross ***@***.***

[Am6er]

@Am6er I saw that, but we don't use a scanner here - we connect using Peripheral, which doesn't expose RSSI. Running a scanner in the background inside the radiacode library just to get RSSI doesn't look good

RSSI belongs to HCI interface level, not GATT. So, w/o Scanner the answer is no way... :(

[WPS12TA]

.I'm sorry, I don't understand your email. Are you saying it does not work? Because it does. Are you saying it is bad for some reason? When you say here do you mean the radiacode library for Arduino? Paul Paul Stross ***@***.***

…

On Sun, 22 Mar 2026, 13:27 Amber, ***@***.***> wrote: *Am6er* left a comment (cdump/radiacode#61) <#61 (comment)> @Am6er <https://github.com/Am6er> I saw that, but we don't use a scanner here - we connect using Peripheral, which doesn't expose RSSI. Running a scanner in the background inside the radiacode library just to get RSSI doesn't look good RSSI belongs to HCI interface level, not GATT. So, w/o Scanner the answer is no way... :( — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#61?email_source=notifications&email_token=BCANRXFB62RCEPLKHNHAJRD4R7S4DA5CNFSNUABFM5UWIORPF5TWS5BNNB2WEL2JONZXKZKDN5WW2ZLOOQXTIMJQGYZDKOJXGE42M4TFMFZW63VHNVSW45DJN5XKKZLWMVXHJLDGN5XXIZLSL5RWY2LDNM#issuecomment-4106259719>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BCANRXAS55WC54QXYNPDBPL4R7S4DAVCNFSM6AAAAACWZ5E2KOVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHM2DCMBWGI2TSNZRHE> . You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[Am6er]

.I'm sorry, I don't understand your email.

Are you saying it does not work? Because it does.
Are you saying it is bad for some reason?
When you say here do you mean the radiacode library for Arduino?
Paul

Paul Stross @.***

On Sun, 22 Mar 2026, 13:27 Amber, @.***> wrote:

Am6er left a comment (#61)
#61 (comment)

@Am6er https://github.com/Am6er I saw that, but we don't use a scanner
here - we connect using Peripheral, which doesn't expose RSSI. Running a
scanner in the background inside the radiacode library just to get RSSI
doesn't look good

RSSI belongs to HCI interface level, not GATT. So, w/o Scanner the answer
is no way... :(

—
Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub
#61,
or unsubscribe
https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BCANRXAS55WC54QXYNPDBPL4R7S4DAVCNFSM6AAAAACWZ5E2KOVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHM2DCMBWGI2TSNZRHE
.
You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID:
@.***>

I said, that using Peripheral (on GATT level) you can not get RSSI, because it's on HCI level. For using HCI level, you should use Scanner from bluepy.

[cdump]

RadiaCode* radiacode = new RadiaCode(RADIACODE_MAC);
int blerssi = radiacode->getRSSI();
Serial.printf("BLE Signal Strength: %d dBm\n", blerssi);

@WPS12TA I'm a little confused here: cdump/radiacode is a Python library for communicating with RadiaCode, but the changes you provided are for C/C++ code. Maybe you're not using the library from this repo, but some other project?

[WPS12TA]

I'm sorry and apologise if I'm addressing the wrong library! I'll check... Paul Paul Stross ***@***.***

…

On Sun, 22 Mar 2026, 14:16 Maxim Andreev, ***@***.***> wrote: *cdump* left a comment (cdump/radiacode#61) <#61 (comment)> RadiaCode* radiacode = new RadiaCode(RADIACODE_MAC); int blerssi = radiacode->getRSSI(); Serial.printf("BLE Signal Strength: %d dBm\n", blerssi); @WPS12TA <https://github.com/WPS12TA> I'm a little confused here: cdump/radiacode is a Python library for communicating with RadiaCode, but the changes you provided are for C/C++ code. Maybe you're not using the library from this repo, but some other project? — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#61?email_source=notifications&email_token=BCANRXBV3VJDTLAP67FQOUT4R7YSPA5CNFSNUABFM5UWIORPF5TWS5BNNB2WEL2JONZXKZKDN5WW2ZLOOQXTIMJQGYZTEOJTGI2KM4TFMFZW63VHNVSW45DJN5XKKZLWMVXHJLDGN5XXIZLSL5RWY2LDNM#issuecomment-4106329324>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BCANRXDPABLYDWUEVDAS5HT4R7YSPAVCNFSM6AAAAACWZ5E2KOVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHM2DCMBWGMZDSMZSGQ> . You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[cdump]

Probably you are using https://github.com/mkgeiger/RadiaCode: "The implementation of this RadiaCode library in C++ was inspired by the cdump Python RadiaCode library.", in that case you can open issue there