Low-Cost Bluetooth-Based Testbed for Wireless Connectivity Testing

As wireless communication technologies and IoT networks expand, there is a growing need for cost-effective, flexible testbeds to evaluate new designs, algorithms, and hardware. Existing testing solutions are often expensive or are limited in scope, which opens up a gap for accessible tools that support diverse wireless experiments. This research addresses this need by developing a low-cost, multi-purpose testbed using Nordic NRF52840 dongles and Raspberry Pi Zero, capable of performing a wide range of tests. The testbed, arranged in a star topology with 36 controllable agents, collects key performance metrics such as Packet Error Rate (PER) and Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) over time. Validation experiments demonstrated the system's effectiveness in measuring wireless performance under real-world conditions, including jamming. This testbed offers a scalable and affordable platform for wireless communication research, providing a valuable tool for academia and industry to develop next-generation wireless technologies.