Help Needed - NRF9160 Custom Circuit: Unintended Reboots and High Current Consumption

RE: Help Needed - NRF9160 Custom Circuit: Unintended Reboots and High Current Consumption

JONATHAN LL — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 09:07:35 GMT

[quote user="Gal_S"]3) Is there a way to prevent this behavior? It would be ideal if the device could detect whether it can establish a connection without rebooting before attempting to connect to the network.[/quote]

The modem monitors the supply voltage. The application can set some limits, and get some data with the %XVBAT, %XVBATLVL, %XVBATLOWLVL and %XPOFWARN AT commands. The other option is CONEVAL, that can be used to set power mode, so setting this to ultra low power might help.

See https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/nwp_043/WP/nwp_043/intro.html?cp=2_0_6_0 for more info on Energy estimate.

[quote user=""] jumps above 800 mA and, on even rarer occasions, exceeds 1.5 A.[/quote]

Maybe you can use the online power profiler to estimate what the current draw should be?
https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/power/w/opp/3/online-power-profiler-for-lte

1.5 A sounds high. is the device doing anything else? reading sensors or some other operation that would explain the high current draw. You can see here the typical peak values for current draw: https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/ps_nrf9160/_tmp/alta.nRF9160/autodita/CURRENT/parameters.id_current_modem.html?cp=2_0_0_4_5_0_14

[quote user="Gal_S"]4) Additionally, there are cases where the device tries to make a connection repeatedly. Sometimes it fails in one round but succeeds in the next, and sometimes it continues to fail until I manually reboot it. Is there a solution to this problem as well?[/quote]

It can be difficult to tell what would be a "fix". A modem trace and some application log for both scenarios could be beneficial to see what is happening. Can you share what modem firmware that is used and what version of the nRF SDK you are using?

Can you also share how you measured the current. Is it the current consumption on the entire device or just for the nRF9160?

If you want a review of the HW or dont want to share more detailed info publicly you can create a new private ticket and share the info there.

Regards,
Jonathan

RE: Help Needed - NRF9160 Custom Circuit: Unintended Reboots and High Current Consumption

Gal_S — Sun, 06 Aug 2023 06:25:04 GMT

1) I am using an ADP5360-type PMIC.

2) The device can work for long hours and even days. However, in areas with poor reception, it "makes an effort" and then reboots. This happens either by trying to connect itself to the network or by sending data even when the battery voltage is high (4.2V).

3) Is there a way to prevent this behavior? It would be ideal if the device could detect whether it can establish a connection without rebooting before attempting to connect to the network.

4) Additionally, there are cases where the device tries to make a connection repeatedly. Sometimes it fails in one round but succeeds in the next, and sometimes it continues to fail until I manually reboot it. Is there a solution to this problem as well?

RE: Help Needed - NRF9160 Custom Circuit: Unintended Reboots and High Current Consumption

JONATHAN LL — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 09:05:34 GMT

Hi,

Will look in to this to see if there is other options but for now:
There is a AT command for data profile (%XDATAPRFL), it lets you select between different modes. This will have an impact on power usage, but not exactly what you are asking for. It does have a low and ultra-low power option.

There are some other commands like %XVBAT, %XVBATLOWLVL and %XPOFWARN that could be of interest or use. Also have a look at %CONEVAL, it might be of use in your case as well.

Are you dependent on having this current measurement response to be onboard the nRF9160 SiP? or do you have other external components on the custom hardware that can do some sensing.

Regards,
Jonathan