Interfacing PA with nRF51822

RE: Interfacing PA with nRF51822

Håkon Alseth — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 07:39:55 GMT

Hi Sreekanth, Could you create a support case in MyPage: www.nordicsemi.com/.../mypage

And attach the schematic + layout (in gerbers) so that we can have a look?

Cheers, Håkon

RE: Interfacing PA with nRF51822

Sreekanth — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 15:22:40 GMT

Hello Hakon,

We have the prototype board with us with PA (SE2431L) and nRF51822. The issue we are facing is that the range with the PA is very less. We are getting around 12mts inside the building. The Tx power we have set is 0dbm. As per the datasheet of the PA the output power Antenna will be +21dbm (VCC = +3.0 V, PIN = 0 dBm). In our design we are using BALUN in between PA and NRF51.

Do we have to tune the antenna? Any reference design will be helpful.

BR, Sreekanth

RE: Interfacing PA with nRF51822

Sreekanth — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 10:25:33 GMT

Hello Hakon,

Thanks for the response.

We have proceeded with external BALUN as per the reference design (nRF51822) and single ended PA with 50 Ohm input.

Thanks, Sreekanth

RE: Interfacing PA with nRF51822

Håkon Alseth — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 09:33:30 GMT

Hi,

I would strongly recommend using our reference design for the BALUN of the nRF51x22. This will ensure that spurious and harmonics are filtered properly, especially since you want to add an external RF PA. This is something we cannot guarantee with generic RF PAs with integrated BALUN.

Based on this, I would recommend using a RF PA with single-ended 50 ohm input.

Cheers, Håkon