Configuring nRF5340 for RF measurements

[arun12]

How to configure nRF5340 for RF measurements. which programs can be flashed to the device to get 100% TX and 100% RX and measure the RF parameters

[runsiv]

Hi Arun

Have you had a look at our Direct Test Mode sample? it  covers the following: 

The sample uses Direct Test Mode (DTM) to test the operation of the following features of the radio:

• Transmission power and receiver sensitivity

• Frequency offset and drift

• Modulation characteristics

• Packet error rate

• Intermodulation performance

The documentation states what test equipment you need and the setup for the sample

Regards

Runar

[arun12]

Hi Runar,

on Configuring Direct Test Mode for testing RF Parameters of below is the response I'm getting.



which is the compatible FW for DTM? can I flash it using the nRF connect VS Code extension.

Regards,

Arun

[runsiv]

The DTM application should flasht the correct FW to the board when you try to start the test. Have you verified that no other application is using the comport to the DK? 

[arun12]

The Device is currently flashed with "Peripheral_lbs" program, thats why I asked which is the  correct FW which I could program the device with to run DTM application.

[runsiv]

Hi again Arun

Could you try to build the DTM sample from vscode and flash it to the board? You can find the sample in the first link I gave you

Regards

Runar

[arun12]

Hi Runar,

By flashing the DTM example I'm executing the TX and RX tests in the DTM tool like this,

But connecting the external antenna to a power meter and testing, I'm not seeing any power.

Do I need to make some modifications on the board to see the power on TX and RX tests?

Regards,

Arun

[runsiv]

Hi Arun

I had another chat with some of our HW guys and they recommended to rather use the radio test sample when testing output power 

Regards

Runar

[arun12]

Hi Runar,

on trying to execute Radio Test Sample, I'm facing the below build error,



on using DTM as I said early, though the DTM in SDK is showing power in the UI, I'm not observing any power on the power meter, or these is  o significant rise in current measured.

please help me carry out RF measurements.

Regards,

Arun

[runsiv]

I was not able to reproduce the error on a newer version of the sdk and toolchain v2.52. So I will see if I can reproduce it on an older version of the sdk(v2.3.0)

As for the measurement, could you describe your setup? 

Did you read the section regarding test setup? The DK should change from internal antenna to external as soon as you connect an external antenna to it, 

It also links to the following white paper https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/pdf/nan_34.pdf 

Regards

Runar

[arun12]

Hi Runar,

I'm flashing these example programs using vs code extension and trying to measure the output power at that  point using a power meter, also I've connected an ammeter to VDD and VDD_HV points to measure current consumption at that time.

on flashing DTM example, though I'm seeing power on the GUI of DTM in nRF connect for Desktop, I'm not seeing any power measurement on the power meter and I'm not seeing any significant rise in current on the ammeters. 

I will check again with the pointers you've given on the previous response.

please update if there is any further insight on carrying this measurements.

Regards,

Arun

[runsiv]

Could you give some more information regarding the power meter? Normally we use spectrum analyzers to measure RF. 

Regards

Runar