nRF52840 Custom Board and Antenna Designing

[Rajeev K R]

Hi,

We've developed a custom PCB featuring the nRF52840 Core Chip, but we're encountering significant challenges with antenna performance, resulting in poor range during usage. The antenna we're currently using is [insert specific antenna details here]. Despite implementing CodedPHY, we're only achieving a range of approximately 60-70ft, which falls short of our project's requirements. Enhancing BLE range is critical for our solution's success.

We've been referring to resources such as the nRF Antenna Tuning Whitepaper for guidance. Our range tests have been conducted using BLE Hr_Coded.

 . 

Here is the prj.config

/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/4/1067.prj.conf

We would greatly appreciate any guidance or suggestions to maximize Bluetooth BLE range. Our primary goal is to boost both TX (transmit) and RX (receive) capabilities, which may involve software optimizations and/or hardware modifications such as upgrading the antenna and potentially replacing the chip antenna on the nRF52840 Core Chip. We're open to exploring all feasible methods to achieve significant improvements in Bluetooth range.

Thank you in advance for your assistance and expertise.

[Simonr]

The antenna we're currently using is [insert specific antenna details here].

Were you supposed to add a datasheet or link to the antenna you're using here?

Your board seems very small and might not have the best ground plane, and the 32MHz crystal looks like it's very close to the antenna + that I'm not sure if all the matching components for the antenna is there. All these things could be contributors to bad antenna performance, but without the HW files (schematics as .pdf and gerber files) this is just educated guessing from my end. 

Can you also share some details on what environment you're testing the BLE range in, and if you've tested the application in the same environment on I.E. a nRF52840 DK to try to narrow down the issue to either HW or SW.

Best regards,

Simon

[Rajeev K R]

Hi Simon,

     This is the Board I am using, nRF52840 Bluetooth 5.0 Module, Small Size, Stable Performance (waveshare.com)
the environment is Outdoor: concrete floor, open air.

Simonr said:

Can you also share some details on what environment you're testing the BLE range in,

[Simonr]

Hi

So what is custom about the PCB then? Can you share HW files of your custom board so we can do a review? And have you done any testing with the nRF52840 DK to see if you can achieve better results with that?

As mentioned. Step 1 would be to narrow down whether we're dealing with a HW or SW issue.

Best regards,

Simon