nRF21540-EK with nRF5340-DK

[mm784]

Hello

I have a BLE project using the nRF5340-DK and I wanted to use the nRF21540-EK for increasing range. My plan is to connect the SWF connector to the nRF21540-EK using Murata
MXHS83QE3000 cable. 

How can I configure my project to be used with the FEM? What project files will need to be modified and what modifications are required so that the FEM TX and RX path enablement is synced with the BLE radio of the nRF5340? Are there any examples?

I found this page but it wasn't very helpful
docs.zephyrproject.org/.../nordic,nrf21540-fem.html

Thank you

[SwRa]

Hello,

Please do take a look at this ticket:  Using nrf5340dk with the nrf21540 EK 

Best Regards,

Swathy

[mm784]

Thank you

Adding those 2 CMake arguments I now see the FEM enabled in the output config. The output config and dts overlay match the screenshots posted in the linked ticket.  

Is this all that is needed to get this FEM working?

1. Based on this, what will be the default output gain of the FEM?Is it 10dBm?

2. What is the default antenna used on the nRF21540-EK? is it ANT1?

My next question is how to configure the combined conducted output power of the nRF5340 radio + nRF21540 FEM. In the same output config file, I see that the TX gain of the nRF5340 radio is set to 3dBm after the changes. Is this correct?

 

My antenna has 4.55dBi gain. If my radio gain is 3dBm, the FEM gain should be set to ~12.5dBm for a 20dBm EIRP.  

How can I set the gain of the FEM?

[mm784]

Do I need to change anything else to get this working, or can I just plug in the nRF21540 EK shield to the nRF5340 DK and get it working? I already added the 2 CMake arguments in the build configuration and the build was successful. 

-DSHIELD=nrf21540ek_fwd

-Dhci_ipc_SHIELD=nrf21540ek

https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ncs-latest/page/nrf/app_dev/device_guides/fem/21540ek_dev_guide.html#ug-radio-fem-nrf21540ek

Is there anything else required to get this working? I just want to amplify the TX of the radio with the FEM.