Hardware review

[katrindqaws]

hi all

I designed this board. Could you please review it from a hardware perspective, especially regarding the nRF52840 microcontroller? Specifically, I would like feedback on the antenna-related aspects.

Also, the schematic and PCB files are attached.

schematic:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xz16orcoytdqy1ll0z0iy/schver3.pdf?rlkey=zmq35ubbf9nzhe1ig8pwisomr&st=mhcvdhbf&dl=0

PCB:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ijf5dxkydopjps24hmddn/SchVer3.PcbDoc?rlkey=b0niehacfs8bbkdk101aqen24&dl=0

thank you very much

[Mike Austin (LPI)]

My only comment: check whether you can leave VREF on your DRV8214 driver IC unconnected like that.

i had issues with a DRV8411A not working as expected when I inadvertently left VREF unconnected.

Also, there are better ways to monitor battery voltage that don't put a constant load on the battery like you have with your 2 x 100k resistors. But if you're not aiming for super low standby current, it's probably not an issue.

[katrindqaws]

thank you, i use Vref as internal reference

what is your comment about antenna?

is it matching network true?

[Mike Austin (LPI)]

Can't really comment on your matching network. If you've followed the design on the nRF52840 DK in terms of antenna layout and matching network, you'll more than likely have something that works. Whether it's compliant or not, you'll have to do the testing to confirm.

I've got a very similar matching network on all my nRF52832 designs: