DC/DC higher consumption than LDO

Hi,

when DC/DC is enabled, current consumption in sleep is higher than when using LDO.

This is consumtion with DCDC = 0

This is power consumtion when DCDC = 1

System init

	Return_t init(void)
	{
		// Test crystals only in debug build
		#ifdef DEBUG
		_PRINT("Wait for HFXO\n");
		NRF_CLOCK->EVENTS_HFCLKSTARTED = 0;
		NRF_CLOCK->TASKS_HFCLKSTART = 1;
		while (NRF_CLOCK->EVENTS_HFCLKSTARTED == 0);
		NRF_CLOCK->EVENTS_HFCLKSTARTED = 0;	
		_PRINT("HFXO started\n");

		_PRINT("Wait for LFXO\n");
		NRF_CLOCK->EVENTS_LFCLKSTARTED = 0;
		NRF_CLOCK->TASKS_LFCLKSTART = 1;
		while (NRF_CLOCK->EVENTS_LFCLKSTARTED == 0);
		NRF_CLOCK->EVENTS_LFCLKSTARTED = 0;	
		_PRINT("LFXO started\n");		
		#endif // DEBUG

		// Configure power
		NRF_POWER->POFCON = 0;
		NRF_POWER->DCDCEN = 1;

		// Init watchdog
		NRF_WDT->CRV = (AppConfig::wdtTimeout * 32768) - 1;
		#ifdef DEBUG
		NRF_WDT->CONFIG = 1;
		#else
		NRF_WDT->CONFIG = 9;
		#endif // DEBUG
		NRF_WDT->TASKS_START = 1;

		// Enable RTC interrupt
		ret_code_t ret = sd_nvic_SetPriority(RTC2_IRQn, 2);
		if (ret != NRF_SUCCESS)
		{
			APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);
			return Return_t::NOK;
		}

		ret = sd_nvic_EnableIRQ(RTC2_IRQn);
		if (ret != NRF_SUCCESS)
		{
			APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);
			return Return_t::NOK;
		}

		// Enable compare0 interrupt
		NRF_RTC2->INTENSET = (1 << 16);

		// Set counter resolution of 125ms
		NRF_RTC2->PRESCALER = 4095;

		startWakeupTimer();
		return Return_t::OK;
	}
	
	void startWakeupTimer(void)
	{
		NRF_RTC2->TASKS_CLEAR = 1;
		NRF_RTC2->CC[0] = (AppConfig::measurePeriod * 1000) / 125;
		NRF_RTC2->TASKS_START = 1;
		_PRINT_INFO("Wakeup timer started\n");
	}

I expected to get better power consumption when using DC/DC. Is there reason why consumption is higher?

nRF52832 with Softdevice S132. HFXO is later requested by calling SD function.
VDD is 3V from PPK2.

EDIT:

This is consumption when MCU is running(just feeding the watchdog).

LDO

DC/DC

Is that expected? 

This is HW design

Seems like DC/DC is really inefficient when in sleep.

How much DC/DC startup takes time and power? Seems like good idea to switch off DC/DC before sleep.

Parents
  • Hi

    What voltage are you supplying the device with here? Do you have an nRF52832 DK where you can reproduce this as well, as just enabling DCDC shouldn't increase the current consumption this much. 

    You can export and upload the full .ppk file so we can review it on our side as well to see the power consumption looks okay or not.

    Best regards,

    Simon

Reply
  • Hi

    What voltage are you supplying the device with here? Do you have an nRF52832 DK where you can reproduce this as well, as just enabling DCDC shouldn't increase the current consumption this much. 

    You can export and upload the full .ppk file so we can review it on our side as well to see the power consumption looks okay or not.

    Best regards,

    Simon

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