nrf9151dk not running firmware without USB connection

[Redrield]

I currently have an nrf9151dk set up on a breadboard along with some peripherals intended for some evaluative testing. Part of the purpose of this testing is to assess the power usage (& thus possible operating time) of the device on battery. There is a 3.7V LiPo battery pack powering the breadboard to help in evaluating this.

The unit runs the loaded test firmware perfectly well when connected to a computer over USB. When power is applied via the LiPo, LED2 turns on (solid/very subtle blinking), LED5 turns on (Blinking rapidly) and firmware does not run. (When connected to a computer, LED2 exhibits the same behaviour while LED5 goes solid during operation).

The test firmware running on the board is using connect sdk v3.0.1, Zephyr RTOS v4.0.99 (sdk-nrf repository @ v3.0.1 rev)

Any suggestions as to why this would be happening and how to resolve the issue would be appreciated

Thank you,
Kaitlyn

[Øyvind]

Hello Kaitlyn, are you able to provide more information on your setup? I.e. can you provide an image of your setup showing how the device is connected to the breadboard?

There is a 3.7V LiPo battery pack powering the breadboard to help in evaluating this.

How is this battery pack connected and powering the board? 

When power is applied via the LiPo, LED2 turns on (solid/very subtle blinking), LED5 turns on (Blinking rapidly) and firmware does not run.

Just to confirm, the USB cable is disconnected during this operation? How do you know the FW is not running?

Kind regards,
Øyvind

[Redrield]

Hello Øyvind,

Øyvind said:

How is this battery pack connected and powering the board? 

The battery is connected to a 3.7-5V boost converter, whose output is connected to the 5V pin on the devkit

Øyvind said:

Just to confirm, the USB cable is disconnected during this operation? How do you know the FW is not running?

The USB cable is disconnected during this operation. The board is configured to connect via TLS to a server I've written. No connection is received after waiting minutes with the board only powered by the battery. When USB is connected the board connects within one minute.

[Øyvind]

Redrield said:

The battery is connected to a 3.7-5V boost converter, whose output is connected to the 5V pin on the devkit

What is the output current of this boost converter? Sounds like there might too little power from the setup? Have a look at the VDD current consumption in nRF9151 Hardware Design Guidelines. Where is states: 

Although the typical current consumption of nRF9151 can be very low, the power supply and system must be designed to meet the demands of the potential worst-case level of current consumption.

assess the power usage (& thus possible operating time) of the device on battery.

Have you measured the average current consumption of the DK with e.g. PPK2?

Kind regards,
Øyvind

[Redrield]

The specific breakout board we're using specifies a max current of 1A. I took a look at the documentation provided, and even during transmission bursts it seems like that should still be plenty

[Øyvind]

Øyvind said:

are you able to provide more information on your setup? I.e. can you provide an image of your setup showing how the device is connected to the breadboard?

Any updates on this? How is the breadboard and the DK connected?

Redrield said:

specific breakout board we're using specifies a max current of 1A. I took a look at the documentation provided

Could you share more information on this?