Need to measure current consumption for transmit and receive for 2NR module (nRF54L15)

[Puja Sah]

Hello,

I am looking for ways to measure current during the transmit and receive test for the 2NR modules.

Can you please provide me the steps to do that?

Also what application did you use to test it from your end?

What are your test results?

Thanks,
Puja

[Puja Sah]

Hi Simon,

Thank you for your reply. I am trying to test with Nordic nRF54L15-PDK evk. I am using the following commands but I get 6.82 mA current whereas the datasheet mentions 4.8 mA.

uart:~$ data_rate ble_1Mbit
Data rate: NRF_RADIO_MODE_BLE_1MBIT
uart:~$ total_output_power
total_output_power: command not found
uart:~$ output_power
pos8dBm pos7dBm pos6dBm pos5dBm pos4dBm pos3dBm pos2dBm
pos1dBm pos0dBm neg1dBm neg2dBm neg3dBm neg4dBm neg5dBm
neg6dBm neg7dBm neg8dBm neg9dBm neg10dBm neg12dBm neg14dBm
neg16dBm neg18dBm neg20dBm neg22dBm neg28dBm neg40dBm neg46dBm
uart:~$ output_power pos0dBm
TX power : 0 dBm
uart:~$ start
start_channel start_duty_cycle_modulated_tx
start_rx start_rx_sweep
start_tx_carrier start_tx_modulated_carrier
start_tx_sweep
uart:~$ start_tx_sweep
TX sweep

I am seeing the following options to start transmit sweep, carrier. Which one should I actually use to transmit and then receive? I want to measure transmit current and receive current.

start_rx : Start RX
start_rx_sweep : Start RX sweep
start_tx_carrier : Start the TX carrier
start_tx_modulated_carrier : Start the modulated TX carrier
start_tx_sweep : Start TX sweep
time_on_channel : Time on each channel in ms (between 1 and
<time>
transmit_pattern : Set the transmission pattern

Thanks,
Puja

[Simonr]

Hi Puja

What version of the nRF54L15 PDK are you using here? Prior to v0.9.2 of the DK hardware we had engineering revisions of the nRF54L15 SoC, so doing current consumption measurement on those won't necessarily be correct.

Best regards,

Simon

[Puja Sah]

Hi Simon,

I got the new board. Can you please let me know the answer of the following question?

I am seeing the following options to start transmit sweep, carrier. Which one should I actually use to transmit and then receive? I want to measure transmit current and receive current.

start_rx : Start RX
start_rx_sweep : Start RX sweep
start_tx_carrier : Start the TX carrier
start_tx_modulated_carrier : Start the modulated TX carrier
start_tx_sweep : Start TX sweep
time_on_channel : Time on each channel in ms (between 1 and
<time>
transmit_pattern : Set the transmission pattern

Thanks,
Puja

[Puja Sah]

Also even with the new nordic EVK I see 7.7 mA transmit current.

[Simonr]

Hi

I'm not sure I understand what you want to test for here exactly. The "Testing with another development kit" section shows you how to transmit a pattern from one DK to the other.

You say the transmit current is 7.7mA, but are you sure that's not the entire boards' current consumption, instead of just the radio? Can you upload the power profiler trace so I can review it?

Best regards,

Simon