On custom Board, no BLE signal generated!

[User1321]

I have designed a custom board with a TF325J32K7680 32KHz clock with +-50ppm tolerance, for the 32MHz I am using the CX2016DB32000D0WZRC1 with +-40ppm tolerance.

Simple functionalities of the system are working fine, peripherals, etc.
I place the C3 and L1 capacitor on the custom board as recommended on the layout_reference, then, I connected  1/4 Wavelength length a multithread wire to the antenna connector.

When I try simple BLE examples nothing is happening, the program is running but no signal is generated. 

I have read that the problem might be related with the clock but I don't know how to test this.

If I placed this in my code: 

// it does not go through this!!
    err_code = sd_clock_hfclk_request();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
    uint32_t hfclk_is_running = 0;
    while (!hfclk_is_running) {
	APP_ERROR_CHECK(sd_clock_hfclk_is_running(&hfclk_is_running));
    }    

The program remains there forever (When I do the same on the DK, the performance is not affected). 

Does anyone have any clue where could be the problem? Is it the wire antenna? is it the clock that is not working properly? 

Thank you in advance. 

[Turbo J]

That usually means you have errors in crystal layout on the PCB. We would need to see your layout to confirm.

[Andreas]

Hi,

 

It seems that the crystal oscillator does not start. 40 ppm is stretching it, with regards to the spec, but the oscillator should at least start up if it is exceeded. Does other applications run, or do you see this behaviour always?

 

What load capacitors have you connected on the XC pins, 12 pF (or close)?

Have you checked that the crystal is mounted correctly, not 90 degrees off?

Have you tried replacing it with a different part/crystal?

 

Best regards,

Andreas