tx power (NRF52840)

[Miguel]

Sir

We have a client that is using two NINA B3 (uses a NRF52840), one central and other peripheral. The peripheral is sending advertising packages, but the central is only detecting them in the 150mts range, no more.

Is there some sdk example that we can power up the TX power ? Today is +8dbm

Thank you!

[Andreas]

Hi,

 

8 dBm is the maximum output power of the nRF52840. To increase this you need to add a power amplifier or front-end module in your RF chain, but transmitting at more than 10 dBm is only allowed in the USA.

You can also change to the BLE long range modes to extend the range.

 

Best regards,

Andreas

[Miguel]

Andreas, thanks to the feedback!

I will ask to our client add to

C:\nRF5_SDK_15.0.0_a53641a\modules\nrfx\mdk\nrf52840_bitfields.h

The following line

#define RADIO_TXPOWER_TXPOWER_10dBm (0x10UL) /*!< 10 dBm */

Right ?

Looks that module has PA

[Andreas]

Hi,

 

No, there is no external PA on that module from what I can see. The conducted output power is 7.5-8 dBm, but the EIRP is 10 dBm. Snip from the datasheet:

Even if there is an external 10dBm PA, you would want to dial down the output power from the nRF52840 (most likely to 0 dBm) to get the most efficient operation with 10 dBm saturated output power.

 

Best regards,

Andreas

[Miguel]

Thank you again Andreas!