NFC pairing issues

[abe]

Dear support,

I'm using the NFC pairing on SDK 15.0.0 on PC10056 PDK. I install the micro-ecc library and the example works.

First question: The coupling between smartphone and NFC antenna provided with PDK board is very hard and complex, the the pairing fails very often. Find the right position to have a good NFC connection is very difficult and a little misalignment has result on fails NFC connection.
Second question: I will try NFC pairing also with SDK 15.2.0, but I'm not be able to compile the project: I have some errors on many include files (here above a screen that shows a sample)

Where I wrong? Can you help me?
Many thanks in advance

[tesc]

Hi,

1) Regarding the poor range, you write that you use the PCA10056 PDK. What version and production date is it? (E.g. one of mine have the markings "PCA10056", "0.12.0", "2018.8" and then the 9 digit SEGGER ID (beginning with "683...")

2a) For the compile errors, is this the unmodified "<sdk folder>\examples\ble_peripheral\experimental\ble_app_hrs_nfc_paring\ble_app_hrs_nfc_pairing.eww" example?

2b) If not, then what project and what changes (if any) have you made?

The error message indicates that the directory containing that header file is not added to the project.

I have no problem compiling the example, however the build fails in linking with "Error[Lt009]: Inconsistent wchar_t size" which is a known issue with IAR versions newer than somewhere around version 8.10. For solutions to the linker issue, have a look at the thread IAR Library (v7.xx to v8.xx) compatibility.

Regards,
Terje

[abe]

Hi Terje,

1-Here above my PDK signature

2a-Yes, the project is unmodified as contained in SDK 15.2.0

2b-...

The issue 2 seems for too long path on my PC, with Lt009 IAR issue (I weel know it)
Thanks, regards
Abe

[tesc]

Hi,

v0.9.0 is Engineering A revision of the nRF52840 IC (see IC revisions compatibility with development HW.) That means you might be experiencing Errata [144] NFCT: Not optimal NFC performance. It was fixed in metal for the Engineering B revision of the chip and as far as I can tell the software workaround is not used in the nRF5 SDK.

Regards,
Terje

[abe]

Hi
I will try the workaround on PDK board.
My custom board use a RIgado BMD-340 module, and I have same NFC issue.
Perhaps it has same issue? How can I read from BMD module the NRF52 chip info?

Many thanks
Abe

[tesc]

Hi,

According to the BMD-340 Module Datasheet, alt least if it is part number BMD-340-A-R then indeed it is revision A of the nRF52840-QIAA. I would think this holds true also for the -A-EVK and -EVK variants, but you may have to ask Rigado for that to be certain.

Apart from that, if you use a custom board or module then you may also need to do NFC Antenna Tuning, although if you experience very bad quality I would definitely check the erratas first.

Regards,
Terje

[abe]

Terje,

the workaround you said is already done inside SDK15.0 (see image below). Then, your suggest was not helpful for me. Any other ideas??

Regards
Abe

[tesc]

Hi,

In that case I would think it has to do with the compatibility between the NFC antenna used with the boards and the NFC antenna embedded in the phone. In  general, the antennas need to be of similar size in order to give best performance.

Can you try with other phones as well, and see if that works better? What phone were you trying with?

Regards,
Terje

[abe]

I was using two Huawei phones, P9 and P10 with same result. In effect, trying with Nexus 6P, the NFC coupling is more easy.

Thanks for the attention
Regards

abe