Internal Regulators Nrf9160

[RicFlair]

Hello All,

Does the module have internal regulators that can be used to power connected peripherals? There is the 1.8V output for Sim_1V8. Is this strictly dedicated to the sim card VCC pin or can this also be used to power external components. Can other pins be configured to output the 1.8v as well?

There is VDD_GPIO. But the datasheet confused me a bit as I originally thought this was an output pin that could be configured for 1.8v -3.3 but i believe it is input supply for GPIO's. So it appears that Power would need to be supplied to VDD (3-5.5) and then to VDD_GPIO (1.7-3.6)

Can anyone clarify a bit on this?

Thanks.

[Andreas]

Hi,

 

No, there is no internal regulators that can be used to power connected peripherals. The SIM_1V8 card should not be used for anything but the SIM card. You can source some power from the GPIOs themselves, but not a whole lot. Previously we've recommended to not exceed 15mA, I expect this to still be valid.

 

VDD_GPIO is the input of the GPIO power supply as you say, you can provide it with 1.8V-3.6V depending on what you want as logic high. VDD is the system power, and can be determined independently from VDD_GPIO (as long as they are both within their respective range), but obviously if your supply is 3.0-3.6V you can supply both VDD and VDD_GPIO in parallel.

 

Best regards,

Andreas

[RicFlair]

Thanks Andreas.

As a follow up, You mentioned that some power can be sourced from the GPIO's themselves is this with or without VDD_GPIO connected? What is the maximum recomended value?

Also, If VDD and VDD_GPIO can be the same. Would it be possibly to use a 3.7v Li-ion battery? or is 3.6v the absolute max for VDD_GPIO?

Thanks!

[Andreas]

Hi,

 

Power can only be drawn with VDD_GPIO connected, without it the GPIOs will not have power. There is no recommended VDD_GPIO voltage as far as we are concerned, as VDD_GPIO sets the pin voltage in logic high state you should chose the same voltage as whatever you have connected to the nRF9160 if you want to avoid level-shifters.

 

3.6V is recommended max for VDD_GPIO, the absolute max rating is 3.9V. 3.7V itself is fine, but exceeding 3.9V at any time (e.g. while charging) is not.

 

Best regards,

Andreas

[RicFlair]

Great! Thanks for the quick response! Happy New Year :)

[Andreas]

Hi,

 

Always happy to help. Happy new year!

 

Best regards,

Andreas

[apruikko]

Hi Andreas,

The nRF9160 OPS v0.7.1 defines IO_SUPPLY output (pin number 13). This pin is defined as "Reserved for Nordic use". I was told by some Nordic engineer that this pin will provide supply voltage for peripherals but is not fully implemented yet. However you stated that:

Andreas said:

No, there is no internal regulators that can be used to power connected peripherals.

Can you confirm what will be the final status for this IO_SUPPLY pin when the production release will occur in April 2019? Will it support IO_SUPPLY output so that it is possible to power VDD_GPIO pin and other external peripherals from this pin 13? Or is it necessary to have external supply for the VDD_GPIO and peripherals?