nRF52832 module is outputting 0.59V. Is the module broken?

RE: nRF52832 module is outputting 0.59V. Is the module broken?

TomWS — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 22:06:34 GMT

Just as a follow up, I used the solder paste technique and was able to successfully solder all the pads on the MDBT42Q module and now have a fully functioning breakout board that is currently emulating the NRF52 DK board. Great forum!

RE: nRF52832 module is outputting 0.59V. Is the module broken?

TomWS — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 21:04:25 GMT

Eureka! Handsoldering did the trick. I've got 1.3V at DEC4 AND I'm able to access the chip using J-Link and nRFGo Studio! I managed to solder the 4 gnds, VDD, DEC4, XL1, XL2 (I do have an on-board 32.768KHz crystal), and the two SWD signals.

As you said, it wasn't trivial. I needed a VERY fine tip on the soldering iron and dabbed T4 solder paste on the joints to prime them. It turns out the module did have the S132 soft device installed on it but no application or bootloader as far as I could tell.

Thanks for your help and confirmation of my suspicions...

RE: nRF52832 module is outputting 0.59V. Is the module broken?

notsane0 — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 17:19:34 GMT

What do you mean you "can't get a response from the module? You should only need power and ground and possibly reset high to program the module. Most come blank ... Have you attempted to program it?

I'm not sure why the voltage on DEC4 would be indicative of the module being broken.

RE: nRF52832 module is outputting 0.59V. Is the module broken?

tBStar — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 15:50:15 GMT

To increase your chances of success, use 0.3mm solder with a lot of flux. Keep in mind the module doesn't come with an external 32.768 kHz RC oscillator which is optional. Once your get the module working, you will need to make some configuration changes to use the internal RC oscillator instead if you're planning not to use one. The only thing I can think of is setting NRFX_CLOCK_CONFIG_LF_SRC to 0 in your sdk_config.h for now. We will cross that bridge when we get to it. Good luck

RE: nRF52832 module is outputting 0.59V. Is the module broken?

TomWS — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 14:15:55 GMT

Yes, I'm thinking that the module broke during reflow soldering even though the temp didn't go above 218C. The module hasn't been sealed and I've had it in my office for a while. I probably should have baked it before reflow. As you suggest, I'll hand solder the next one (at least the few necessary pins) and see what I get. As you say, soldering together a couple of unprogrammed pins won't hurt anything. Thanks for the advice, I'll report back after I've tried it (will probably be tomorrow US EST).

RE: nRF52832 module is outputting 0.59V. Is the module broken?

tBStar — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 05:24:53 GMT

I've hand-soldered an MDBT42Q BLE module in the past, at least for me, it was nontrivial. I ended up solder join couple of non-essential pins but overall still workable with a 1.3ish V on DEC4. The only thing different I have is an LDO with 2 Caps since I am using Lipo battery. Other than, I have nothing else on the board. I was able to load Espruino on it with Segger J-Link without issues.

Try to power the module with a 3V coin cell without connecting anything to it and measure the DEC4 again. If you don't see 1.3V, that means 2 things: #1: you have joins that you missed or #2: the module is defective.

Good luck

RE: nRF52832 module is outputting 0.59V. Is the module broken?

TomWS — Sat, 23 Feb 2019 23:54:18 GMT

I made the breakout PCB and soldered it myself. The board is powered from a CR123 battery. I inspected the solder joints pretty thoroughly and they look fine. This module has 1mm pin pitch so it isn't especially challenging to solder.

As I said, I've pulled the Reset pin high. It bothers me that the unloaded DEC4 pin (other than 1uF cap) is reading 0.59V. It's supposed to be 1.3V as I understand it.

The J-Link VCC pin is connected to VDD rail, but, as far as I know, that's only to confirm power at the test board.

I've measured the voltages right at the module pins.

RE: nRF52832 module is outputting 0.59V. Is the module broken?

tBStar — Sat, 23 Feb 2019 23:34:22 GMT

It's hard to say, did you solder the custom board yourself or sold as is? DCC and DEC4 are not needed to program the module, just make sure the module and your J-link programmer are powered independently with 3.3V and your Reset is not grounded.

How are you powering your module to get 3.15V?