nRF52832 Custom board designing on single side pcb

[KYUBEEN]

Hi, I'm designing nRF52832 custom board, on 'single side' pcb.

To make VDD and GND lines connect, I used 4 jumpers, which have 0 ohms.

I designed with nRF52832-QFAB reference layout and pcb layout for internal LDO setup, but little difference from pcb layout to make on single side pcb.

But for some reason, I cannot use this pcb when I connect it to my DK board, using Keil. Everytime I connect and loading the example code on it, I got this error message.

I am absolutely have no idea what is the problem for this error, since with double side pcb with reference layout and pcb layout from this Nordic, there was no error like this.

Hope anyone can tell me what brings that kind of error. In my opinion, its because of soldering problem or the design problem, since same code is work for double side pcb.

Any recommends for the design or error will be very appreciated for me. Thank you. 

[KYUBEEN]

The error message shows up when I connect my custom board to my DK board with this configuration.

DK board                                                 Custom board

VDD, VTG  -------------------------------->          VDD

GND ----------------------------------------->          GND

SWDIO -------------------------------------->          SWDIO

SWDCLK ------------------------------------>          SWDCLK

As followed the recommendations in error message, I got log file(inserted on this reply) but still have no idea what brings this problem.

Also, trying to find out how to using Segger tools and scope my power supply to check drooping. 

Thank you for your kind replys 'awneil' and 'Nguyen Hoan Hoang'

[awneil]

Remember that we can't see what you're doing - you have to explain clearly, completely,  and in detail!

KYUBEEN said:

The error message shows up when I connect my custom board

What, exactly, do you mean by "connect"

• physically plug things together ?
• try to launch a connection in your IDE ?
• other ??

[KYUBEEN]

Sorry for my ambiguity.

First, I connect my DK board with my PC. Then physically connect the VDD, VTG, GND, SWDIO, SWDCLK pins in DK board to my custom board. After that, I started programming from command 'nrfjprog' and Arguments '--family nrf52 --eraseall --log'.

I will check the suggestions you tagged. Thanks again.

[Kaja]

Hi, 

make sure you power the pcb. Let us know if you where able to connect or not. 

If you want me to give you a HW review, please upload HW design files, if you want you make the case private or make a new private ticket, or share in this public case. 

Best regards,
Kaja

[KYUBEEN]

Which HW design files do you need? I have pcb layouts and bills of materials file. 

[awneil]

schematic?

[Kaja]

Schematic and layout would be good

Best regards,
Kaja

[KYUBEEN]

I attached two files on message to you Kaja. Hope you review my HW designs

[Kaja]

Great, 

I just replied you. 

For the public ticket:

It's not easy to do the grounding correctly in just one layer, it's very important to ground the RF components properly. Also, for good antenna gain, the ground plane needs be be as large as possible, not small traces. 

We have not done any reference designs with one layer, and we do recommend using 2 or more layers. 

Best regards,
Kaja