PPK: nRF Connect GUI hangs when I change voltage regulator level

[pieterc]

Hi everyone,

I am using the PPK to supply 3V to an external device and measure the current consumption.

When I start nrF Connect, connect to the PPK and change the Voltage Regulator value (from default 2.1V to 3V) the GUI hangs. The scrolling graph from right to left stops. When I click on the Power OFF button, it is reported that "PPK command failed" in the Log window.

I can measure that the output voltage did change to 3V (2.912V actually). If I select "Close Device" and reopen the device, it is reported "Corrupt data detected, please check connection to PPK".

If I close nRF Connect and reopen it and connect to the PPK then the Voltage Regulator output is 3V (2.912V actually)

Info that may help:

1. nrF Connect v3.3.0

2. SEGGER version: J-Link OB-SAM3U128-V2-NordicSemi compiled Jan 7 2019 14:07:15

3. Device s/n 000682661360 (PCA10040)

3. SW2 (DUT select) set to External

4. SW4 (Power select) set to Reg.

5. COM slide switch set to DK

Any tips / hints would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Pieter

https://piconomix.com

[Jørgen Holmefjord]

Hi,

Since you have set the COM switch to DK, I assume that you have connected the PPK on top of the DK, and use the power from the DK to supply the PPK and DUT? Please have a look at this answer.

Best regards,
Jørgen

[pieterc]

Hi Jørgen,

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes you are correct: the PPK is plugged on top of the DK and using the power from the DK to supply the PPK and DUT. Unfortunately I read the answer page that you provided, but do not understand how it applies and what the fix is, sorry :( Would you mind elaborating your answer?

I am following the instructions as stated in the user manual:

Thanks in advance,

Pieter

[Jørgen Holmefjord]

The main problem with using the reg mode is that the measurements will not be correct, as mentioned in the documentation:

"Make sure that the PPK regulator voltage exactly matches the nRF5 DK voltage. Otherwise, current leakage may occur and lead to erroneous current readings."

I think that the issue you are seeing is related to the voltage of the regulator getting too low for the debug-chip on the DK to be able to communicate with the nRF on the PPK (since this will be powered with the regulator voltage). The J-Link OB debugger on the DK does not support level shifting, meaning it will only work with devices running on 3 V.

[pieterc]

Hi Jørgen,

This is not the issue that I am seeing. When the PPK / DK combo is connected, the default output voltage is 2.1V. When I touch the slider on the GUI to change the output voltage to 3V, the GUI hangs. It looks like the GUI loses communication with the DK. Communication is re-established If I close the GUI and reopen it. The output voltage is 3V and I can continue with my testing as long as I do not touch that slider.

Pieter

[Jørgen Holmefjord]

Have you measured the voltage on the PPK in the "default state"? I would assume that it use the DK voltage by default and that once you touch the slider, it will try to configure the regulator on the PPK to whatever value it hits first, and then looses connection.

[sirio]

I am seeing the same issue with "Voltage Regulator" slider being broken.

If I use the app without touching voltage regulator, it works.

After adjusting voltage, buttons work but no output (lost comm with PPK?).

My version info:

Version: 2.3.1
Official: true
Supported engines: nRF Connect ^3.3.0
Current engine: nRF Connect 3.3.3
App directory: C:\Users\username\.nrfconnect-apps\node_modules\pc-nrfconnect-ppk

my OS: Windows 10

PPK hardware: PCA63511

PPK output when app connects:

22:44:40.033	SEGGER serial: 682800553
22:44:40.033	SEGGER speed: 2000 kHz
22:44:40.033	SEGGER version: J-Link OB-SAM3U128-V2-NordicSemi compiled Mar 17 2020 14:43:00