Can voltage change radio behavior/timing?

[cpeng]

Hi Devzone:

We are testing TX and RX range with our customized boards, and encountered a rather bizarre problem:

The connection range is pretty good indoor, maybe 20~30 yards, but as soon as the TX is moved outdoor, the connection is decimated beyond a few inches.

We tested the same code on Nordic DK board, the connection is all good, irregardless of indoor or outdoor.

We have been troubleshooting what could be possibly wrong beside a crappy antenna on our board (since the indoor range is still good with out board)

The one difference between Nordic DK boards and our boards is that Nordic DK boards are supplied with VDD of 3V, ours use 1.8V.

So here is my question:

Can 1.8V VDD impact radio behavior/mode/timing?

Thanks.

[Jay Tyzzer]

Are you using the DC /DC or straight LDO? 

Per the Nordic datasheet the 528xx's full RF performance is available for system voltages down to 1.8V. The radio runs at 1.3V which the internal  internal LDO derives from your system voltage.  Therefore the output will be flat throughout the specified voltage range.  Same with sensitivity.