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Power consumption of ble_app_beacon and SPI

Hello,
I'm trying to integrate an SPI slave into ble_app_beacon example. Power consumption of ble_app_beacon between advertising is up to 10 uA. But if I write a byte over SPI I immediately get idle power consumption up to 460 uA. Below is source code of the example. If line as_spi_write_reg (0x00,0x00); is commented out, power consumption is 10 uA. If the line is not commented out, 460 uA. How could I reset the power consumption back to 10 uA?

#include <stdbool.h>
#include <stdint.h>
#include "nordic_common.h"
//#include "bsp.h"
#include "nrf_soc.h"
#include "nrf_sdh.h"
#include "nrf_sdh_ble.h"
#include "ble_advdata.h"
#include "app_timer.h"
#include "nrf_pwr_mgmt.h"

#include "nrf_log.h"
#include "nrf_log_ctrl.h"
#include "nrf_log_default_backends.h"

#include "nrf_drv_spi.h"
#include "app_util_platform.h"
#include "nrf_gpio.h"
#include "nrf_delay.h"

//#include "nrf_spi_mngr.h"


#define APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG            1                                  /**< A tag identifying the SoftDevice BLE configuration. */
#define APP_BLE_OBSERVER_PRIO           3                                       /**< Application's BLE observer priority. You shouldn't need to modify this value. */

#define NON_CONNECTABLE_ADV_INTERVAL    MSEC_TO_UNITS(5000, UNIT_0_625_MS)  /**< The advertising interval for non-connectable advertisement (100 ms). This value can vary between 100ms to 10.24s). */

#define APP_BEACON_INFO_LENGTH          0x17                               /**< Total length of information advertised by the Beacon. */
#define APP_ADV_DATA_LENGTH             0x15                               /**< Length of manufacturer specific data in the advertisement. */
#define APP_DEVICE_TYPE                 0x02                               /**< 0x02 refers to Beacon. */
#define APP_MEASURED_RSSI               0xC3                               /**< The Beacon's measured RSSI at 1 meter distance in dBm. */
#define APP_COMPANY_IDENTIFIER          0x0059                             /**< Company identifier for Nordic Semiconductor ASA. as per www.bluetooth.org. */
#define APP_MAJOR_VALUE                 0x01, 0x02                         /**< Major value used to identify Beacons. */
#define APP_MINOR_VALUE                 0x03, 0x04                         /**< Minor value used to identify Beacons. */
#define APP_BEACON_UUID                 0x01, 0x12, 0x23, 0x34, \
                                        0x45, 0x56, 0x67, 0x78, \
                                        0x89, 0x9a, 0xab, 0xbc, \
                                        0xcd, 0xde, 0xef, 0xf0            /**< Proprietary UUID for Beacon. */

#define DEAD_BEEF                       0xDEADBEEF                         /**< Value used as error code on stack dump, can be used to identify stack location on stack unwind. */

#if defined(USE_UICR_FOR_MAJ_MIN_VALUES)
#define MAJ_VAL_OFFSET_IN_BEACON_INFO   18                                 /**< Position of the MSB of the Major Value in m_beacon_info array. */
#define UICR_ADDRESS                    0x10001080                         /**< Address of the UICR register used by this example. The major and minor versions to be encoded into the advertising data will be picked up from this location. */
#endif

static ble_gap_adv_params_t m_adv_params;                                  /**< Parameters to be passed to the stack when starting advertising. */
static uint8_t              m_adv_handle = BLE_GAP_ADV_SET_HANDLE_NOT_SET; /**< Advertising handle used to identify an advertising set. */
static uint8_t              m_enc_advdata[BLE_GAP_ADV_SET_DATA_SIZE_MAX];  /**< Buffer for storing an encoded advertising set. */




//****************************************************************************// 
// SPI DEFINITIONS
//****************************************************************************//

#define SIZE_OF_SPI_BUF 20
static uint8_t       tx_spi_buf[SIZE_OF_SPI_BUF];           /**< TX buffer. */
static uint8_t       rx_spi_buf[SIZE_OF_SPI_BUF];    /**< RX buffer. */
//static const uint8_t m_length = SIZE_OF_BUF;        /**< Transfer length. */

#define SPI_INSTANCE  0 /**< SPI instance index. */
static const nrf_drv_spi_t spi = NRF_DRV_SPI_INSTANCE(SPI_INSTANCE);  /**< SPI instance. */
static volatile bool spi_xfer_done;  /**< Flag used to indicate that SPI instance completed the transfer. */

#define SPI_SCK_PIN               26
#define SPI_MOSI_PIN              29
#define SPI_MISO_PIN              30

#define AS_SPI_CS                 31



//****************************************************************************// 
// SPI FUNCTIONS
//****************************************************************************//
void as_spi_write_reg(uint8_t addr, uint8_t data)
{
   // Reset rx buffer and transfer done flag
   memset(rx_spi_buf, 0, SIZE_OF_SPI_BUF);
   spi_xfer_done = false;

   tx_spi_buf[0] = addr;
   tx_spi_buf[1] = data;
   nrf_gpio_pin_set(AS_SPI_CS);
   APP_ERROR_CHECK(nrf_drv_spi_transfer(&spi, tx_spi_buf, 2, rx_spi_buf, 0));   
   while (!spi_xfer_done) __WFE();  //Wait For Event
   nrf_gpio_pin_clear(AS_SPI_CS);
}

/**
 * @brief SPI user event handler.
 * @param event
 */
void spi_event_handler(nrf_drv_spi_evt_t const * p_event,
                       void *                    p_context)
{
    spi_xfer_done = true;

}





//****************************************************************************// 
// BLE FUNCTIONS
//****************************************************************************//
/**@brief Struct that contains pointers to the encoded advertising data. */
static ble_gap_adv_data_t m_adv_data =
{
    .adv_data =
    {
        .p_data = m_enc_advdata,
        .len    = BLE_GAP_ADV_SET_DATA_SIZE_MAX
    },
    .scan_rsp_data =
    {
        .p_data = NULL,
        .len    = 0

    }
};


static uint8_t m_beacon_info[APP_BEACON_INFO_LENGTH] =                    /**< Information advertised by the Beacon. */
{
    APP_DEVICE_TYPE,     // Manufacturer specific information. Specifies the device type in this
                         // implementation.
    APP_ADV_DATA_LENGTH, // Manufacturer specific information. Specifies the length of the
                         // manufacturer specific data in this implementation.
    APP_BEACON_UUID,     // 128 bit UUID value.
    APP_MAJOR_VALUE,     // Major arbitrary value that can be used to distinguish between Beacons.
    APP_MINOR_VALUE,     // Minor arbitrary value that can be used to distinguish between Beacons.
    APP_MEASURED_RSSI    // Manufacturer specific information. The Beacon's measured TX power in
                         // this implementation.
};


/**@brief Callback function for asserts in the SoftDevice.
 *
 * @details This function will be called in case of an assert in the SoftDevice.
 *
 * @warning This handler is an example only and does not fit a final product. You need to analyze
 *          how your product is supposed to react in case of Assert.
 * @warning On assert from the SoftDevice, the system can only recover on reset.
 *
 * @param[in]   line_num   Line number of the failing ASSERT call.
 * @param[in]   file_name  File name of the failing ASSERT call.
 */
void assert_nrf_callback(uint16_t line_num, const uint8_t * p_file_name)
{
    app_error_handler(DEAD_BEEF, line_num, p_file_name);
}

/**@brief Function for initializing the Advertising functionality.
 *
 * @details Encodes the required advertising data and passes it to the stack.
 *          Also builds a structure to be passed to the stack when starting advertising.
 */
static void advertising_init(void)
{
    uint32_t      err_code;
    ble_advdata_t advdata;
    uint8_t       flags = BLE_GAP_ADV_FLAG_BR_EDR_NOT_SUPPORTED;

    ble_advdata_manuf_data_t manuf_specific_data;

    manuf_specific_data.company_identifier = APP_COMPANY_IDENTIFIER;

#if defined(USE_UICR_FOR_MAJ_MIN_VALUES)
    // If USE_UICR_FOR_MAJ_MIN_VALUES is defined, the major and minor values will be read from the
    // UICR instead of using the default values. The major and minor values obtained from the UICR
    // are encoded into advertising data in big endian order (MSB First).
    // To set the UICR used by this example to a desired value, write to the address 0x10001080
    // using the nrfjprog tool. The command to be used is as follows.
    // nrfjprog --snr <Segger-chip-Serial-Number> --memwr 0x10001080 --val <your major/minor value>
    // For example, for a major value and minor value of 0xabcd and 0x0102 respectively, the
    // the following command should be used.
    // nrfjprog --snr <Segger-chip-Serial-Number> --memwr 0x10001080 --val 0xabcd0102
    uint16_t major_value = ((*(uint32_t *)UICR_ADDRESS) & 0xFFFF0000) >> 16;
    uint16_t minor_value = ((*(uint32_t *)UICR_ADDRESS) & 0x0000FFFF);

    uint8_t index = MAJ_VAL_OFFSET_IN_BEACON_INFO;

    m_beacon_info[index++] = MSB_16(major_value);
    m_beacon_info[index++] = LSB_16(major_value);

    m_beacon_info[index++] = MSB_16(minor_value);
    m_beacon_info[index++] = LSB_16(minor_value);
#endif

    manuf_specific_data.data.p_data = (uint8_t *) m_beacon_info;
    manuf_specific_data.data.size   = APP_BEACON_INFO_LENGTH;

    // Build and set advertising data.
    memset(&advdata, 0, sizeof(advdata));

    advdata.name_type             = BLE_ADVDATA_NO_NAME;
    advdata.flags                 = flags;
    advdata.p_manuf_specific_data = &manuf_specific_data;

    // Initialize advertising parameters (used when starting advertising).
    memset(&m_adv_params, 0, sizeof(m_adv_params));

    //m_adv_params.properties.type = BLE_GAP_ADV_TYPE_NONCONNECTABLE_NONSCANNABLE_UNDIRECTED;
    m_adv_params.properties.type = BLE_GAP_ADV_TYPE_NONCONNECTABLE_SCANNABLE_UNDIRECTED;
    m_adv_params.p_peer_addr     = NULL;    // Undirected advertisement.
    m_adv_params.filter_policy   = BLE_GAP_ADV_FP_ANY;
    m_adv_params.interval        = NON_CONNECTABLE_ADV_INTERVAL;
    m_adv_params.duration        = 0;       // Never time out.

    m_adv_params.scan_req_notification = 1;   //VLS

    err_code = ble_advdata_encode(&advdata, m_adv_data.adv_data.p_data, &m_adv_data.adv_data.len);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    err_code = sd_ble_gap_adv_set_configure(&m_adv_handle, &m_adv_data, &m_adv_params);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for starting advertising.
 */
static void advertising_start(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    err_code = sd_ble_gap_adv_start(m_adv_handle, APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    //err_code = bsp_indication_set(BSP_INDICATE_ADVERTISING);
    //APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for handling BLE events.
 *
 * @param[in]   p_ble_evt   Bluetooth stack event.
 * @param[in]   p_context   Unused.
 */
static void ble_evt_handler(ble_evt_t const * p_ble_evt, void * p_context)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    switch (p_ble_evt->header.evt_id)
    {
    case BLE_GAP_EVT_SCAN_REQ_REPORT: 
      NRF_LOG_INFO("RSSI %d",p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.params.scan_req_report.rssi);
      break;

    default:
      // No implementation needed.
      break;
    }
}

/**@brief Function for initializing the BLE stack.
 *
 * @details Initializes the SoftDevice and the BLE event interrupt.
 */
static void ble_stack_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    err_code = nrf_sdh_enable_request();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Configure the BLE stack using the default settings.
    // Fetch the start address of the application RAM.
    uint32_t ram_start = 0;
    err_code = nrf_sdh_ble_default_cfg_set(APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG, &ram_start);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Enable BLE stack.
    err_code = nrf_sdh_ble_enable(&ram_start);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Register a handler for BLE events.
    NRF_SDH_BLE_OBSERVER(m_ble_observer, APP_BLE_OBSERVER_PRIO, ble_evt_handler, NULL);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing logging. */
static void log_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code = NRF_LOG_INIT(NULL);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    NRF_LOG_DEFAULT_BACKENDS_INIT();
}


/**@brief Function for initializing timers. */
static void timers_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code = app_timer_init();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing power management.
 */
static void power_management_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;
    err_code = nrf_pwr_mgmt_init();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for handling the idle state (main loop).
 *
 * @details If there is no pending log operation, then sleep until next the next event occurs.
 */
static void idle_state_handle(void)
{
    if (NRF_LOG_PROCESS() == false)
    {
        nrf_pwr_mgmt_run();
    }
}

/**
 * @brief Function for application main entry.
 */
int main(void)
{
    // Initialize.
    log_init();
    timers_init();
    power_management_init();
    ble_stack_init();
    advertising_init();

    // Start execution.
    NRF_LOG_INFO("Beacon started.");
    advertising_start();


    nrf_drv_spi_config_t spi_config = NRF_DRV_SPI_DEFAULT_CONFIG;
    nrf_gpio_cfg_output(AS_SPI_CS);
    nrf_gpio_pin_clear(AS_SPI_CS);
    spi_config.miso_pin = SPI_MISO_PIN;
    spi_config.mosi_pin = SPI_MOSI_PIN;
    spi_config.sck_pin  = SPI_SCK_PIN;
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(nrf_drv_spi_init(&spi, &spi_config, spi_event_handler, NULL));


    as_spi_write_reg(0x00,0x00);

    // Enter main loop.
    for (;;)
    {
        idle_state_handle();

    }
}

Thanks in advance

SDK_17.0.0_9d13099, nRF52832

Parents
  • Hi,

    Could you try to implement the workaround suggested here.

    regards
    Jared

  • Hi Jared, thanks for the feedback!


    I tried switching the SPI off and then on again as described in the workaround. Power consumption resets itself. But when I initialize the SPI again, I get an error message

    <error> app: Fatal error

    <warning> app: System reset.

    Below is source code from the main function:

    int main(void)
    {
        // Initialize.
        log_init();
        timers_init();
        power_management_init();
        ble_stack_init();
        advertising_init();
    
        // Start execution.
        NRF_LOG_INFO("Beacon started.");
        advertising_start();
    
    
        nrf_drv_spi_config_t spi_config = NRF_DRV_SPI_DEFAULT_CONFIG;
        nrf_gpio_cfg_output(AS_SPI_CS);
        nrf_gpio_pin_clear(AS_SPI_CS);
        spi_config.miso_pin = SPI_MISO_PIN;
        spi_config.mosi_pin = SPI_MOSI_PIN;
        spi_config.sck_pin  = SPI_SCK_PIN;
        APP_ERROR_CHECK(nrf_drv_spi_init(&spi, &spi_config, spi_event_handler, NULL));
    
    
        as_spi_write_reg(0x00,0x00);
        //[89] GPIOTE: Static 400 µA current while using GPIOTE
        *(volatile uint32_t *)0x40003FFC = 0; //Turn the SPIM off 
        *(volatile uint32_t *)0x40003FFC;
        *(volatile uint32_t *)0x40003FFC = 1; //Turn the SPIM on
    
        //Reconfiguration of SPIM
        APP_ERROR_CHECK(nrf_drv_spi_init(&spi, &spi_config, spi_event_handler, NULL));  
        //<error> app: Fatal error 
        //<warning> app: System reset
    
        // Enter main loop.
        for (;;)
        {
            idle_state_handle();
    
        }
    }

    Thanks in advance

    SDK_17.0.0_9d13099, nRF52832

Reply
  • Hi Jared, thanks for the feedback!


    I tried switching the SPI off and then on again as described in the workaround. Power consumption resets itself. But when I initialize the SPI again, I get an error message

    <error> app: Fatal error

    <warning> app: System reset.

    Below is source code from the main function:

    int main(void)
    {
        // Initialize.
        log_init();
        timers_init();
        power_management_init();
        ble_stack_init();
        advertising_init();
    
        // Start execution.
        NRF_LOG_INFO("Beacon started.");
        advertising_start();
    
    
        nrf_drv_spi_config_t spi_config = NRF_DRV_SPI_DEFAULT_CONFIG;
        nrf_gpio_cfg_output(AS_SPI_CS);
        nrf_gpio_pin_clear(AS_SPI_CS);
        spi_config.miso_pin = SPI_MISO_PIN;
        spi_config.mosi_pin = SPI_MOSI_PIN;
        spi_config.sck_pin  = SPI_SCK_PIN;
        APP_ERROR_CHECK(nrf_drv_spi_init(&spi, &spi_config, spi_event_handler, NULL));
    
    
        as_spi_write_reg(0x00,0x00);
        //[89] GPIOTE: Static 400 µA current while using GPIOTE
        *(volatile uint32_t *)0x40003FFC = 0; //Turn the SPIM off 
        *(volatile uint32_t *)0x40003FFC;
        *(volatile uint32_t *)0x40003FFC = 1; //Turn the SPIM on
    
        //Reconfiguration of SPIM
        APP_ERROR_CHECK(nrf_drv_spi_init(&spi, &spi_config, spi_event_handler, NULL));  
        //<error> app: Fatal error 
        //<warning> app: System reset
    
        // Enter main loop.
        for (;;)
        {
            idle_state_handle();
    
        }
    }

    Thanks in advance

    SDK_17.0.0_9d13099, nRF52832

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