BLE power optimization

[ilia]

Hello, 

I am trying to make a simple power optimized BLE peripheral device based on nRF52840.

Here is the chart from the Power Profiler

The device advertises once in 2.5 seconds (big spikes on the chart ~7mA). Also I have a timer for my time counter, it fires up every second (smaller spikes ~40 micro Amps).  The device is in SystemOn state. I do call nrf_pwr_mgmt_run() in a loop inside main.

I am wondering what causes constant consumption ~12 micro Amps.

Is there a complete power optimized example for a simple BLE peripheral?

[Stian Røed Hafskjold]

Hi, the floor current consumption should be around 2-3 uA when BLE is enabled. If you see 12 uA on your custom board but not on the DK there must be something on your custom board that consumes about 10uA. It's not possible for me to comment on what the reason could be without knowing anything about your custom board.

The ble_app_pwr_profiling is a power optimized example. It starts out in system OFF, before button 1 or 2 is pushed. In system OFF you should see around 0.3uA. Then, after pushing one of the, buttons it starts to advertise and consumes about 2-3 uA between the advertising events.

[ilia]

Hi. Thank you I will inspect my hardware. I will have a look at ble_app_pwr_profiling.

Could you please tell what is responsible for those spikes up to ~14 uA on the chart for nRF52840DK?

[Stian Røed Hafskjold]

Hi, I think these are refresh mode spikes. If you search for "refresh mode" in this forum you will find more info, and plots you can compare with.