How to test the Radio on the hardware

RE: How to test the Radio on the hardware

Ole Morten — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 11:01:56 GMT

It's easier when you post unrelated questions separately instead of hijacking another one.

The PAN item definitely applies, but only actions that require an external crystal that will be affected if you don't do this. If you have trouble integrating the workaround, please post a separate question.

However, based on your description, it seems most likely that your low-frequency source is either wrong or does not work correctly. Did you check points 2 and 3 above?

As for the softdevice function definitions, you will not find any source for them, since they're implemented inside the softdevice. You will however find the function declaration in the header file. With Keil, you can jump to this using "Go to reference".

If you have further questions, I'd be happy if you could post new ones, preferably separating unrelated ones. :-)

RE: How to test the Radio on the hardware

Bastiaan — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 00:43:13 GMT

For the CEAA version of the chip, I think the BAL-NRF02D3 might be required. To my knowledge, the BAL-NRF01D3 is reserved for the QFAA version of the chip.

Nordic, can someone please comment if this is the case or not?

Good luck, Jamie

RE: How to test the Radio on the hardware

Guest — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 00:43:13 GMT

For the CEAA version of the chip, I think the BAL-NRF02D3 might be required. To my knowledge, the BAL-NRF01D3 is reserved for the QFAA version of the chip.

Nordic, can someone please comment if this is the case or not?

Good luck, Jamie

RE: How to test the Radio on the hardware

Rich — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 23:39:53 GMT

I have a similar issue. I can light up LEDs until the code hits the sd_softdevice_enable(). I am using a 32MHz crystal but I am not sure that the PAN-item 13 applies, as the notes indicate that the micro should not work at all.

Two things:

I tried implementing the fix indicated in the PAN above and it broke the code. I cannot seem to find somewhere to place this code that it will compile and the micro will still run.

Also, when I right click the function call of sd_softdevice_enable() it says:

Source Browser: 'sd_softdevice_enable' - undefined Definition/Reference!

I am somewhat puzzled why this still compiles if the function is not defined.

RE: How to test the Radio on the hardware

Ole Morten — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 15:03:35 GMT

See this question for details on low-frequency clock sources: https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/index.php/what-low-frequency-clock-sources-can-i-use

You obviously have to probe on one of the legs of your crystal. I added a picture of a sniffer probe to my answer. Also, if you use a 32 MHz crystal, you must implement the workaround for PAN-item 13: https://www.nordicsemi.com/eng/content/download/13496/217175/file/PAN_028_v1.6.pdf

RE: How to test the Radio on the hardware

balaji — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 11:55:18 GMT

Our application runs and we can able to detect the accelerometer device id connected in i2c bus. Point 2.) It's not possible to come out of the function itself. a) When you say low-frequency crystal, how to do this configuration? By default we are passing NRF_CLOCK_LFCLKSRC_XTAL_20_PPM. I have changed to NRF_CLOCK_LFCLKSRC_RC_250_PPM_500MS_CALIBRATION. Still it's not coming out of the sd_softdevice_enable() function.

is it possible to configure the RC Oscillator or External oscillator ? Kindly share the procedure.

b) Where to probe oscillator to Nordic chip?

We are using the 32MHZ external oscillator. Kindly provide the configuration option.

RE: How to test the Radio on the hardware

Ole Morten — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 09:26:58 GMT

It's hard to be specific on a generic question like this, but a couple of tips follow:

Make sure that your application actually runs (flash a LED on startup). If it doesn't, make sure that you've flashed the softdevice.
Make sure that you get pass the sd_softdevice_enable() function call. a) If you don't, and try to use a low-frequency crystal, try using the RC oscillator. If this works, your low-frequency crystal is mounted and/or loaded incorrectly. b) If you don't but use the low-frequency RC already, verify that your 16 MHz crystal is mounted and loaded correctly. Can you see any oscillation using an oscilloscope and a sniffer probe?
If you do pass sd_softdevice_enable(), but still don't see it in MCP, try moving the devices very close, to see if it could be a layout and/or tuning problem.

Edit: See attached picture of a sniffer probe.

RE: How to test the Radio on the hardware

cocoa — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 19:48:14 GMT

Hi, which is the antenna chip you have seen "from ST BAL-NRF01D3" ?

ST datasheet does not show any antenna chip.

-c