Verification for schematic for custom Board

[Moghees]

Hi,

We are design custom Board using nRF52840 SOC.

1. We are operating it in Normal mode, using internal DCDC converter
2. We have used configuration 5 from reference design
3. From reference design we have removed NFC pins connection and USB connection because we do not need it in our design
4. We will be programing our custom board using nRF52840 DK
5. We have attach led using load switch at P0.15
6. We have attach buzzer using load switch at P0.16
7. We have attach button at P0.24
8. We have taken antenna schematic from nRF52840DK hardware files and remove external connector. Have we done it correctly?
9. Have we connected reset button correctly?

I am attaching the Schematic design for our board can you verify it if it is correct or we are missing something, If it is unclear in picture I can also attach schematic file

Thanks in advance

Regards,

Moghees Bin Zahid

[Martin Sivertsen]

Hi Moghees,

Thanks for the detailed information.

When not using USB you can ground VBUS as seen in circuit configuration no. 6:

We have taken antenna schematic from nRF52840DK hardware files and remove external connector. Have we done it correctly?

Yes, but whether or not you only need antenna matching component C23 depends on what type of antenna you are planning on using. If you are copying the antenna layout from the nRF52840 DK, then one antenna matching component will probably work fine, otherwise we'd recommend a pi-network of antenna matching components for greater versatility in tuning the antenna.

The reset button is connected correctly.

What's just as critical is the PCB layout, so feel free to share that when you have it done and we can take a look at it.
If you follow the reference layout exactly you shouldn't have any issues.

Best regards,

Martin S.

[Moghees]

Hi Martin,

How are you?

After successful testing of version 1 of the board, we are going to design version 2. Requirements are:

1. It should be battery operated, we will be using pair of 4xAA cells in series
2. It should be capable of Battery Monitoring (using pin P0.29/AIN5)
3. Interface for motor control (using pin P0.20 and P0.22)
4. Interface to attach Reed switch (using pin P0.13)
5. Interface to attach 2 micro Switch (using in P0.24 and P0.25)

Can you kindly verify Schematics and answer my following questions:

1. Are GPIOs mentioned above fine or should I use other ones?
2. I am using the same Ferrit Bead for Battery as of USB-C, is it ok?
3. As I am operating nRF52840 SoC on 3V, the ADC channel can only take a max of 3V as input, for that purpose I am using Zener Diode can you verify Battery Monitoring Circuit? (Zener Datasheet)
4. Now we have 2 power sources i.e, 5V from USB-C and 6V from the battery, for source selection I am using Schottky Barrier Diode Oring Scheme, can you verify its circuit? (Schottky Barrier Diode Datasheet)
5. I am using Linear voltage regulator HT7830 for getting 3V to run nRF52840 SoC. (Ht7830 Datasheet)
6. I am exposing pins to connect the micro and Reed switch, is it ok?
7. Do you recommend adding capacitors with motor driver IC? As shown in following Image:
   

Note: Please find attached a PDF file containing Schematic files for LL_V2.0

Thanks in advance

Regards,
Moghees Bin Zahid

LL_V2.0_Schematics.pdf

[Martin Sivertsen]

You're welcome!

[Moghees]

Hi Martin,

I want to ask If it is possible for you to kindly check out if there is any trace on Version 2 of PCB design that can cause problem/Interference to onboard BLE antenna for nRF52840 SoC, the rest of the things I will look on my own?

If yes kindly tell me I will upload PCB files

Regards,

Moghees Bin Zahid

[Martin Sivertsen]

Hello Moghees,

I'm not sure I understand the request. 

You want me to check if there is any trace on version 2 of your PCB design that can cause interference with the antenna?

I'll have to take a look at the layout files to see that, so you can upload them whenever you feel ready.

Best regards,

Martin S.

[Moghees]

Martin Sivertsen said:

You want me to check if there is any trace on version 2 of your PCB design that can cause interference with the antenna?

Yes

Martin Sivertsen said:

I'll have to take a look at the layout files to see that, so you can upload them whenever you feel ready.

Let me finalize the design. I have to change a few components due to the unavailability of them with the PCB manufacturer. Once I get it finalized on my end I will share it with you

Regards,

Moghees Bin Zahid

[Moghees]

Hi Martin,
I have finalized the PCB Design. Kindly check for antenna interference. Following components that are linked with antenna or nRF52840 SoC have been changed. Kindly see if they are correct and will not cause any problem to the antenna:

1. L2 (attach with pin DCC)
2. C1, C2, C17, C18 (with crystal X1 and X2)

3. C4 (on RF Antenna)

Note: I have updated the PCB design and Please find attached zip fine containing hardware, BOM, Gerber, Pick and Place files
LL_v2.0.1.zip


Regards,

Moghees Bin Zahid

[Martin Sivertsen]

Hi Moghees,

I have a bit of a workload at the moment.

I have my last day of work tomorrow before two weeks of holiday, I'll try to look at your board if I can, but worst case it'll have to wait until after new years.

Best regards,

Martin S. 

[Martin Sivertsen]

Hi Moghees,

Apologies for the delay, but I am back from holiday now and have looked at your design mainly with regards to the antenna interference question.

All looks to be in order there, the placement of L2, C1, C2, C17, C18 and C4 will have no impact on the antenna.

I would remove the small sliver of copper on the top and bottom layer marked with green.

A lot of vias are placed in a way that creates a very small clearance gap (marked with red arrows), please move these so the clearance conforms with the clearance that your PCB manufacturer can produce within a standard process. The provider NCAB for example has a minimum of 0.075 mm gap for a standard process (and 0.05 mm for an advanced process which costs more). Check your PCB manufacturer to see what clearance tolerances they have:

Best regards,

Martin S.

[Moghees]

Thankyou for the reply

[Moghees]

Hi Martin,
We want to calculate the power consumption of our Custom Board
I want to ask if we can measure custom board power consumption using Power Profiler Kit II?
If yes what are the connections we need to make so that we can get ower consumption of our custom board?

Regards,

Moghees

[Martin Sivertsen]

Hi Moghees,

Yes you can use the PPK II to measure the total current consumption of your device.

You could solder pin headers in the holes where the battery connector is supposed to be and connect your DUT (Device Under Test) to the PPK using jumper wires, and measure current in source meter mode. Note that this mode has a maximum admissible current of 600 mA, ampere meter mode lets you draw up to 1 A of continuous current, but requires a different connection scheme.

Best regards,

Martin S.