Current Measurement verification using Power Profiler Kit 2

[Ridhi]

Case 1: Using nrf52832, solder bridge cut: what current values do the PPK gives : is it of the entire dev kit with all peripherals, programmer and BLE Soc or does it measure current of BLE SoC alone.

Case 2: while using external supply and ameter in series does the current accounts for entire dev kit or only the SoC

Case 3: how to measure current of SoC and sensors interfaced alone 

[Stian Røed Hafskjold]

Hi,

There are two main power domains on the nRF52 DK:

1. VDD
2. VDD_nRF

The current that goes through the P22 header is the VDD_nRF power domain, meaning that you will only measure the current that goes to the nRF52.

The VDD domain on the DK powers the JLink debugger chip, LEDs, buttons etc. Everything on the DK except the nRF52. VDD can be powered from P21, or USB, or using a coin cell.

If the sensors you are connecting are powered from one of the pins on the DK labeled VDD, the sensors will be powered from the VDD domain. Hence, you will not measure the current for those sensors through the P22 header. In this case you have two options:

1. Measure the current to nRF52 only through P22
2. Measure the current for everything. nRF52, sensors, DK, debugger, etc, by powering and measuring the current that goes into P21.

Alternatively, you can power the sensors from the VDD_nRF domain. Then you will measure the current going to both the sensors and the nRF52 on P22, but not the rest of the DK. If you want to do this you can power the sensor on the VDD_nRF pin on the P20 header.

[Ridhi]

Winbond W25Q16JV Serial Flash Memory:

sck pin 28

miso piN  29

mosi pin 30

cs pin 31

vdd pin wp

gnd pin gnd

STTS751:

adress pin vdd

vdd

gnd

sda pin 24

scl pin 23

power the dev kit with coin cell

PPK kit powered by usb and 

cut SB9 on nrf52832 measuring from P22 

So, in this case how will i get total current measurement for sensors, and nrf52

[Stian Røed Hafskjold]

Yes, you can measure the current through P22. But to add the current for the sensors, they will have to be powered from VDD_nRF (on P20), so connect all VDD pins on the sensors to the VDD_nRF on P20, and the PPK will measure the current for both the nRF52 and the sensors on P22.

[Ridhi]

1). if i have sensors connected to VDD on P13 will it be ok or is it mandatory to connect them on P20

2). how will i connect 2 sensors i nrf52832 board P20 as in that only one vdd is there

[Stian Røed Hafskjold]

VDD on P13 is not part of the current that goes to VDD_nRF, so it will not be measured when measuring the current through P22.

If you want to connect two wires to the the VDD_nRF pin on P20, you will have to be creative. Split the wire, use a breadboard, solder the wires on the header, use crocodile clips, etc. There are many possibilities.