Adding a PA to the nRF24L01?

[abbes]

Has anyone added an external power amplifier to the nRF24L01?. For my application, I need to increase rf power.
What about a skywork Amplifier ? if there is any amplifier circuit please tell me about it and inform me about the pin connection . thank you

[Øyvind Karlsen]

Hi,

For connectivity to the PA you can use the VDD_PA pin on the nRF24L01 connected to the enable pin of the PA, this pin will go high when the radio goes into TX mode.

You can use nearly any 2,4GHz PA, however you need to be aware of the regulatory limitations. The main ones are noise on the harmonics, and the EIRP limit of 10dBm for BLE.

Best regards,

Øyvind

[Øyvind Karlsen]

While you cannot use the CC2590 at maximum power output for BLE(since it outputs 14dBm) you will be fine using it for proprietary modes.

You cannot connect ANT1 ANT2 directly to this IC, as they are not matched to 50ohms, follow the reference design and then connect the matched circuit to the input of the CC2590.

Some more advanced code is needed to utilize the LNA in the CC2590, but this is also possible.