Different nrfConnect and Power Profiler version shows different results with same firmware

[pd@learner]

Hi,

I have the Power Profiler Kit PCA63511 used on top of the dev kit PCA10040. I am trying to measure the power consumption of my custom hardware implementing nrf52832 using the Power Profiler App.

I connected my custom board acc to Measuring current on custom hardware with an nRF5 DK

I have used the following versions.

New Versions on one laptop
nrfConnect - v3.7.1
Power Profiler - v3.1.3

Before connecting the custom board to PPK it shows noise waveform. I think it should be a flat line as I observed on old versions.

new_nrf_connect_sleep_current_with_timer_txp_4_1s

new_nrf_connect_avg_current_with_timer_txp_4_1s

nrfConnect - v3.6
Power Profiler - v2.3.1

old_nrf_connect_sleep_current_with_timer_txp_4_1s

new_nrf_connect_avg_current_with_timer_txp_4_1s

I have tested the same custom board with the same firmware the above version and the old version I am not getting the same results.
Which results should I consider?

please find the attachments.

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi,

 

Before connecting the custom board to PPK it shows noise waveform. I think it should be a flat line as I observed on old versions.

The image shows ~55 nA. If you zoom out, it will be more-or-less flat.

 

Your average over time is quite equal on both new and old. Selection of old and new is approx. 22 uA vs 23 uA, while the sleep current is a bit changed.

This can be a board-to-board variation as well as the accuracy of the PPK v1:

https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/ug_ppk/UG/ppk/ppk_measure_accuracy.html?cp=10_9_9_2_2

 

Kind regards,

Håkon

[pd@learner]

Hi,

Thanks for the quick reply

This can be a board-to-board variation as well as the accuracy of the PPK v1:

=> But I have used the same setup for the measurement.  

=> I don't understand why sleep current is different in both cases.

=> If you zoom in on the sleep current waveform of the new version you have seen some small spikes in the waveform. That spikes are not present on the old version waveform. I think this may be a reason for the large sleep current in the new version Am I right?

=> Does the New nrfConnect Version only work with PPK2? Because  I am using PPK (Power Profiler Kit PCA63511). I have tested many custom boards on both versions. Results are the same as the above waveforms.

[Håkon Alseth]

pd@learner said:

=> If you zoom in on the sleep current waveform of the new version you have seen some small spikes in the waveform. That spikes are not present on the old version waveform. I think this may be a reason for the large sleep current in the new version Am I right?

You have shared two sets of waveforms, which are similar in form, with small variation in sleep and avg. current consumption.

You're seeing only ~1 uA difference, which is within the variation that is expected to see when using the PPK itself.

 

pd@learner said:

=> Does the New nrfConnect Version only work with PPK2? Because  I am using PPK (Power Profiler Kit PCA63511). I have tested many custom boards on both versions. Results are the same as the above waveforms.

works with both.

 

Kind regards,

Håkon