Measure nrf Current consumption using an Oscilloscope

[carvalhn]

Hi,

I need to measure the current consumption for nrf51DK using an Oscilloscope. I have read the user guide and they have mentioned some connectors for it. Is it possible to just measure the current consumption using an Oscilloscope and if yes, then could you please let me know how to do the same?

Thanks a lot in advance.

[Marius Heil]

Hello,

have you read the nRF51 DK Guide? It is pretty much all explained there.

First Paragraph is about measuring with a multimeter, next paragraph explains measurements with an oscilloscope.

First, cut the Solder bridge, afterwards you need to attach a resistor with 10 ohm for example on the two solder pads right next to the bridge, then you use your oscilloscope, connect both thingys (forgot what their called) to ground and the measuring tips to the two current measurement pins, just as shown in the guide. Now I've used the mathematics operations on my oscilloscope to substract the two signals and then you're ready to go.

[Øyvind Karlsen]

Hi,

1. Yes, if you do not short the solder bridge in some way, either through a resistor or a jumper, the board will not receive power. You can simply cut the solder bridge with a knife.

2. Yes you will have to solder the 10ohm resistor.

Since there are several ways to measure current(ammeter, oscilloscope, etc), that all require different measurement setups the 10ohm resistor was not included to the board.

If you have a USB connection to the board you will see a lot of noise in your measurement, try using either a battery, or preferably a power supply with current draw limit capabilities.