PCB design with nRF5340

[Sreejith Sundh]

I would like to make my own project of an analog sensor with BLE feature. Is it a good idea to go with third party module (because of the easy availability of Antenna)? can someone help me with the pcb design with nRF5340 SoC? I am using EAGLE as the design software!

Thanks and Regards,

Sreejith

[Bendik Heiskel]

Hi Sreejith,

Using a third party module would be the easiest as the antenna and the radio are already tuned. If you do not use a module you can use the hardware files for the nRF5340DK as a reference, in conjunction with the reference schematics available in the product specification.But keep in mind that the radio matching network and the antenna will require tuning to get the optimum BLE range.

When you have a design ready you can get a hardware review by creating a private case and uploading the schematic and PCB layout. We do not use Eagle, so the preferred file format is the schematic as a PDF and the PCB layout as Gerber files.

 

Best regards,

Bendik

[Sreejith Sundh]

Hi Bendik,

It is very informative and helpful. As a beginner, is there any git repo or any hardware development project which I can refer. I would like to use only the analog read feature. 

Of cource I can understand it is better to go with the tuned antenna such as third party module. 

Thank you for your time and support.

Thanks and Regards,

Sreejith

[Bendik Heiskel]

There is a sample in Zephyr for using the ADC to measure the battery voltage. You could use this as a starting point, and modify it for your needs,
https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/zephyr/samples/boards/nrf/battery/README.html

We do also have a SAADC driver:

https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrfx/drivers/saadc/driver.html

 

Best regards,
Bendik

[Sreejith Sundh]

Hi Bendik,

I tried the battery example, but it shows build error, any idea how to solve it?

Thanks and Regards,

Sreejith

[Bendik Heiskel]

Hi Sreejith,

The battery example is intended to be used with the thingy52, so to be able to use it with another device a  DeviceTree overlay file must be added with the missing configurations.  By copying the missing parts from the thingy52 devicetree into the overlay file you should be able to build it, but there may be other problems:

/{
	vbatt {
		compatible = "voltage-divider";
		io-channels = <&adc 4>;
		output-ohms = <180000>;
		full-ohms = <(1500000 + 180000)>;
	};
};
&adc {
	status = "okay";
};

I have since my previous comment discovered that our getting started guide with nRF Connect SDK tutorial have a section for setting up and using the ADC. Section 3.5 in part 2 of the tutorial is dedicated to using the ADC, I would recommend that you use this as a starting point instead of the battery example from Zephyr, since it is intended for the nRF5340.

https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/guides/nrf-connect-sdk-guides/b/getting-started/posts/nrf-connect-sdk-tutorial---part-2-ncs-v1-4-0#h166sjwm56wzcmgvd418wzzus1esk5n3

Keep in mind that this tutorial have not been updated since version 1.5.0, so there may be some changes needed for it to work with the current version of the nRF Connect SDK.

 

Best regards,

Bendik