[Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Jeffery — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 09:04:10 GMT

Thanks for you reply.

If I got new 21540 DK, I will try it and let you know.

Jeffery

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

PaKa — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 09:02:39 GMT

The nRF21540 will not be supported in the nRF5 SDKs except for some samples in the nRF5 SDK for Thread and Zigbee. There will be no support for Bluetooth with the nRF21540 in the nRF5 SDK, this will only be supported in the nRF Connect SDK.

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

PaKa — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 09:00:13 GMT

Yes, that is the silicon version which is impacted by the Errata #4 so can fail when operating. All kits shipped from our side (and from distributors) have the updated build code Gxx where this issue is removed. These will work according to spec so support Bluetooth as well as Thread/Zigbee

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Jeffery — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 08:59:46 GMT

Hi Paka

By the way, .

How about SDK17.1.0 bluetooth examples?

How about SDK Mesh 5.0.0 examples?

Can latest NRF21540 DK (version 2) support them?

Thanks.

Jeffery

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Jeffery — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 08:55:14 GMT

Hi Paka

The 21540 IC is version 1 (QDAA-F00) at DK v0.9.1.

So, at version 2 (QDAA-G00), as you mentioned, the error was fixed.

It means bluetooth samples can run well for tx/rx directions both, right?

Unfortunately, there was no DK v1.0.0 and above backlog in my company.

I will ask our purchase department to order it.

Jeffery

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

PaKa — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 08:21:35 GMT

You should always get the documentation for the devices from the Infocenter. https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/errata_nRF21540_Rev1/ERR/nRF21540/Rev1/latest/anomaly_540_4.html This is the errata for the TX gain issue on the earlier silicon versions. This is not part of the revision 2 errata as the issue was fixed for this silicon revision (key reason to update the silicon).

Did you verify the silicon version on the DK 0.9.1 you have? The DKs shipping now should be either 1.1 or 1.2, both are using the latest nRF21540 build code (the one covered by the errata you attached).

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Jeffery — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 03:19:50 GMT

Hi PaKa

I tried the hex file that Mttrinh verified OK at previous message.

At DK v0.9.1, the RSSI was same as what I tested. Very weak.

So, I will find DK v1.0.0 to test again. Then, tell you the result.

What was erreta4? Which document ? The attachment was 21540 latest erreta. I only found two erreta.

devzone.nordicsemi.com/.../nRF21540_5F00_Revision_5F00_2_5F00_Errata_5F00_v1.0.pdf

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

PaKa — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 13:42:28 GMT

Check the build code on the nRF21540 on the DK. The nRF21540 kits with version number below 1.0 will usually have build code Fxx devices that are affected by errata 4 which means output power may be low. Note the MAY so it may work sometimes or it may fail, not given what will happen.

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Mttrinh — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 13:10:22 GMT

Hi,

One of my colleague tested with a nRF21540-DK v0.9.0 and it worked fine so don't think the version is the problem here.

Here is the hex that was used to test on our side:

devzone.nordicsemi.com/.../peripheral_5F00_UART_5F00_nrf21540DK.hex

[quote user="Jeffery"]

Then, at documentation page for bluetooth sample, There was a topic "FEM Support". It seems developer shall

set up the project to work 21540. Was it? I didn't do it since I have no idea how to follow the steps. Didn't you

said 21540 DK board can work fine only if we chose nrf21540_nrf52840 as board?

[/quote]

Yes, if you build the project for nrf21540_nrf52840 then FEM support should be enable by default. Not sure why you are getting weaker signal on the nRF21540DK.

An addidtional note, do you have access to a nRF21540EK that you can test on?

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Jeffery — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 03:19:26 GMT

1. Tried latest ncs \nrf\samples\bluetooth\peripheral_uart sample at 21540 DK. The result was unexpected.

During advertising, I used nrf connect for mobile app at my phone to scan DK. The distance between phone

and DK was 1 meter. If 52840DK, RSSI was -65 dBm. If 21540DK, RSSI was -86 dBm.

2. 21540 DK version is 0.9.1.Would it be a problem?

3. Would you mind giving me your workable hex file of 21540 DK? Let me flash it at my DK.

4. Then, at documentation page for bluetooth sample, There was a topic "FEM Support". It seems developer shall

set up the project to work 21540. Was it? I didn't do it since I have no idea how to follow the steps. Didn't you

said 21540 DK board can work fine only if we chose nrf21540_nrf52840 as board?

Thanks

Jeffery

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Mttrinh — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 09:37:52 GMT

Hi,

We have been testing on both v1.8.0 and v1.9.1 of nRF Connect SDK, unfortunately we are not able to reproduce your issue. Everything is working as expected. We tested with the UART peripheral example.

Have you made any modifications to the example before building it?

Can you also test with the latest version of nRF Connect SDK? Do you see any difference?

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Jeffery — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 01:19:26 GMT

Did you reproduce this issue at your side/

Thanks.

If this issue was also found at your side, could you schedule to fix it at the coming ncs version?

Thanks.

Jeffery

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Mttrinh — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 07:47:17 GMT

Hi,

[quote user="Jeffery"]

As we thought and expected, if selected board "nrf21540_nrf52840" to build bluetooth example, after flash, it

shall work 21540 to strengthen RSSI, doesn't it?

[/quote]

Yes, it should work if you build it for the nrf21540_nrf52840. Haven't had the chance to reproduce it yet, will let you know if we are able to reproduce it or not.

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Jeffery — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 01:09:37 GMT

Anything to update?

If nrf21540dk is not yet to work at sdk connect, do you have schedule to make it?

It affects we to promote 21540. Thanks.

Jeffery

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Jeffery — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 07:48:35 GMT

Hi Mttrinh

Take care. So, would you reproduce this issue? Thanks.

As we thought and expected, if selected board "nrf21540_nrf52840" to build bluetooth example, after flash, it

shall work 21540 to strengthen RSSI, doesn't it?

Jeffery

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Mttrinh — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 12:54:39 GMT

Hi,

Sorry for the late reply. Have been sick and out of office the past days.

I will see if we can reproduce this issue on our side and come back to you.

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Jeffery — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 05:51:39 GMT

Hi Mttrinh

I tested 21540 DK at shielding room. Used same phone to scan DK.

PCA10056 peripheral > PCA10095 peripheral.

Could you mind verifying this issue for me? The SDK sample got testing

was \TOOLCHAIN\v1.8.0\nrf\samples\bluetooth\peripheral_uart

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Mttrinh — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 13:12:57 GMT

Hi,

How are you testing this and what is your testing environment? Are you testing in a "noisy" environment with lots of wireless devices around?

Just note that there will always be many variables affecting the measured RSSI, like radio interference or signal/multi-path reflections for example.

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Jeffery — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 01:28:16 GMT

Hi Mttrinh

Yes. This is also my question. Board was selected "nrf21540_nrf52840". But, the advertising RSSI was very weak as scanning on the phone. It was even weaker than NRF52840 DK.

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Mttrinh — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 13:48:13 GMT

Hi,

According to the the attached document you only need use one of the options mentioned depending on your hardware. Since you are using a nRF21540 DK, you should only need to build the sample for nrf21540_nrf52840 board. Is this what you have done?

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Jeffery — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 03:06:28 GMT

Hi Mttrinh

1. I had tried light switch example at 21540 DK. The result was same. RSSI was very weak. It seems FEM

didn't work. Shall I manually add FEM setting as below? Actually, I did read this at documentation.

However, I cannot understand it. Could you explain it more clearly? Like, step by step.

2. Would you mind adding these setting in light switch example and share the project folder to me? I used

Segger Embedded Studio compiler..

Thanks.

Jeffery

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Mttrinh — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 13:26:22 GMT

Hi,

What mesh sample did you try? I would recommmend you try one of the Bluetooth Mesh: Light switch examples found here.

If you only want a bluetooth example to test the performance, I suggest you try out the UART example.

How to setup and test the examples can be found it the example documentation.

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Jeffery — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 09:40:40 GMT

Hi Mttrinh

At the link, it said mesh sample already supported 21540 DK.

But, after I tried, the RSSI was even weaker than 52840 DK (w/o PA/LNA).

I have no idea how to let 21540 work for bluetooth samples.

Would you mind provide me a workable bluetooth sample to 21540 DK for verifying the performance?

Please don't give me DTM or radio test samples. Thank for your favor.

Jeffery

RE: [Please] RSSI of PCA10112 was weaker than RSSI of PC10056

Mttrinh — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 15:38:29 GMT

Hi,

Not so sure why the RSSI is weaker on the PCA10112.

[quote user=""]At your SDK connect samples. no bluetooth sample was about nrf21540_nrf52840.[/quote]

What version of the SDK are you using? Support for nRF21540 was added to our mesh samples in our latest version v1.8.0, see here.