nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Sigurd Hellesvik — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 08:30:18 GMT

Please create a new ticket for this issue, to keep DevZone tidy.

Thanks,
Sigurd Hellesvik

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Dominik Eugster — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 07:28:20 GMT

I implemented the driver and now I try to communicate over the SPI with the nRF21540.

First, I try to read the Partnumber. When I set the power doen off, the SPI signals are ok, but of course I have no feedback from the MISO.

Signals ok:

As soon as I set PowerDown = ON = nRF21540 enabled, the second SPI MOSI pulse is there, but really low (nRF21540 pulls down the level!)

What is the reason of this and how this can be solved?

Reagrds

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Dominik Eugster — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 10:16:22 GMT

thank you, I will implement and try it

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Sigurd Hellesvik — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 10:04:53 GMT

Oh, and also, have a look at PA/LNA module documentation, in case you have not seen it yet.

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Sigurd Hellesvik — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 10:01:24 GMT

The Errata you mention is for Revision 1.
Try to ask DigiKey if they know which revision of the 21540 you receive.

If they are the revision 1, I can not help you with that. Either contact the Nordics sales manager in your region or Digikey about it in that case.

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Dominik Eugster — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 08:39:53 GMT

Ok,. thanks for information, I will try to implement it. to control the nRF21540 I will implement the SPI instructions manually. Is there a reference for all commands/registers which I can use over the SPI?

I am checking the Chip ordering codes (I bought 2500 Chips from Digikey in January) and hope that they are not affected with the Errata problems. In case they are, what can I do? Send them to Nordic?

Regards, Dominik

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Sigurd Hellesvik — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 08:10:08 GMT

It seems like we do not have any specific example for using the nRF21540 with the nRF5 SDK for Mesh.

However, using the PA/LNA interface you linked should work, the nRF21540 is a Front-end module with RF PA and LN after all.
If you use this along with the nRF21540 Product Specification, my guess is that it will work.

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Dominik Eugster — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 14:49:30 GMT

Yes, I am working with the nRF5_SDK and the softdevice, I edit the post in the same minute after posting the first time, sorry

I think I have to use this interface? Mesh PA/LNA interface

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Sigurd Hellesvik — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 14:31:26 GMT

[quote user="Dominik Eugster"]I'm working with the nRF5 SDK[/quote]

Hold on

This one said "nRF Connect SDK" a bit ago. Did you change it?

All the information I told you since that message has been relevant for the nRF Connect SDK, and will not work for the nRF5 SDK.
See the nRF Connect SDK and nRF5 SDK statement for the difference between the SDKs.

Please check carefully which SDK you are using, and inform me of the version so I can assist you best with your issue.
I am done with my workday now, so I will continue helping on this case tomorrow.

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Dominik Eugster — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 14:04:20 GMT

Sorry to bother you again, but this is exactly what I am looking for:

[quote userid="106736" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/84988/nrf21540-implementation-on-a-nrf52840-without-os/354376#354376"]Therefore, if someone wanted to add nRF21540 functionality to their project, it should be as simple as building for a different board.[/quote]

But to be honest I don't know how to use the Kconfig. I will fread the docus maybe I missed some basic informations

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Sigurd Hellesvik — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 13:58:38 GMT

Normally for working with the nRF21540 in the nRF Connect SDK, Kconfig handles most of the includes, libraries and drivers.
Therefore, if someone wanted to add nRF21540 functionality to their project, it should be as simple as building for a different board.
I would recommend them to have make a custom board using inspiration from the nrf21540dk_nrf52840 to include the nRF21540 into their BLE application, in addition to the documentation I have already provided to you.

While this likely is not the same as your workflow, it might be able to help you some.

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Dominik Eugster — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 13:35:31 GMT

[quote userid="106736" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/84988/nrf21540-implementation-on-a-nrf52840-without-os/354363#354363"]And I guess the Working with RF front-end modules will be useful.[/quote]

yes, this is usefull, I think I will start with this.
I added the files manually to my propject and will call the functions according to the docu. There are a lot of options and functions which are not needed and this is the reason why I asked for an example which is for adding the nRF21540 to an existing BLE project. The reason is that all is working, but the range of the BLE signal is too low. I added the nRF21540 and have to add the software layer to control the nRF21540, this is what I have to do.

Here the files I added to my project

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Sigurd Hellesvik — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 13:25:04 GMT

Aha. When you said you did not want to use Zephyr OS, I though that meant you did not use the nRF Connect SDK either.
Either way, that is not what you ask.

Many of our BLE samples in the nRF Connect SDK have Front End Module support, such as the Bluetooth: Peripheral UART.
And I guess the Working with RF front-end modules will be useful.

Is this what you were looking for?

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Dominik Eugster — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 13:16:20 GMT

I'm working with the nRF5 SDK

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Sigurd Hellesvik — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 13:09:15 GMT

Most other people working with our microcontrollers use either the nRF5 SDK or the nRF Connect SDK.
To avoid misunderstandings, can you answer the following question?

Which of the three alternatives listed under don you use for software developement:

1. The nRF Connect SDK

2. The nRF5 SDK

3. Neither of the above

If you answer question 3, please also answer the following question:

Are you able to you link me to the BLE Mesh implementation you are using for your project?

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Dominik Eugster — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 13:02:33 GMT

I mean I need to call mpsl_fem_nrf21540_gpio_interface_config_set to config the driver. To use this command, I need to know when I have to call it and which files I have to add to my project (c. h. and maybe *.a files). Do I have to add the files manually into my project and read the complete docu to know when I have to call this? Or is there any example which is working similar? I can't believe that I am the first person which is working with a nRF21540 on a nRF52840 and likes to use this hardware driver or maybe I can't find the relevant docu.

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Sigurd Hellesvik — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 12:49:43 GMT

[quote user="Dominik Eugster"]I have a running c-code with BLE Mesh functions.[/quote]

I think this means that you do use neither the nRF5 SDK nor the nRF Connect SDK.

[quote user="Dominik Eugster"]refer to a example project.[/quote]

No, we do not have any examples for using the nRF21540 outside the nRF Connect SDK as far as I know.

However, I think our Front-end module feature nrfx driver should be usable outside the OS as well. You could also try to search our git for 21540 and Front End Module(FEM): https://github.com/nrfconnect/sdk-nrfxlib.

To have a look into how it works , you could for example have a look at our Bluetooth: Peripheral UART sample in the nRF Connect SDK, as it supports use with the nRF21540.

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Dominik Eugster — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 12:22:03 GMT

Hi Sigurd

I have a running c-code with BLE Mesh functions. Now I added the nRF21540 and like to implement the driver, but can't find the instructions how to do this. I think there are some files and functions to add to the project and like to refer to a example project.

Regards

RE: nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

Sigurd Hellesvik — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 11:54:40 GMT

When you say "without an operating system", what do you mean?

If you wonder which SDK to use between the nRF Connect SDK and the nRF5 SDK, see our nRF Connect SDK and nRF5 SDK statement.
For new designs, the nRF Connect SDK is recommended for new designs.

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik