Problem nrf_esb with repeaters

[Joel V]

Hi,

I have opened a ticket with Kenneth and verified it by mistake. It is now locked. I have done the changes Kenneth asked me but it didn't resolve my problem.

thanks,

Joel

[Kenneth]

I assume this is a continuation from:
https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/86737/nrf52833-and-nrf52840-problem-with-nrf_esb-repeater

Are you able measure the current consumption when the repeater enter this state (e.g. using Nordic PPK2)? Just to get an indication whether they are in constant receive mode and/or continously switching between receive/transmit? Does the problem also occur with only one repeater?

Kenneth

[Joel V]

I don't have the Nordic PPK2, what should be the current consumption in either of the 2 states ?

The problem also occur with only one repeater although it is less likely.

Thanks

Joel

[Kenneth]

The power consumption will depend on output power, ldo vs. dcdc mode, supply voltage etc. But if you for instance using the online power profiler for BLE you can put in your chip settings (if you are you using the nRF52833 then you can choose the closest which is the nRF52840). From the graph you can find peak current consumption in both tx, rx, and cpu (post-processing):
https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/power/w/opp/2/online-power-profiler-for-bluetooth-le 

[Joel V]

Kenneth said:

Are you able measure the current consumption when the repeater enter this state

I checked with a multimeter and I am doing 14.3 mA on a regular state, I will wait that my problem state appears and check the current again later,

Kenneth said:

But if you for instance using the online power profiler for BLE you can put in your chip settings

I checked on the profiler and it should be 15.1 mA peaks with radio TX with TX power of 8 dBm

[Kenneth]

If you have the possibility I recommend order yourself an PPK2:
https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/ug_ppk2/UG/ppk/PPK_user_guide_Intro.html

Then you can measure the current consumption in great details and see how it is transitioning between modes:
https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/ug_ppk2/UG/ppk/data_logger_view.html 

Kenneth

[Joel V]

Hi Kenneth,

When you said in my last post:

"nrf_esb_config.selective_auto_ack       = true; //allow noack when init.
tx_payload.noack = false; //disable ack when transmitting."

Didn't you mean "tx_payload.noack = true", I thought true meant NO acknowledge and I thought that "nrf_esb_config.selective_auto_ack       = true;" meant allowing aknowledgement in the communication.

I have a question about the modes of nrf_esb, If I am in PRX, it means priority RX? Could it be the problem I am facing (e.g.: nrf busy RX so they never TX) ? Can I do PTX and still RX my message to repeat when necessary ?

Plus, I was wondering if sending the repeater's own packet at the same time of the repeated ones could be a solution to avoid frequent TX/RX switching ? Like I wouldn't stop the tx communication until the 2 packets would be sent and I would get back to RX communication afterward. If I do so, should I put a delay between the 2 packets ? 

Finally, I have another question in another matter. I was wondering if it could be possible to do the programmation of the nrfs wirelessly ? Like with bluetooth or whatever ?

Thanks,

Joël