BLE RF test command sequence for nRF52833

[Viccc]

Hi Nordic,

I'm referring to this doc but still not quite clear about how to enable the chip for BLE RF HW validation.

infocenter.nordicsemi.com/index.jsp

1. What would be BLE Tx/Rx test command sequence for RF hardware validation?
2. In order to save test equipment cost, could every nRF52833 sample guarantee Tx/Rx RF performance with below simplified setup (a spectrum analyzer + 2nd reference board) since we may not capture some details such as Tx spectrum mask, frequency error or Rx sensitivity level?
3. Regarding BLE Tx/Rx test command sequence, could you provide the examples for BLE 1M, 2M and long range cases?

Thanks,

Victor

[Elfving]

Hello Victor,

Are you doing a production test or a qualification test? For a production test you could also take a look at this whitepaper.

Regards,

Elfving

[Viccc]

Hello Elfving,

Thanks for sharing the whitepaper for my reference.
We'd like to do a production test to validate BLE Tx/Rx function in the factory.
Regarding DTM, can we say the DUT will operate in a non-signaling mode if my understanding is correct?

Meanwhile, I found this doc for more details about DTM command definition.
https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.nordic.infocenter.sdk5.v15.3.0%2Fgroup__ble__dtm.html

Would you mind sharing the command sequences required for BLE 1M Tx and Rx PER test?

Thanks,
Victor

[Elfving]

Hi Victor,

Viccc said:

Regarding DTM, can we say the DUT will operate in a non-signaling mode if my understanding is correct?

Yes, in that it isn't using the complete Bluetooth stack per se. 

In order to save test equipment cost, could every nRF52833 sample guarantee Tx/Rx RF performance with below simplified setup (a spectrum analyzer + 2nd reference board) since we may not capture some details such as Tx spectrum mask, frequency error or Rx sensitivity level?

Viccc said:

Rx PER test?

If you need to test this, then you would need to use DTM along with a Bluetooth tester (for instance Anritsu). The command sequences required to do so is something that will be handled by the tester. Or you could alternatively check on LE DTM testing in the Bluetooth Core Spec - you'll find everything you need to know there, but it isn't easy to set up, which is why you would need a tester. 

Regards,

Elfving

[Viccc]

Hi Elfving,

We probably will have R&S CMW100 in the factory line for hardware validation.
But the question is how we could execute the proper DTM command sequences for 52833 to capture the Tx/Rx measurement.

For example, I think we may need something like below command sequence to create continuous BLE Tx waveform at RF output port. Would you mind reviewing it and sharing any example for our reference?
1) DIM_Bitrate
2) LE_Test_Setup
3) LE_Phy_1M
4) Set_Tx_Power
... etc

Thanks,
Victor

[Elfving]

Hello Victor,

We do have a DTM sample in NCS, along with some documentation here. Though it is hard to say what commands you would need to use, considering that you are using a R&S CMW100, and that this will be a manual set-up. The DTM example is made for a BLE tester, not for a manual set-up.

I would recommend you to ask R&S about this first.

Regards,

Elfving