Thingy:91 - Power Consumption in "system OFF mode"

[Achim Kraus]

Following Getting started with current measurements on the nRF9160 I applied the

#include <modem/lte_lc.h>
void main(void)
{
 lte_lc_power_off();
 k_sleep(K_MSEC(1000));
 NRF_REGULATORS->SYSTEMOFF = 1;
}

to a Thingy:91 (disabled SERIAL, NCS-2.0.0). 

With that I get about 0,190 mA. That value is also very close to the value I get with the UDP sample (0,200mA).

So, is that the right one?

(The values for the nRF9160-DK are much lower, therefore I'm interested in the expected value.)  

[Achim Kraus]

I've implemented to disable the 3.3 V (I decided to couple that to PSM, so the LEDs are available to indicate operations, when the modem is active).

My results (Thingy HW 1.0.0) are:

- 0.03 mA as ground for the quiescent current

- some peaks so that average quiescent current is about 0.08 mA

I would appreciate, if there are also some "official values" to compare to.

[Kenneth]

You can use the online power profiler for LTE to get some numbers:
Online Power Profiler for LTE 

You can also find a lot of numbers in the datasheet for various modes and operation:
https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/ps_nrf9160/_tmp/alta.nRF9160/autodita/CURRENT/parameters.frontpage.html 

Kenneth

[Achim Kraus]

It's not that I just miss some numbers, I miss the procedure for the nRF9160-DK described in getting-started-with-current-measurements-on-the-nrf9160 for a Thingy:91.

The point is, that the getting started describes how to do it and what should be the result.

I applied a similar approach to the Thingy:91 and so would appreciate, if nordic has also the numbers for the Thingy:91 documented.

[Kenneth]

I can't find that there are any offical numbers no, I assume once you add an application that can handle multiple sensors you can get about whatever you want depending on how frequently you sample the sensor etc. So the pure nRF9160 power consumption kind of show the base current before you add external sensors etc. A tip in general can be to get an power profiler kit if you haven't already, since this will make it easier to observe the duration of the various current consumption spikes etc, this will make it easier to observe for instance when measuring a sensor etc.

https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-hardware/Power-Profiler-Kit-2

Kenneth

[Achim Kraus]

Thanks for the answer.

I have that PPK2, it's really useful.

Yes, such values will then be in vain, if the usage of the sensors is too different.

As it would be also for the nRf9160-DK in vain, if the usage is too different.

The point is, that you could just define the "operation mode for the sensors", provide an example (maybe just a small update for the UDP sample) and then publish that numbers. That's more the idea to have a "calibrated starting point", similar as that mentioned in the link. With that it will be easier to explore, what could be achieved for a specific application.

But, if there are no numbers, there are no number.

I would appreciate, if such number will be added in the future.