RE: PCB Hardware Review - nRF52832 pre-certified module (FSC-BT630)

Bendik Heiskel — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 08:28:33 GMT

Yes, this is exactly what I meant.

RE: PCB Hardware Review - nRF52832 pre-certified module (FSC-BT630)

builder01 — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 21:09:04 GMT

Hi Bendik,

Many thanks for your reply.

By "extend the area round the antenna upwards" do you mean the following:

Extend the keepout area up north of the PCB and shift the current bordering vias to surround the extended keepout area?

RE: PCB Hardware Review - nRF52832 pre-certified module (FSC-BT630)

Bendik Heiskel — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 14:56:32 GMT

Hi,

The PCB looks mostly OK, the only changes I recommend is to add a ground fill to the top layer, and extend the keepout area around the antenna upwards since there is room on the PCB.

[quote user=""]For via shielding around antenna, I assumed 5GHz as the highest frequency (2x2.55GHz). Using the lambda/20 rule-of-thumb, it came out to be 1.4mm. Is this overkill (i.e. should've just used 2.5GHz or is it a safe assumption?[/quote]

Are you referring to the spacing between the vias?

This spacing is not critical, as long as there are vias connecting the edges of the ground planes together. For reference the spacing between the vias on the DK is 5mm.

[quote user=""]Is it possible to program this board from a nRF52832 or nRF52840 DK board?[/quote]

Yes, but there may be some problems if the board is powered by 2.7V during the programing. The debugger on the DKs does only support 3V VDD. As a workaround during programming the batteries can be removed and the board powered by the 3V VDD from the DK.

[quote user=""]Should I add more via stitching around the board?[/quote]

The vias around the edges of the board is plenty, no need to add any more here. If you add a ground fill to the top layer, adding addition vias tying the ground fills together is recommended. Having vias every 5-10mm should enough.

Best regards,

Bendik