Enabling nRF5 DCDC using BLE example

RE: Enabling nRF5 DCDC using BLE example

Nick_RA — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 17:13:49 GMT

OK that seems to be tha answer, thanks. Actually because of some vagarity with my sdk_config it wouldn't compile in, but I don't want to delve down that rabbit hole just at this moment. I looked at the source and from that just enabled the register for now & it works fine.

NRF_POWER->DCDCEN = true;

RE: Enabling nRF5 DCDC using BLE example

mrono — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 07:37:13 GMT

[quote userid="78418" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/94268/enabling-nrf5-dcdc-using-ble-example/398407"]So I need at add the nrfx power driver and use that to enable the DCDC?[/quote]

Yes, if you add nrfx_power to your project and call nrfx_power_init() then DCDC will be set according to those defines set in sdk_config.

If you open nrfx_power.c and check how those defines are actually used, you'll see that the only thing needed to enable DCDC is to call: void nrf_power_dcdcen_set(bool enable).

So it is up to you to decide if you want to add nrfx_power or just call that one function without the full driver. Nrfx_power does have other power related features such as the power fail comparator, so check if those are useful to your project as well.

RE: Enabling nRF5 DCDC using BLE example

Nick_RA — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 20:00:34 GMT

(This may be a duplicate as my internet died just as I posted)

As my OP I'm using PPK2 as a source: SB9 cut SB12 bridged and supply to nRF VDD.

So I need at add the nrfx power driver and use that to enable the DCDC?

RE: Enabling nRF5 DCDC using BLE example

mrono — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 10:41:21 GMT

[quote userid="75734" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/94268/enabling-nrf5-dcdc-using-ble-example/398287"]Enabling NRFX_POWER_CONFIG_DEFAULT_DCDCEN should indeed be sufficient.[/quote]

But that config option is specifically for the nrfx_power -driver. I don't think the ble_app_uart example uses nrfx_power.

RE: Enabling nRF5 DCDC using BLE example

Simonr — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 10:25:23 GMT

Are you using the Power Profiler Kit (PPK or PPK2) to do current measurement or some other measurement tool? If using the PPK2, can you share some details on how you've set up the measurement, as the current should indeed decrease if you use the DCDC converter. Enabling NRFX_POWER_CONFIG_DEFAULT_DCDCEN should indeed be sufficient. the DCDCENHV is specific to the nRF52840 and nRF52833 that also have a High Voltage mode where they can be powered with up to 5.5V from I.E. the USB peripheral. There are two regulators on these chips and thus two DCDC regulator circuits.

Best regards,

Simon

RE: Enabling nRF5 DCDC using BLE example

Nick_RA — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 18:25:05 GMT

OK yes I was debugging, and the current was ~3.5mA which wasn't changing as I changed the supply from 1.7 to 3V (I would expect the current to go down as the voltage increases if powering via a DC/DC converter)

I enabled NRFX_POWER_CONFIG_DEFAULT_DCDCEN & NRFX_POWER_CONFIG_DEFAULT_DCDCENHV in sdkconfig.h. Is that enough to enable the DC/DC, or must it be set in code too?

Also, what's the difference between the two (what is the HV?)

RE: Enabling nRF5 DCDC using BLE example

Simonr — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 11:58:55 GMT

What configs exactly did you change to enable the DCDC? My guess is that the DCDC was enabled initially or that you have debugging/logging enabled, in which case the current consumption will be high and not very different no matter what converter you're using. Can you share some details on what the measured current consumption is in your case?

Best regards,

Simon