changes that have been made to the BLE nRF5280 dongle PCB schematic and layout design

RE: changes that have been made to the BLE nRF5280 dongle PCB schematic and layout design

Bendik Heiskel — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 13:02:22 GMT

Hi Ahmed,

There is still no connection between the battery holder and the rest of the VDD_nRF net, it seems like a via is missing here:

Other than this there board should be OK.

Best regards,

Bendik

RE: changes that have been made to the BLE nRF5280 dongle PCB schematic and layout design

Ahmed Salah — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 05:51:00 GMT

Dear Bendik,

Thank you for your prompt response and for pointing out the remaining unneeded traces and the incomplete connection of the VDD_nRF net. I have made the necessary modifications and have attached the updated design files to this reply.

Please feel free to review the files again and make any further modifications and revert or revisions as you deem necessary. I trust your expertise and attention to detail, and I appreciate your efforts in ensuring that the design meets all the necessary standards and specifications.

Thank you again for your help and support.

Best regards, Ahmed

devzone.nordicsemi.com/.../IoT-seal-PCB-_2800_nRF52840_2900_-_2D00_-Hardware-files-_2800_Final-2_2900_.rar

RE: changes that have been made to the BLE nRF5280 dongle PCB schematic and layout design

Bendik Heiskel — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:50:31 GMT

Hi Ahmed,

There are still a bunch of unneeded traces left on the PCB, these should be removed and replaces with a GND fill on both the top and bottom layer. Here are the unneeded traces marked:
The VDD_nRF net is not completely connected, currently the positive from battery connector is not connected to the nRF52840. You should go though the full path from the battery connection to the nRF52840 and make sure there isn't any gaps in the traces.

[quote user="ahmed salah elheneidy"]I also have a question regarding programming the nRF5280 dongle using SWD since the USB is no longer present on the design. I would like to know what components are required to do so, and if I should use an ARM Cortex JTAG SWD 10-pin connector along with J-Link, Do I require a DK or if there is another way to do it.[/quote]

There is a footprint for a 10-pin SWD connector on the bottom layer. This can be used with either a standalone debugger/programmer, like for example a JLink basic, or with the debug out connector on one of our nRF52 series DKs. A DK isn't required, but having a nRF52840 DK will aid in developing.

Best regards,

Bendik

RE: changes that have been made to the BLE nRF5280 dongle PCB schematic and layout design

Ahmed Salah — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 08:11:22 GMT

Dear Bendik,

Thank you so much for your help and guidance throughout the modification process of the nRF5280 dongle PCB schematic and layout design. Your suggestions were very helpful, and I have implemented all the changes you recommended in the latest design files that I have attached to this Ticket

Before sending the files for manufacturing, I would appreciate it if you could kindly review the final design and confirm that everything is in order. I am confident that your expertise and attention to detail will ensure that the design meets all the necessary standards and specifications.

I also have a question regarding programming the nRF5280 dongle using SWD since the USB is no longer present on the design. I would like to know what components are required to do so, and if I should use an ARM Cortex JTAG SWD 10-pin connector along with J-Link, Do I require a DK or if there is another way to do it.

Thank you again for your help and support.

Best regards, Ahmed

devzone.nordicsemi.com/.../IoT-seal-PCB-_2800_nRF52840_2900_-_2D00_-Hardware-files-_2800_Final_2900_.zip

RE: changes that have been made to the BLE nRF5280 dongle PCB schematic and layout design

Bendik Heiskel — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:19:27 GMT

Hi Ahmed,

The changes to the schematic looks good, but I recommend cleaning up the unused traces on the PCB as well.

Best regards,

Bendik

RE: changes that have been made to the BLE nRF5280 dongle PCB schematic and layout design

Ahmed Salah — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 06:42:04 GMT

Hello Bendik,

I appreciate your suggestions for simplifying the schematic. Based on your instructions, I have made the following changes to the schematic:

VDD and VDDH are shorted together since the coin battery only supplies a maximum of 3.3V.
VBUS pin is disconnected from the VDD supply and grounded directly.
C20 has been removed.
The traces from D- and D+ have been removed and the USB data pins left floating.
L4 has been removed.

Here is the updated schematic with the changes applied:

I have made these changes and I would like you to verify the new design. Please let me know if you have any further suggestions or if there are any other changes you would like me to make.

Thank you for your help!

Best regards,

Ahmed

devzone.nordicsemi.com/.../nRF52840-USB-Dongle-_2D00_-Hardware-files-_2800_modified_2900_-_2800_2_2900_.zip

RE: changes that have been made to the BLE nRF5280 dongle PCB schematic and layout design

Bendik Heiskel — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 13:10:34 GMT

Hi Ahmed,

Since you are not using the USB peripheral(USB data lines are not connected to anything) the schematic should be simplified:

Normal voltage mode can be used since the coin battery only supplies a maximum of 3.3V, so VDD and VDDH can be shorted together.
The VBUS pin can be disconnected from the VDD supply, and grounded directly.
C20 can be removed
The traces from D- and D+ can be removed and the USB data pins left floating.
L4 can be removed.

This is how the VDD supply and USB section of the schematic should be with these changes:

The battery will in this configuration be connected to VDD_nRF.

You can upload the updated design after these changes have been applied and I can do a second review.

Best regards,

Bendik