nRF51822: Current draw when scanning for devices

[John Munroe]

Hi all,

Does anyone know how much current is meant to be drawn to discover nearby devices? I guess, in other words, how much current is drawn to put the nRF51822 in discovery mode?

Thanks

[FormerMember]

This chapter in the S130 softdevice specification helps you to calculate the current consumption when scanning.

[John Munroe]

Thanks. Is 30uA per scanning event a value in the right ballpark? That would be similar to the advertising event.

[FormerMember]

When the chip is scanning, the main "current consumption component" is when the radio is in RX mode, and is scanning. When in RX mode, the nRF51 uses 13 mA. Depending on the duty cycle (scan window), the average current consumption will adjust accordingly. It can be useful to have a look at the following threads: 1 and 2.