💬 Aeos : a NRF52 versatile, up to 9in1, device

[Koresh]

Congratulations. Very nice concept. But I understand nothing about the range. Is it comparable with nrf24 or is it by a decade more? :)

[scalz]

@Koresh
thx. I'm not sure about what you don't understand :)
If you're wondering about nrf24 vs nrf52 range, i've not tested this, i'll do that as soon as i get my custom antenna version of the board.
Because comparing a nrf24 module with pcb antenna Vs nrf52 with a chip antenna or an untuned wire antenna isn't a valid test, I think.

[Koresh]

@scalz OK, waiting your results. For now I've just found some information about tx power:
nrf24: nominal - 0dbm, max - +4dbm
nrf51: nominal - 4dbm, max - +6dbm
Not very high power :(

[Nca78]

@scalz have you seen this module ?
PCB antenna + IPEX, and with 52832 we're sure it's not a clone...
At this price I can directly dump my atsamds and nrf modules :o
http://www.ebay.com/itm/nRF52832-E73-2G4M04S-Low-Power-2-4GHz-SMD-Wireless-Module-with-PCB-IPX-Antenna-/192237288810

[NeverDie]

@Nca78
It's very nice that they offer up the info needed to create the land pattern. That info seems absent from quite a number of the aliexpress modules.

[scalz]

@Koresh
Yes, still an interesting improvement :) And i have powerful multirf boards too so..
Well i think you know it, but range is not so easy to compare, that depends on a lot of factors like datarate, ant, enclosure etc..

@Nca78
yep, saw it too. I don't think they're selling clones, they looks nice ;)
Module is too big regarding my board and all what's embedded. I also wanted a stronger antenna.
This kind of meandered antenna, often the same for wire antenna though, may be prone to some detuning (regarding enclosure, environment etc.) and loosing some efficiency etc. So maybe not the full range, can be a lot less, depends (100m for this module in datasheet).

But yes i agree with you :) 328p too limited, obsolete imho, "end" of nrf24 lol, and atsam is nice depending on the usecase. Personal view of course!

[Nca78]

@scalz said in 💬 Aeos : a NRF52 versatile, up to 9in1, device:

But yes i agree with you :) 328p too limited, obsolete imho, "end" of nrf24 lol, and atsam is nice depending on the usecase. Personal view of course!
But I think I'm still about to make one last 328 board to make a really small and low power sensor.

Would you share eagle and schematic files for your prototype with the module ? I have ordered modules from EByte and I'd like some inspiration to prepare a first test board :D

[NeverDie]

@Nca78
Thanks for posting that. I just now ordered some. However, they may not arrive until September! Yowza. That means their shipping container is practically a time capsule.

[Nca78]

@NeverDie great ! Don't thank me I'm pretty sure I'll benefit a lot from your testing on that module :)

[NeverDie]

@Nca78

One quick thing: I've started a PCB layout for this module. From the looks of the pictures on the e-bay listing, I'm assuming pins 0, 1, 2, 42, and 43 are all Ground.

Is that your interpretation also?

[Nca78]

@NeverDie said in 💬 Aeos : a NRF52 versatile, up to 9in1, device:

@Nca78

One quick thing: I've started a PCB layout for this module. From the looks of the pictures on the e-bay listing, I'm assuming pins 0, 1, 2, 42, and 43 are all Ground.
Is that your interpretation also?

It's what's written in the datasheet ;)
0_1499826898882_E73-2G4M04S_Datasheet_EN_v1.1.pdf

[mfalkvidd]

@Nca78 now you're cheating ;-)

[scalz]

@NeverDie hmm.. guys could you open a new topic regarding your nrf52 module please?
(as i'm not planning to use it for Aeos, cost almost the same for me to use the IC, and i can do more compact stuff)
Else that will be a mess here ;) Thx!

@Nca78 will upload some sch, was busy..

Here a very simple rfm69 extension for Aeos, when i need more range:

And a simple pcb for quick reprogramming the first time (as the next times it will be through OTA).

[Nca78]

@scalz said in 💬 Aeos : a NRF52 versatile, up to 9in1, device:

And a simple pcb for quick reprogramming the first time (as the next times it's through OTA).

OTA ? Is a bootloader already made ? :o

[scalz]

@Nca78
There are some stuff already existing though.
You can take a look at Adafruit nrf52 board, they have a bootloader for BLE, and their sch can also help you to understand how the above module is working in case.
Regarding Mysensors OTA etc, stay tuned..

[d00616]

@scalz said in 💬 Aeos : a NRF52 versatile, up to 9in1, device:

You can take a look at Adafruit nrf52 board, they have a bootloader for BLE, and their sch can also help you to understand how the above module is working in case.
Regarding Mysensors OTA etc, stay tuned..

It would be nice if you can enable OTA. The DFU bootloader is placed at the top of Flash. This region conflicts with the NVM driver. You have to move the used Flash region.

The bootloader is documented at http://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/com.nordic.infocenter.sdk5.v13.1.0/lib_bootloader_modules.html

At the moment I have no time to work on an bootloader. If you want to discuss things you can contact me.

[scalz]

Here is a pic of Aeos rev 1.0. (the revision with 4layers and custom antenna for better perf, but not tuned yet).
Working well though :)

With a simple adapter to my segger OB for programming it, or ftdi and some IOs. (actually playing a bit with ble for a change). Need to print a box!

[NeverDie]

I hope we'll see the Aeos soon. It should help stimulate interest in the nRF52832.

[scalz]

@NeverDie
thx for reminding me :) it's still working well.. but been distracted. Sorry for those who are waiting. I needed to have some fun with my HA setup.
i'll do my best to sort all my stuff ;)

[TheGuv]

Would you be able to post the files for this project now?