NRF24L01 + PA + LNA issue
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Hi,
I'm trying to replace a NRF24L01+ radio with a NRF24L01 + PA + LNA radio (with the antenna) to achieve a better range.
The node is working with the NRF24L01+ without any problem.I now have tried 3 different NRF24L01+ PA +LNA and still end up with the same issue:
0 MCO:BGN:INIT NODE,CP=RNNNA--,VER=2.1.1 3 TSM:INIT 4 TSF:WUR:MS=0 11 TSM:INIT:TSP OK 13 TSF:SID:OK,ID=10 14 TSM:FPAR 51 TSF:MSG:SEND,10-10-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 2058 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 2060 TSM:FPAR 2096 TSF:MSG:SEND,10-10-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 4104 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 4106 TSM:FPAR 4142 TSF:MSG:SEND,10-10-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 6150 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 6152 TSM:FPAR 6188 TSF:MSG:SEND,10-10-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 8196 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL 8197 TSM:FAIL:CNT=1 8199 TSM:FAIL:PDT 18202 TSM:FAIL:RE-INIT 18204 TSM:INIT 18211 TSM:INIT:TSP OK 18213 TSF:SID:OK,ID=10 18215 TSM:FPAR 18252 TSF:MSG:SEND,10-10-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 20259 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 20261 TSM:FPAR 20298 TSF:MSG:SEND,10-10-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 22305 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 22307 TSM:FPAR 22344 TSF:MSG:SEND,10-10-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 24351 !TSM:FPAR:NO REPLY 24353 TSM:FPAR 24390 TSF:MSG:SEND,10-10-255-255,s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,ft=0,st=OK: 26397 !TSM:FPAR:FAIL 26398 TSM:FAIL:CNT=2 26400 TSM:FAIL:PDTIt doesn't want to connect.
I also tried to use the radio power module but with no luck.My serial gateway is also using the same NRF24L01+ PA +LNA and works for over a year ok.
What can I do to get it working?
@Petjepet power and how you define the radio is the most important part here.
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@sundberg84 I powered it directly from the Arduino Nano, also tried with separate power supply. No change, same results.
My gateway works fine with the same type of radio directly from the Nano.What else to consider.
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You need an external voltage regulator from 5v to 3.3v for the radio, it is stated in the instructions
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I had a (seemingly) similar issue with my NRF24+LNA+PA board. The solution was stupid simple - just get the node further away from the GW. Or remove antenna if you have one. We usually develop the node connected to the same PC, both GW and the node. It is simply too strong a signal.
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@etxmsol I think you might be right about to strong signal.
I just tried changing the MY_RF24_PA_LEVEL from RF24_PA_MAX down to RF24_PA_LOW and RF24_PA_MIN. With RF24_PA_MIN it worked. :)
I will try again with increasing distance and increasing the level when needed for my purpose. -
Also a capacitor is strongly advised and if the radio module is not shielded, you need to do some shielding when using higher power levels.
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I had same issues and I didn't take separate regulator too seriously, which was mistake.
So I made it work using
a. separate voltage regulator
b. capacitor cca 2uF between + and - pins on NRF24
c. using RF24_PA_MAX
d. another device was about 2 meters awayBefore that I had only capacitor, and when I put voltage regulator it worked for me.
I took power from arduino nano (+5V pin). No need for separate power. Powering Arduino Nano over USB is fine.
