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  3. Will a NRF24L01+PA+LNA help with my signal problems

Will a NRF24L01+PA+LNA help with my signal problems

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  • G GreyLinux

    @mfalkvidd
    Thanks for the reply, I've just noticed the fine print ( If you are using the nrf24 PA/LNA version you need to use a 5V->3.3V regulator because the Raspberry Pi 3.3V can't supply enough power.

    Is this what it refers to here?

    out of interest how do I connect this inline from the 5v pin to radio 3.3v pin ? I notice that the link suggests 2 x 10 uF capacitors either side of the regulator . What I'm asking is how best to wire this up with the Raspberry pi pins, the radio , the capacitors and the regulator .

    thanks for you help .

    mfalkviddM Offline
    mfalkviddM Offline
    mfalkvidd
    Mod
    wrote on last edited by
    #4

    @greymarvel yes, the LD1117-3.3 will work fine.
    https://www.mysensors.org/build/connect_radio#connecting-a-voltage-regulator describes how to connect a voltage regulator.
    https://www.mysensors.org/build/connect_radio#connecting-a-decoupling-capacitor describes how to connect a capacitor.

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    • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

      @greymarvel yes, the LD1117-3.3 will work fine.
      https://www.mysensors.org/build/connect_radio#connecting-a-voltage-regulator describes how to connect a voltage regulator.
      https://www.mysensors.org/build/connect_radio#connecting-a-decoupling-capacitor describes how to connect a capacitor.

      G Offline
      G Offline
      GreyLinux
      wrote on last edited by
      #5

      @mfalkvidd thanks for all your help, I really should of read that page a lot more carefully and maybe i wouldnt of missed those two explanations .

      mfalkviddM 1 Reply Last reply
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      • G GreyLinux

        @mfalkvidd thanks for all your help, I really should of read that page a lot more carefully and maybe i wouldnt of missed those two explanations .

        mfalkviddM Offline
        mfalkviddM Offline
        mfalkvidd
        Mod
        wrote on last edited by
        #6

        @greymarvel no worries. There is a lot of information to take in :)
        Don't be afraid to ask more if things are unclear.

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        • ThucarT Offline
          ThucarT Offline
          Thucar
          wrote on last edited by
          #7

          @Greymarvel for a gateway I would suggest using a shielded version of the NRF24L01+PA+LNA as well as this supply adapter

          I was having world of issues with my setup until I did that.

          Controller: Node-Red
          Gateway: SerialGateway & GSMMQTTGateway
          MySensors: 2.2.0

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          • ThucarT Thucar

            @Greymarvel for a gateway I would suggest using a shielded version of the NRF24L01+PA+LNA as well as this supply adapter

            I was having world of issues with my setup until I did that.

            G Offline
            G Offline
            GreyLinux
            wrote on last edited by
            #8

            @thucar
            yeah I read somewhere that unshielded the NRF24L01+ was awful . The socket adapter you linked what is the benefit of using it ? Is it meant to replace the regulator and make a better connection for the radio ?

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            • ThucarT Offline
              ThucarT Offline
              Thucar
              wrote on last edited by
              #9

              I has an onboard voltage reg as well as caps. So you do not need to use any additional hardware.

              Controller: Node-Red
              Gateway: SerialGateway & GSMMQTTGateway
              MySensors: 2.2.0

              G 1 Reply Last reply
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              • ThucarT Thucar

                I has an onboard voltage reg as well as caps. So you do not need to use any additional hardware.

                G Offline
                G Offline
                GreyLinux
                wrote on last edited by
                #10

                @thucar
                that is brilliant I will be getting one of these anything to make life easier . Thanks for your help

                1 Reply Last reply
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                • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

                  @greymarvel no worries. There is a lot of information to take in :)
                  Don't be afraid to ask more if things are unclear.

                  G Offline
                  G Offline
                  GreyLinux
                  wrote on last edited by GreyLinux
                  #11

                  @mfalkvidd I need your advice regarding the radio's on my Arduino nodes . I've wired the power for the radio to vcc on the Arduino which is boosted by a 3.3v step up booster .
                  I have a decoupling capacitor between the vcc and Gnd of the radio but I think my limited range is because of the noise from the booster . If I wire the power of the radio directly to the battery the radio fails completely as seen in the serial monitor . What are my options ?
                  Should I used one of the adapters recommended by @Thucar on all my battery sensors ?

                  mfalkviddM 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • G GreyLinux

                    @mfalkvidd I need your advice regarding the radio's on my Arduino nodes . I've wired the power for the radio to vcc on the Arduino which is boosted by a 3.3v step up booster .
                    I have a decoupling capacitor between the vcc and Gnd of the radio but I think my limited range is because of the noise from the booster . If I wire the power of the radio directly to the battery the radio fails completely as seen in the serial monitor . What are my options ?
                    Should I used one of the adapters recommended by @Thucar on all my battery sensors ?

                    mfalkviddM Offline
                    mfalkviddM Offline
                    mfalkvidd
                    Mod
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #12

                    @greymarvel people here are using different solutions. My preferred way is to power the Arduino and the nrf24 directly by 2xAA, with a 4.7uF capacitor as close to the nrf24 as possible (between vcc and gnd). No step-up, no ldo.

                    I like this solution because it involves very few components, which means less things that can go wrong and easier troubleshooting if something does go wrong.

                    G 1 Reply Last reply
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                    • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

                      @greymarvel people here are using different solutions. My preferred way is to power the Arduino and the nrf24 directly by 2xAA, with a 4.7uF capacitor as close to the nrf24 as possible (between vcc and gnd). No step-up, no ldo.

                      I like this solution because it involves very few components, which means less things that can go wrong and easier troubleshooting if something does go wrong.

                      G Offline
                      G Offline
                      GreyLinux
                      wrote on last edited by GreyLinux
                      #13

                      @mfalkvidd
                      is it possible for me to remove the booster if I've removed the regulator on the pro mini?
                      How long do your sensors last without a booster ?
                      Why do you think my radio's fail when I power them straight from the battery ? Cheap clones maybe ?

                      mfalkviddM 1 Reply Last reply
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                      • G GreyLinux

                        @mfalkvidd
                        is it possible for me to remove the booster if I've removed the regulator on the pro mini?
                        How long do your sensors last without a booster ?
                        Why do you think my radio's fail when I power them straight from the battery ? Cheap clones maybe ?

                        mfalkviddM Offline
                        mfalkviddM Offline
                        mfalkvidd
                        Mod
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #14

                        @greymarvel said in Will a NRF24L01+PA+LNA help with my signal problems:

                        @mfalkvidd
                        is it possible for me to remove the booster if I've removed the regulator on the pro mini?

                        Yes. See https://www.mysensors.org/build/battery for more information

                        How long do your sensors last without a booster ?

                        About 10 years

                        Why do you think my radio's fail when I power them straight from the battery ? Cheap clones maybe ?

                        It could be anything.

                        G 1 Reply Last reply
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                        • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

                          @greymarvel said in Will a NRF24L01+PA+LNA help with my signal problems:

                          @mfalkvidd
                          is it possible for me to remove the booster if I've removed the regulator on the pro mini?

                          Yes. See https://www.mysensors.org/build/battery for more information

                          How long do your sensors last without a booster ?

                          About 10 years

                          Why do you think my radio's fail when I power them straight from the battery ? Cheap clones maybe ?

                          It could be anything.

                          G Offline
                          G Offline
                          GreyLinux
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #15

                          @mfalkvidd
                          you sir are amazing , I soldered the 47uF capacitor practically on the radio and now I'm getting about 10 metres before I get Nack=0 messages . Hopefully with the addition of the NRF24L01+PA+LNA on the gateway I should be able to cover all of the property.

                          Thank you so much again for your help .

                          1 Reply Last reply
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                          • ThucarT Offline
                            ThucarT Offline
                            Thucar
                            wrote on last edited by Thucar
                            #16

                            @Greymarvel for me that 47uF cap is essential whenever I'm not using the full adapter I suggested for your gateway.

                            I'm getting over 30 meters through two 35cm concrete walls and some trees with the following setup: Gateway with a shielded nRF24L01-PA-LNA (not DIY foil shielded, but proper shielded one) and the forementioned adapter.

                            Solar + battery powered sensor with the basic nRF24L01 (PCB antenna) the only booster is that 47uF cap on the radio power pins.

                            Controller: Node-Red
                            Gateway: SerialGateway & GSMMQTTGateway
                            MySensors: 2.2.0

                            1 Reply Last reply
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                            • TmasterT Offline
                              TmasterT Offline
                              Tmaster
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #17

                              Hi to @Greymarvel .Well i already seen this movie before. I bought diferent nrf24 nodes,amplifed ,not amplified,with or without capacitors. In fact i had worst redults with amp nodes. I just change to rfm69hw and w
                              . No more low power/high power...etc. now i got my 4000m2 terrain covered (around 80m long).
                              I didn't check max range but i never had lost a packet again. I was a very good increment on my network stability.
                              That fake nrf24 chips are crazy and unstable and yes,all ebay cheap nodes are fake second i know.

                              i'm a arduino fan .Even sometimes don't undestanding how to use it :P

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