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nRF24L01+PA+LNA

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  • W wico2002

    Hi, i have the same problem. Bought a pa+lna radio with black antenna and only work if i touch the antenna or the radio's pcb, else the data if not sent at all. i added only a 200uf capacitor. Even with the breadboard power supply, to have a separate 3.3v it dont work. My basic nrf24l01+ is working well (except the range) but not the pre amplified one.

    Any one have ideas ?

    OitzuO Offline
    OitzuO Offline
    Oitzu
    wrote on last edited by
    #26

    @wico2002 try adding a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of tin foil around the pcb.
    In this process don't let the tinfoil touch the pcb or any connection. This will basically create a farraday cage around your pcb.
    I've learned the hard way that the boosted modules can sometimes, at high power levels, interfere with itself.

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    • W Offline
      W Offline
      wico2002
      wrote on last edited by
      #27

      @Oitzu I try running it at a lower PA level, set in the code, don't know if it helped or not. I also found if I keep the antenna straight (my antenna plug is pointing on the side, so let say 0 degrees) or at 90 degrees no data is sent but if it is fold at 45 degree the data seems to be sent good even if I don't touch the radio (but still don't know if I got a good range or not). seems to work better without the antenna plugged in ...

      i'll try your trick

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      • OitzuO Offline
        OitzuO Offline
        Oitzu
        wrote on last edited by
        #28

        @wico2002 that's all really the typical behaviour i observed, too.
        In reality the module sends the data but will never receive the "ack" because the signal overloads, due to interferences, the nrf24l01+ on the board.
        Holding your hand arround the pcb or antenna or unplugging the antenna weakens the signal and stops this behaviour.

        See also: http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/1877/2-x-nrf24l01-pa-lna-with-rf24_pa_max/12

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        • W Offline
          W Offline
          wico2002
          wrote on last edited by
          #29

          Thank you for this link.

          I will reply in that topic to continue the same subject.

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          • J Offline
            J Offline
            johnr
            wrote on last edited by
            #30

            Hi,

            I built my serial gateway like two years ago and it is running smooth with nRF24L01+ PA+ LNA

            I remember a had to fiddle with the power setting. Since I am now replacing it with a Ethernet gateway, I plan to use a ld1117v33 to power the radio. It can give 800ma so it should be suffcient to runt it without power issues.

            Did anyone have experience with this? Do you recommend I should set Pa_level to high or Max?

            OitzuO 1 Reply Last reply
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            • J johnr

              Hi,

              I built my serial gateway like two years ago and it is running smooth with nRF24L01+ PA+ LNA

              I remember a had to fiddle with the power setting. Since I am now replacing it with a Ethernet gateway, I plan to use a ld1117v33 to power the radio. It can give 800ma so it should be suffcient to runt it without power issues.

              Did anyone have experience with this? Do you recommend I should set Pa_level to high or Max?

              OitzuO Offline
              OitzuO Offline
              Oitzu
              wrote on last edited by
              #31

              @johnr you should give it a try. 800mA is more than enough.
              But don't forget to shield the module probably otherwise you will have the above mentioned interferences.

              Site note: The max setting is actually a special setting for nrf24l01+ clones that have a higher output setting on a special register then the original nrf24l01+ chips. But regardless the chip you can use this. A original nrf24l01+ will simply ignore the register flag.

              karl261K 1 Reply Last reply
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              • OitzuO Oitzu

                @johnr you should give it a try. 800mA is more than enough.
                But don't forget to shield the module probably otherwise you will have the above mentioned interferences.

                Site note: The max setting is actually a special setting for nrf24l01+ clones that have a higher output setting on a special register then the original nrf24l01+ chips. But regardless the chip you can use this. A original nrf24l01+ will simply ignore the register flag.

                karl261K Offline
                karl261K Offline
                karl261
                wrote on last edited by
                #32

                @Oitzu Is that so? How could I find out if my nrf accepts the max setting? Maybe it is not using it at all. What is the default then? I also saw that @GertSanders was recommending to use the "high" setting as maximum. Maybe that is why?

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                • OitzuO Offline
                  OitzuO Offline
                  Oitzu
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #33

                  @karl261 the MAX Setting is the HIGH setting + a extra bit. The extra bit is ignored by the original nrf24l01+ chips. Some nrf24l01+ clones (also known as the SI24R1) are using this bit to switch into a higher mode.

                  karl261K 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • OitzuO Oitzu

                    @karl261 the MAX Setting is the HIGH setting + a extra bit. The extra bit is ignored by the original nrf24l01+ chips. Some nrf24l01+ clones (also known as the SI24R1) are using this bit to switch into a higher mode.

                    karl261K Offline
                    karl261K Offline
                    karl261
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #34

                    @Oitzu Ok, so, if I understand correctly, then, if I set the nrf to max, and it will ignore the flag, it will be at high, correct?

                    Another question: I have a battery sensor with a +pa+lna because I installed a little weather station in a bird house... Concerning battery life, would you run it at min or low?

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                    • OitzuO Offline
                      OitzuO Offline
                      Oitzu
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #35

                      @karl261 with the original nrf24l01+ modules this is correct, yes.
                      To save battery use the lowest setting that still works without transmitting errors.

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