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  1. Home
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  3. NRF24L01+PA+LNA

NRF24L01+PA+LNA

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  • OitzuO Offline
    OitzuO Offline
    Oitzu
    wrote on last edited by
    #10

    @noelgeorgi have a look here: http://blog.blackoise.de/2016/02/fixing-your-cheap-nrf24l01-palna-module/
    Tackles most of the nrf24l01 pa/lna module problems.
    In short: Power/Noise/Shielding.
    Addidtional caps don't help in any case.

    noelgeorgiN 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • OitzuO Oitzu

      @noelgeorgi have a look here: http://blog.blackoise.de/2016/02/fixing-your-cheap-nrf24l01-palna-module/
      Tackles most of the nrf24l01 pa/lna module problems.
      In short: Power/Noise/Shielding.
      Addidtional caps don't help in any case.

      noelgeorgiN Offline
      noelgeorgiN Offline
      noelgeorgi
      wrote on last edited by
      #11

      @Oitzu Thank for your replies, but i have already read that blog earlier and my other PA+LNA modules connected to the nodes just work fine.

      1 Reply Last reply
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      • OitzuO Offline
        OitzuO Offline
        Oitzu
        wrote on last edited by
        #12

        @noelgeorgi: My experience with this: Power supplies differ. Even modules that seem to be the same can have different effective output. So maybe trying another supply is the way to go, yes.

        Just want to help. ;)

        B 1 Reply Last reply
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        • OitzuO Oitzu

          @noelgeorgi: My experience with this: Power supplies differ. Even modules that seem to be the same can have different effective output. So maybe trying another supply is the way to go, yes.

          Just want to help. ;)

          B Offline
          B Offline
          bigjimjeedom
          wrote on last edited by
          #13

          @Oitzu ,
          just a question; i have a serial gateway on my JEEDOM box and i have a range problem in my stone house;
          so i replace my nrf24l01+ "classic" with a shielded NRF24L01+PA+LNA (as described in the web site you gave us) powered with a separate 3.3v regulator (the module as a little router antenna).
          it is working but he range is similar as with the classic version.
          So i wanted to know your setting in "config.h" ;
          mine are:
          #define RF24_PA_LEVEL RF24_PA_MAX
          #define RF24_PA_LEVEL_GW RF24_PA_LOW
          #define RF24_DATARATE RF24_250KBPS

          what are your settings for a good range ? (i need about 50m in my house)

          thanks for your help

          1 Reply Last reply
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          • OitzuO Offline
            OitzuO Offline
            Oitzu
            wrote on last edited by
            #14

            @bigjimjeedom you should receive the best results with:

            #define RF24_PA_LEVEL RF24_PA_MAX
            #define RF24_PA_LEVEL_GW RF24_PA_MAX
            #define RF24_DATARATE RF24_250KBPS
            

            As long as your power supply is clean and your module is shielded.

            B 1 Reply Last reply
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            • OitzuO Oitzu

              @bigjimjeedom you should receive the best results with:

              #define RF24_PA_LEVEL RF24_PA_MAX
              #define RF24_PA_LEVEL_GW RF24_PA_MAX
              #define RF24_DATARATE RF24_250KBPS
              

              As long as your power supply is clean and your module is shielded.

              B Offline
              B Offline
              bigjimjeedom
              wrote on last edited by
              #15

              @Oitzu
              do you use thoses settings (max max) ? because some people says that it was not the good way with this module but maybe it is because of bad power supply ???
              i use this for supplying (with a 5v from USB):
              http://fr.aliexpress.com/item/New-Socket-Adapter-plate-Board-for-8Pin-NRF24L01-Wireless-Transceive-module-51/32230227557.html?spm=2114.30011508.3.2.TXAdlL&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_1,searchweb201602_1_10036_10035_10034_10033_507_10032_10020_10001_10002_10017_10010_10005_10006_10011_10003_10021_10004_10022_10009_401_10008_10018_10019,searchweb201603_8&btsid=3092fef5-564c-43aa-98a5-0e834674bcd1

              1 Reply Last reply
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              • OitzuO Offline
                OitzuO Offline
                Oitzu
                wrote on last edited by
                #16

                @bigjimjeedom said:

                @Oitzu
                do you use thoses settings (max max)?

                Yes. I use the max/max settings. I also use as datarate RF24_2MBPS but RF24_250KBPS should be better for good range.

                because some people says that it was not the good way with this module but maybe it is because of bad power supply

                Yes this is due to low power supply -> The module doesn't get enough current for the MAX setting.
                OR
                Bad power supply -> The module needs more current -> bad supplys tend to be noisier on higher current.
                OR
                Bad shielding -> The output from the module is that high that it feedbacks (without the shielding) back into the IC.

                i use this for supplying (with a 5v from USB):

                Never used them, but on the datasheet they look okay.

                B 1 Reply Last reply
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                • OitzuO Oitzu

                  @bigjimjeedom said:

                  @Oitzu
                  do you use thoses settings (max max)?

                  Yes. I use the max/max settings. I also use as datarate RF24_2MBPS but RF24_250KBPS should be better for good range.

                  because some people says that it was not the good way with this module but maybe it is because of bad power supply

                  Yes this is due to low power supply -> The module doesn't get enough current for the MAX setting.
                  OR
                  Bad power supply -> The module needs more current -> bad supplys tend to be noisier on higher current.
                  OR
                  Bad shielding -> The output from the module is that high that it feedbacks (without the shielding) back into the IC.

                  i use this for supplying (with a 5v from USB):

                  Never used them, but on the datasheet they look okay.

                  B Offline
                  B Offline
                  bigjimjeedom
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #17

                  @Oitzu
                  thanks a lot for your help !
                  i try this tonight and i will tell you!

                  1 Reply Last reply
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                  • OitzuO Offline
                    OitzuO Offline
                    Oitzu
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #18

                    @bigjimjeedom i'm eager to hear your results. :)

                    1 Reply Last reply
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                    • F Offline
                      F Offline
                      flopp
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #19

                      Other problem
                      I have cap 4,7uf
                      No shield
                      Power from seperate source

                      When I use it in my Ethernet gateway it starts up but can't receive anything.
                      When I put it on other Uno(repeater) it works fine.
                      When I have it on Uno(battery sensor sketch) it works fine.![alt text](image url)

                      What am I missing?

                      1 Reply Last reply
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                      • OitzuO Offline
                        OitzuO Offline
                        Oitzu
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #20

                        Add shield try again. Even electronics near to the pa/lna module can induce enough noise that it stops working.

                        Different power supplys on the ethernet gateway and the uno?

                        F 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • OitzuO Oitzu

                          Add shield try again. Even electronics near to the pa/lna module can induce enough noise that it stops working.

                          Different power supplys on the ethernet gateway and the uno?

                          F Offline
                          F Offline
                          flopp
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #21

                          @Oitzu
                          Ok will try with shield.

                          Yes, different computers both GW and REP is powered by USB.

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • OitzuO Offline
                            OitzuO Offline
                            Oitzu
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #22

                            @flopp said:

                            Yes, different computers both GW and REP is powered by USB.

                            But same source the pa/lna module or also different?

                            F 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • OitzuO Oitzu

                              @flopp said:

                              Yes, different computers both GW and REP is powered by USB.

                              But same source the pa/lna module or also different?

                              F Offline
                              F Offline
                              flopp
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #23

                              @Oitzu
                              PA is getting from a second USB port(not same as GW) through a step-down to 3,3.
                              GND is connected together from both ports

                              OitzuO 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • F flopp

                                @Oitzu
                                PA is getting from a second USB port(not same as GW) through a step-down to 3,3.
                                GND is connected together from both ports

                                OitzuO Offline
                                OitzuO Offline
                                Oitzu
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #24

                                @flopp said:
                                through a step-down to 3,3.

                                I suspect linear regulator? Then it should, normally, no problem.

                                F 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • OitzuO Oitzu

                                  @flopp said:
                                  through a step-down to 3,3.

                                  I suspect linear regulator? Then it should, normally, no problem.

                                  F Offline
                                  F Offline
                                  flopp
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #25

                                  @Oitzu said:

                                  @flopp said:
                                  through a step-down to 3,3.

                                  I suspect linear regulator?

                                  I have no knowledge about that but I don't think so, because I can turn on a screw to change from ~1.5-4 V

                                  OitzuO 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • F flopp

                                    @Oitzu said:

                                    @flopp said:
                                    through a step-down to 3,3.

                                    I suspect linear regulator?

                                    I have no knowledge about that but I don't think so, because I can turn on a screw to change from ~1.5-4 V

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

                                    @flopp said:

                                    I have no knowledge about that but I don't think so, because I can turn on a screw to change from ~1.5-4 V

                                    Oh, sounds like a switching regulator to me, but can't be sure. Does it have any name? A switching regulator could produce some significant ripple in your supply, that maybe needs to be filtered out.

                                    Would try the shield first, and then see. :D

                                    F 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • OitzuO Oitzu

                                      @flopp said:

                                      I have no knowledge about that but I don't think so, because I can turn on a screw to change from ~1.5-4 V

                                      Oh, sounds like a switching regulator to me, but can't be sure. Does it have any name? A switching regulator could produce some significant ripple in your supply, that maybe needs to be filtered out.

                                      Would try the shield first, and then see. :D

                                      F Offline
                                      F Offline
                                      flopp
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #27

                                      @Oitzu said:

                                      @flopp said:

                                      I have no knowledge about that but I don't think so, because I can turn on a screw to change from ~1.5-4 V

                                      Oh, sounds like a switching regulator to me, but can't be sure. Does it have any name? A switching regulator could produce some significant ripple in your supply, that maybe needs to be filtered out.

                                      Would try the shield first, and then see. :D

                                      Thank you @Oitzu I change to a different step-down and it started to work, even without shield. Now I use this http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-5V-to-3-3V-DC-DC-Step-Down-Power-Supply-Buck-Module-AMS1117-LDO-800MA-/281058278731

                                      before it was this "s**t" http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/RC-Airplane-Module-Mini-360-DC-Buck-Converter-Step-Down-Module-4-75V-23V-to/1686390_32266152653.html

                                      Left is GOOD right is BAD

                                      1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • OitzuO Offline
                                        OitzuO Offline
                                        Oitzu
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #28

                                        @flopp said:

                                        Left is GOOD right is BAD

                                        Just to note: That is a little bit to simple. The left is a linear regulator the right one a switching regulator.
                                        That are different technologies that both have there up and downsides. But for sensors a linear regulator often fits better, yes.

                                        it started to work, even without shield

                                        Never the less i would recommend the shield for even better performance, especially if you want to crank up the pa_level for higher range.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
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                                        • Mark SwiftM Offline
                                          Mark SwiftM Offline
                                          Mark Swift
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #29

                                          I gave up on trying to get the PA+LNB version working with my NodeMCU, reverted back to standard for now!

                                          BTW, I tried it with many different power supplies and with without shielding. Tried for almost a week.

                                          In the end I buckled and ordered a proper shielded version, awaiting its arrival...

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