NRF24L01+ smd schematics

[alexsh1]

@GertSanders you can change the status of your node as "tested". It works just fine - one important thing to remember is to solder the 3.3v solderpad. A couple of observations:

1. I can no longer fit a single AAA battery holders, but a double one only (AA or AAA)

2. the holes for J1 are two small and I had to drill them out.

I have not tested ATSHA204A as I do not have all components yet.

[GertSanders]

@alexsh1

So you received the boards before I did :-)

I'm still waiting on them. They are "in the mail" or at least in the hands of my local mail service (any day now...).

Which type of header/connector did you use to mount in the J1 location ? If the holes are too narrow for the breakable two row male headers, I will adapt this (that is why it is still UNTESTED for me).

Indeed, one or two single AAA holders are not possible on this board. I found that the double battery holders actually are cheaper, and it allows avoiding two extra holes where the radio now sits.

Update: I checked the drill size of the part used in v3 to place the header, indeed this is 0,8mm (31 mil) instead of 1,016mm (40 mil).
In my v4 version I already switched to a wider header, and this one does have 40 mil drill diameter. It's good I did not do a panel with the v3 version.

[alexsh1]

@GertSanders

So you received the boards before I did :-)

Yes, I have got the boards in 3-4 days. Very quick

Which type of header/connector did you use to mount in the J1 location ? If the holes are too narrow for the breakable two row male headers, I will adapt this (that is why it is still UNTESTED for me).

I have used a single row header like this
http://www.protostack.com/connectors/headers/40-pin-2.54mm-snappable-single-row-header

[GertSanders]

@alexsh1
Ordered from OSHPark ?

[alexsh1]

@GertSanders said:

@alexsh1
Ordered from OSHPark ?

Yes - these guys are good

[emc2]

Did anyone successfully used kicad footprint for these guys?
I received today my first PCB designed for the SMD version, did not work and overheated quite badly. After trying to troubleshoot it, frying a few things on the way, it seems to me that VCC / GND pad are switched between schematics and footprint:

"Datasheet" from one of many aliexpress / ebay seller (all seems to be the same)

KiCad PCB view

I changed it on a local lib to reorder a new PCB and try, but if others can have a look at it, especially @tbowmo to update the official github repo if needed.

[alexsh1]

@emc2 You have to be careful with these. As I discovered myself recently there are ones with PIN1 and PIN2 as VCC and GND and others with PIN1 and PIN8 as VCC and GND.
This is not well documented!

[emc2]

@alexsh1 Damnit...
Never encountered a PIN1/PIN8 module yet. Are those with blob? I saw a few modules with black blob, often a big cristal and very cheap but I never ordered them.

I have a few of this exact module, it has a datasheet on the website and wiring it as described work on a breadboard.
Did you encounter any PIN1 - GND, PIN2 - VCC so far?

Problem may be somewhere else, probability that I screwed up my PCB design is high. I will see with the next PCB, with pin switched, if it's working.

[alexsh1]

@emc2 Yes, all of my nrf24l01+ smd modules have PIN1 - VCC and PIN2 - GND
No idea why chinese are switching pins

[tbowmo]

@emc2

Sorry about that, it was made in a jiffy one dark night, and I never got around to verify the footprint myself :(

I'll update the footprint later today (or you can make a PR on github and change it your self).

[emc2]

@tbowmo
Hey no worries, it's still a great ressource and so far I used it without any problem.

I'm always confused by github when it came to PR etc but it should work. I just switched the coordinates of pad 1 and 2 it should do the trick.

Thanks!

[tbowmo]

@emc2

I updated the footprint on github (and yes, I also chose the easy route, and swapped pins 1 and 2 on the footprint) :)