NRF24L01+ genuine vs. counterfeit - checked some modules
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@xlibor It is true, but if you find a trustable seller / modules (like the modules above), you may order more from that seller.
Another indicator may be the price.
Original Nordic NRF24L01+ IC is about 1.78 USD per piece (+TAX) if you buy 1000 pieces. So let's say IC's price may be about 1 USD in high volume - a complete module in the range of 1 USD per piece (including PCB, crystal, etc.) is hard to believe to be original - however, expensive module also may be counterfeit...Otherwise, yesterday I was not sure if I was remember well, but today my colleague confirmed that those modules which I said to consumed more than 4μA is true, but the measured value was ~660μA, so it was also almost 1mA in my case - much worse than modules with original IC.
Anyway, those small modules with counterfeit chips also worked surprisingly well - using a genuine module with PA one side, that counterfeit module (without PA) could also communicate hundreds of meters in open field, but most other modules from China failed that way (one problem could be the unusable external antenna anyway, but other modules with integrated PCB antenna were also worse than this module).
These are the modules I am speaking about: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10-pcs-Free-Shipping-2-4GHz-NRF24l01-Wireless-Module-Mini-Version/32297159921.htmlTheir pinout is the same as the pinout of RF24L01F20 - that module is only a little bit larger, but with PA and certs, so it has much better range and quality.
@VaZso said in NRF24L01+ genuine vs. counterfeit - checked some modules:
These are the modules I am speaking about: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10-pcs-Free-Shipping-2-4GHz-NRF24l01-Wireless-Module-Mini-Version/32297159921.html
Their pinout is the same as the pinout of RF24L01F20 - that module is only a little bit larger, but with PA and certs, so it has much better range and quality.
I am using those, from another AliExpress supplier but looking exactly the same including markings on the "NRF24" counterfeit chip. And when in sleep mode (without watchdog times) my nodes (atmega + radio) seem to consume around 2µA so less than the 4uA you measured for radio only, I'm a bit surprised ? But maybe I'm tricked by my multimeter...
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I received these modules https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2-pcs-L24L01-D03-1000-Meters-Distance-NRF24L01-P-LNA-Wireless-Module-with-Antenna/32335491233.html
I have to say they definitely they have a longer range but not as much as I would have expected indoor. Does anybody know what are the 2 additional pins under the radio module?PS does anybody have a link for good NRF24L01+ non PA version?
@gohan They seem to be connected to GND.
Range depends on the specific ennvironment (walls, used materials like metals, etc), the channel used (if there are other noises like WLAN and so), reflections and such things.
You may also try better antennas or to reduce TX power to see if it runs better. -
@VaZso said in NRF24L01+ genuine vs. counterfeit - checked some modules:
These are the modules I am speaking about: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10-pcs-Free-Shipping-2-4GHz-NRF24l01-Wireless-Module-Mini-Version/32297159921.html
Their pinout is the same as the pinout of RF24L01F20 - that module is only a little bit larger, but with PA and certs, so it has much better range and quality.
I am using those, from another AliExpress supplier but looking exactly the same including markings on the "NRF24" counterfeit chip. And when in sleep mode (without watchdog times) my nodes (atmega + radio) seem to consume around 2µA so less than the 4uA you measured for radio only, I'm a bit surprised ? But maybe I'm tricked by my multimeter...
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@gohan They seem to be connected to GND.
Range depends on the specific ennvironment (walls, used materials like metals, etc), the channel used (if there are other noises like WLAN and so), reflections and such things.
You may also try better antennas or to reduce TX power to see if it runs better. -
@VaZso those modules comes with a 20cm long antenna, I don't have anything bigger than that.
Anyway I'm looking for normal nrf24 modules to fit into smaller projects.@gohan External size is one thing, internals are more important - there are better (properly tuned) antennas in small size.
The RF24L01F20 module seems to be really good. Albeit it has PA, you may lowering the outside power a bit if necessary. -
@gohan External size is one thing, internals are more important - there are better (properly tuned) antennas in small size.
The RF24L01F20 module seems to be really good. Albeit it has PA, you may lowering the outside power a bit if necessary. -
@gohan External size is one thing, internals are more important - there are better (properly tuned) antennas in small size.
The RF24L01F20 module seems to be really good. Albeit it has PA, you may lowering the outside power a bit if necessary. -
@VaZso the problem is how to determine which antenna is better
PS I checked the addition pins and they are indeed ground. I just wonder what is the need to have them there.
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@Nca78 I have measured less than 1μA for real modules and about 660μA for counterfeit ones.
However, multimeter may also give invalid result...@VaZso said in NRF24L01+ genuine vs. counterfeit - checked some modules:
@Nca78 I have measured less than 1μA for real modules and about 660μA for counterfeit ones.
However, multimeter may also give invalid result...That's huge, I'm running a few nodes with those modules on CR2025 and CR2032 they would die in 2 weeks with such a draw and obviously that's not the case. And I don't think a multimeter can be that far from reality ...
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This a module I just got from Amazon produced by Sunfounder but it seems it has the same chip as the fake ones I got also from Amazon
The red one has actually a better range of about 3 meters more indoor but they cost 4.5€ each while the others cost 1.2€. I think I am going to return them and get some from Itead
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i only saw this post today. So i dont have any nrf24 that have this square on top righ of the chip. all have a solid circle. that means they are fake right?
obvius i already expect that because they cost 80cents on ebay righ now.... ::blush: -
@VaZso said in NRF24L01+ genuine vs. counterfeit - checked some modules:
@Nca78 I have measured less than 1μA for real modules and about 660μA for counterfeit ones.
However, multimeter may also give invalid result...That's huge, I'm running a few nodes with those modules on CR2025 and CR2032 they would die in 2 weeks with such a draw and obviously that's not the case. And I don't think a multimeter can be that far from reality ...
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@Nca78 Yes, it is true - if 240 mAh is the battery capacity, it would last for ~15 days.
However, I have measured my modules uninitialized, so it may be better if one sends it to sleep mode by software... I have not measured them in other modes.@VaZso said in NRF24L01+ genuine vs. counterfeit - checked some modules:
However, I have measured my modules uninitialized, so it may be better if one sends it to sleep mode by software... I have not measured them in other modes.
Ah yes that's probably the reason, I will test before I connect them.
@gohan I thing your better range is due to the antenna design, same "style" than the one on "F" ESP8266 modules which also have a slightly better range.
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This a module I just got from Amazon produced by Sunfounder but it seems it has the same chip as the fake ones I got also from Amazon
The red one has actually a better range of about 3 meters more indoor but they cost 4.5€ each while the others cost 1.2€. I think I am going to return them and get some from Itead
For better range, a lot of people seem to like this modification: http://www.instructables.com/id/Enhanced-NRF24L01/
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For better range, a lot of people seem to like this modification: http://www.instructables.com/id/Enhanced-NRF24L01/
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I'm going to try these - they contain the signal amplifier but without the bulk of the sma connector and the external antenna.
At that price it seems you'd be better off with RFM69 or Ra-01 modules instead. It's a real puzzle to me as to why some people get great range from their NRF24L01's, and others do not. I never had much luck with it myself, whereas the RFM69's seem to just work. In the past the RFM's cost a lot more than they do now. On the other hand, the RFM's can be a lot more complex to program, and their wire antenna makes them less compact than the NRF24L01's.
I do like that the Ra-01's appear to have passed FCC (assuming the stamp on their enclosure can be believed).
