nRF5 action!
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@d00616 said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:
IMHO the best MCU for creating new battery powered sensors is the nRF5 stating with a ~3€ board, if required in combination with RFM modules.
The board you linked to is an nRF51. Which do you prefer? nRF51 or nRF52?
@NeverDie said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:
The board you linked to is an nRF51. Which do you prefer? nRF51 or nRF52?
I prefer to use nRF52 controllers when the price doesn't matter.
@NeverDie said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:
Now that you mention it, that board you linked to would be an interesting way to control an RFM69, especially if it could do an OTA sketch uploade. Can it?
OTA sketch upload is on my todo list, but not at the first position ;-)
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Looks as though the nRF52832 beats the nRF51832 on Rx sensitivity at 1mbps. The nRF51832 is:
• -90 dBm at 1 Mbps
versus -93dBm at 1Mbps for the nRF52832.On the other hand, the nRF51832 has -96dBm receive sensitivity at 250kbps, and the nRF52832 appears to lack that mode altogether. So, in a way, that make sthe nRF51832 seem a bit more attractive on range, even if one has to pay a price on bitrate.
@NeverDie said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:
On the other hand, the nRF51832 has -96dBm receive sensitivity at 250kbps, and the nRF52832 appears to lack that mode altogether.
The 250kbps mode is working with the nRF5232 but this was the last chip supporting this mode.
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This module is interesting because it looks as though it would be relatively easy to attach to most simple sensor projects:
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/NRF52832-Bluetooth-4-2-module-Bluetooth-5-program-PCBA-serial-transmission-cost-effective/1383441_32818791344.html -
I found some useful connectors:
1.27mm pitch seems to be what's most common with nRF52 stuff.
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@gohan said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:
what would you use those connectors for?
The J-Tag ones for connecting a J-tag programmer to an nRF5 board (e.g. the adafruit one has holes for such a 2x5 connector already on its PCB).
The 1.27mm headers I think I might use for connecting some of the small nRF5 boards which have 1.27mm pitch through-holes onto some prototypes rather than just soldering them down. That way I can easily move them to the next version of the prototype without creating a lot of desoldering work.
I've ordered all of the above earlier today. I'm just providing the links in case others may want to do the same.
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This module is interesting because it looks as though it would be relatively easy to attach to most simple sensor projects:
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/NRF52832-Bluetooth-4-2-module-Bluetooth-5-program-PCBA-serial-transmission-cost-effective/1383441_32818791344.html@NeverDie Thanks for the nrf link, but I liked the units with coin cell better. I purchased 2.
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@NeverDie Thanks for the nrf link, but I liked the units with coin cell better. I purchased 2.
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@NeverDie Thanks for the nrf link, but I liked the units with coin cell better. I purchased 2.
@Terrence said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:
@NeverDie Thanks for the nrf link, but I liked the units with coin cell better. I purchased 2.
This module looks great. Both oscillators and the inductor is placed ob board. But the SWDIO and SDCLK are not connected. You can only flash via OTA update. Don't flash MySensors until you have moved the used Flash by NVM driver. The NVM would overwrite the DFU bootloader. It's possible that the nRF5 code needs changes to support running on an nRF5 with Softdevice.
@scalz is playing/plans to play with Nordics OTA update.
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A couple more interesting finds.
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This one is small but includes a PA, so you can allegedly get 20dBm+ in TX:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/PTR5618PA-Nordic-nRF52832-Module-PA-module-BLE-4-0-Module-Free-shipping/32761051086.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.9.W4RMn3&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10065_10151_10068_10130_9947_10084_10083_10119_10080_10082_10081_10136_10110_10178_10137_10111_10060_10112_10113_10155_10114_10154_438_10056_10055_10054_10182_10059_100031_10099_10078_10079_10103_10073_10102_10120_5360020_10189_10052_10053_10142_10107_10050_10051-9947,searchweb201603_5,ppcSwitch_4&btsid=66711830-6dac-41e4-9674-fe24475ac9f5&algo_expid=4a176404-eb42-4313-9eae-531e59e60ccf-1&algo_pvid=4a176404-eb42-4313-9eae-531e59e60ccf -
This one allegedly includes not only a PA, but an LNA too:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/nRF52832-LNA-PA-Range-Extension-EV-Board-best-sol-for-the-coming-Bluetooth-5-0-and/32778491443.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.2.W4RMn3&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10065_10151_10068_10130_9947_10084_10083_10119_10080_10082_10081_10136_10110_10178_10137_10111_10060_10112_10113_10155_10114_10154_438_10056_10055_10054_10182_10059_100031_10099_10078_10079_10103_10073_10102_10120_5360020_10189_10052_10053_10142_10107_10050_10051-9947,searchweb201603_5,ppcSwitch_4&btsid=66711830-6dac-41e4-9674-fe24475ac9f5&algo_expid=4a176404-eb42-4313-9eae-531e59e60ccf-0&algo_pvid=4a176404-eb42-4313-9eae-531e59e60ccf
Awfully expensive though.
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Attractive form factor, but I believe that it's just a beacon. If not, how do you connect it to anything?
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@Terrence said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:
@NeverDie Thanks for the nrf link, but I liked the units with coin cell better. I purchased 2.
This module looks great. Both oscillators and the inductor is placed ob board. But the SWDIO and SDCLK are not connected. You can only flash via OTA update. Don't flash MySensors until you have moved the used Flash by NVM driver. The NVM would overwrite the DFU bootloader. It's possible that the nRF5 code needs changes to support running on an nRF5 with Softdevice.
@scalz is playing/plans to play with Nordics OTA update.
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Lastly, I'm quite intrigued by this one, which is an nRF51832, because it is only 11.4mmx9.5mm in size:
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/PTR5528-Fingertip-size-nRF51822-Module-Ultra-Low-Power-Bluetooth-4-0-Low-Energy-RF-Module-Free/130096_1705429590.html?spm=2114.12010108.0.0.TRBTKqHas anyone seen anything else which is that small or even smaller?
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@Terrence
Maybe you'd like this one (or similar) a little better, as it has some additional sensors already built into it:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Ship-Bluetooth-4-0-temperature-sensor-pressure-sensor-acceleration-sensor-gyroscope-light-nRF51822-bluetooth-4/32705653095.html?spm=2114.10010108.1000013.6.5TTgVd&traffic_analysisId=recommend_2088_3_82199_new&scm=1007.13339.82199.0&pvid=71d80c46-bd50-4ed5-bdc6-1d6253d9e038&tpp=1 -
@d00616 said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:
I think it's simpler to use one of the ST-LINK v2 clones. The DK board should be good for development, debugging and current measurement.
What exactly do I need to do to get it work? I tried it from Windows, and failed. I seem to recall you said you got it to work from Linux after changing a definition. Would you mind showing the steps, or providing a link on how to do that?
@NeverDie said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:
What exactly do I need to do to get it work? I tried it from Windows, and failed. I seem to recall you said you got it to work from Linux after changing a definition. Would you mind showing the steps, or providing a link on how to do that?
I have updates my documentation: https://www.openhardware.io/view/376
I have tested all three programmer types with Windows 10. It looks like Zadig installs the correct drivers for J-Link and ST-Link adapters. The CMSIS-DAP requires the serial driver from mbed.
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@NeverDie said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:
What exactly do I need to do to get it work? I tried it from Windows, and failed. I seem to recall you said you got it to work from Linux after changing a definition. Would you mind showing the steps, or providing a link on how to do that?
I have updates my documentation: https://www.openhardware.io/view/376
I have tested all three programmer types with Windows 10. It looks like Zadig installs the correct drivers for J-Link and ST-Link adapters. The CMSIS-DAP requires the serial driver from mbed.
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@Terrence
Maybe you'd like this one (or similar) a little better, as it has some additional sensors already built into it:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Ship-Bluetooth-4-0-temperature-sensor-pressure-sensor-acceleration-sensor-gyroscope-light-nRF51822-bluetooth-4/32705653095.html?spm=2114.10010108.1000013.6.5TTgVd&traffic_analysisId=recommend_2088_3_82199_new&scm=1007.13339.82199.0&pvid=71d80c46-bd50-4ed5-bdc6-1d6253d9e038&tpp=1@NeverDie said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:
Maybe you'd like this one (or similar) a little better, as it has some additional sensors already built into it:
This is the discussion to this board: https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/6951/nrf5-multi-sensor-board-12-14/1
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@d00616
Thanks! I had been using a computer running Windows 7, and I got no joy with Zadig and st-link v2 on that. However, you just now mentioned Windows 10, so I'll give that a try.@NeverDie said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:
hanks! I had been using a computer running Windows 7, and I got no joy with Zadig and st-link v2 on that. However, you just now mentioned Windows 10, so I'll give that a try.
I think the best option for beginners is to use an CMSIS-DAP/DAPLink adapter. Firmware and drivers are open source and there is an integrated serial port.
The ST-Link adapter is initialized with an ST-Link driver by libwdi. If you have luck you can find an old variant.
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Lastly, I'm quite intrigued by this one, which is an nRF51832, because it is only 11.4mmx9.5mm in size:
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/PTR5528-Fingertip-size-nRF51822-Module-Ultra-Low-Power-Bluetooth-4-0-Low-Energy-RF-Module-Free/130096_1705429590.html?spm=2114.12010108.0.0.TRBTKqHas anyone seen anything else which is that small or even smaller?
@NeverDie said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:
Has anyone seen anything else which is that small or even smaller?
Yes. 9x9mm with antenna: https://de.aliexpress.com/store/product/PTR5628-Nordic-nRF52832-Module-BLE-4-0-Module-Free-shipping/130096_32760971926.html but photo and product description are different. I had a discussion with the manufacterer end of 2016 at this time the module was shown as 9*9mm module. The PTR5628 has no 32kHz oscillator, you have to use the unprecise RC oscillator.
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@NeverDie said in Minimalist SAMD21 TQFP32 Pro Mini:
Has anyone seen anything else which is that small or even smaller?
Yes. 9x9mm with antenna: https://de.aliexpress.com/store/product/PTR5628-Nordic-nRF52832-Module-BLE-4-0-Module-Free-shipping/130096_32760971926.html but photo and product description are different. I had a discussion with the manufacterer end of 2016 at this time the module was shown as 9*9mm module. The PTR5628 has no 32kHz oscillator, you have to use the unprecise RC oscillator.
@d00616
9mmx9mm would be great. However, are you certain? Product description says 15.4mmx15.4mm.Pitty the lack of 32khz crystal, but for a lot of sensor nodes perhaps it won't matter much.
I did find this after making my prior post:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/nRF51-M0-Ultra-small-Bluetooth-BLE-Module-4-0-Module-LIS3DH-Support-10-GPIOs/32697055436.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.295.t9NHvJ
which is allegedly 8.5mmx10.5mm and allegedly does have a 32Khz crystal, but the trade-off is that it's an nRF51832, not an nRF52832.
