@toyman said in nRF5 action!:

Guys, remind me pls: is CR2450 enough for the nrf52 Ebyte module acting as a Mysensors node?
Is it capable to handle tx current spikes?
Energizer datasheet states 9ma as max curent pulse. Is it sufficient?

yes but you need some power buffer for the spikes. So put 100uF low leakage ceramic capa close to batt holder, and you could also add one more close to your nrf5 module.

Can the same procedure be used with MySensors? OTA needs Softdevice and Softdevice is not compatible with MySensors

You already have your answer I think

@heinzv
yes you're right about lora, and that they're using some juice too (they can even be compatible with a rfm69 when you take a look at the datasheet. TI's too though).
I know about nrf52840 power modes, I just replied about PPI feature (depending what you implement, it can't be completely free).
About Ti mcus, they are new and available at their store only. about sharing my work.. when I'll get time. for the moment I'm very busy (with my job too). In the meantime, you still can play with their devboard and try their courses, or energia.

@NeverDie yes. SC is also accessible from app, it can be independant. If goal would be for sort of lowpower listenmode, there are code examples too, not the goal of SC, sure (no link with rf). I don't think I tried it, but will take a look once I've other stuff ok.
I guess, even if PPI doesn't wake up mcu, the task function with a timer still uses somes power.

Maybe you should keep on nrf if you feel more familiar with these. Truth is I have played too with it, but I stopped on my side, a while ago..and started to take a look at TI (so I could say I'm as familiar or maybe "more" with TI now,..). And perhaps, I already said it, but I'm not interested to pay 12$ for bt840f (limited accessible IOs), or less money but with 840 ceramic antenna. When for the same price I can assemble myself a dualband mcu and pick antennas I need. Like people says, pick what fits best your needs (and the application)

@NeverDie they have sort of equivalent for processing IOs, sensors, i2c etc without waking up the mcu. it's called Sensor Controller (accessible by code or they also provide a small ide for it).
about LORA I've never been really interested in it, I prefer to have my own "micro" network than being a part of a larger network. I would also prefer narrowband.
Sure if you use LORA nodes, maybe narrowband is maybe not the best bet for you. in some cases, widespectrum LORA can have range issues, not heard, when narrowband is used (they made a video+appnote about coexistence)
My need is subghz for long range reliable delivery + BLE for shorter range stuff.., using one broadband antenna or two differents of any kind, to be able to use a module or a bare ic (sometimes a module doesn't fit well in design regarding placement of the module or the antenna orientation&keepout area, so with two modules it's "worse"), and I've been very disappointed to see Nordic changed its mcu footprint (needs premium pcb, and more soldering care). That's why TI picked my curiosity (it ticked all my checkboxes, all in one).
But you're right if you feel more confortable with nrf, it's nice mcus too. Both needs some work anyway (one mcu needs BLE/MySensors, the other needs to get its dualmode compatible with MySensors messages&serial api)

@neverdie said in Everything nRF52840:

Argh. Why, oh why, didn't TI make a launchpad with a PA on both the sub-1ghz and the 2.4ghz?

because it's a very new mcu, and they have some work in progress regarding PA paths. (from what I read). So I think they wanted to quickly provide a few usable&different launchpad designs for customers.

Like I said above (but it's in nrf52840 thread arghh), I designed my own shielded modules that I'll tune regarding an ideal gnd plane. I'll test a few antennas (still have a few favorites, but there are some nice chip antennas I would like to test too). And I'll also tune it regarding a sensor daughter board I made, and again check once it's enclosed too. Once that's done I'll provide some comparison, infos, with tuning results (smith charts, vswr etc), tips and help if I can for assembly or to get my modules (PM, or tindie etc, I have a reflow oven to help me, and at my job we're talking about pick&place in shortterm future, not for iot, but handy for extra projects) but 1st step 1st
Still for the moment, as some others new mcus (with erratas), it's not arduino.. but TI mcus are close as it's possible to use, with some limitations, Energia/Arduino project (and sketches are import-able to TI ide).
Our plan (another team member might be interested, he played with cc135x too) is to use MySensors lib (or a part). The main reason : MySensors API is compatible with lot of controllers.

@adiculiniute
Hi.
Welcome to MySensors.
There are multiple ways to achieve that.
Here there is a list of available controllers for MySensors: https://www.mysensors.org/controller

@NeverDie that's what I'm going to use for my ha. I have TI launchpad and sensortag for testing, already played a bit with previous cc1350 and their framework. I have designed a few different cc1352x rf modules (shielded), childboard for sensors, pcb or ceramic antennas footprints for nodes etc..I'm just waiting to receive pcbs, vna and I'll tune. when enclosed too. for compliance. Lot of fun coming

@NeverDie pyranometer??

@dell640
unfortunately these are theoretical datasheet values. If you want to get best rf efficiency, you would need to check your antenna tuning, and most important point have a huge gnd plane for 433mhz.
Don't forget gnd plane is a part of your antenna. Not taking into account this can lead to bad VSWR ratio and antenna efficiency..
With a not optimal gnd plane I already got +50meters outside range with one concrete wall obstacle.
"Not a lot" of range, but setup was with non optimal hw (since then I learnt more about rf) :

• rfm69hw 868mhz GW was indoor with straight "wire" antenna for test (custom usb dongle in rpi), approx 1.2meter above ground
• and the outdoor node was rfm69cw 868mhz with coiled antenna, batt powered (non optimal gnd plane), approx 1.5meter above ground.

https://forum.mysensors.org/topic/8813/any-success-story-on-lora-rfm95-module-and-mysensors/21
As you can see, it's easy to waste efficiency and range..thus datasheets only numbers are useless.

about indoor range, if you didn't try the TI range estimator excel sheet link, I extracted list of absorption material, if it interests anyone

about using multi protocols in same band, a while ago I modified a graph I found on internet, for comparing wifi less crowded channels VS nrf24/52 channels in MySensors.
Note: zigbee also uses same channels, some implementation can do frequency hopping too, making harder to predict PER packet error rate etc. If I remember Zigbee channel 1 = nrf24/52 channel5. Last zigbee channel being nrf24/52 channel 80.

maybe I'll try to make an article about all this rf stuff (missing time atm).
Still good to know, what possible issues with coexistence of multiple protocols used in same band without good device placement or "time slots" for switching protocols and avoiding "potential collisions". But this would need same synced software for all devices.
I would say, I can be wrong, it's not a great idea to use too many protocols in same band without these precautions, can get messy in air. (not mentioned neigboors playing with different endproducts in same band, antenna detuning, efficiency due to hw designs, ->shifting center freq, bandwitdth etc..).