Reducing the Power Consumption of the nRF24L01 Transceiver

[@markusschmid4257]

Great infos !! Exactly what we need for our next project, thanks for your work!

[@TheSalesEngineer]

I've got my Pro-Minis down to 85ua (with pwr LED cut, stock regulator). Using MySensors, so need to get into the network, but only for weather readings, so like every 10 minutes is fine. The nRF24 clones are all over the place-if they work-so I bought 4 'real' ones, and can use this info to only fire those puppies up when needed. Looking at interrupts with the LowPower.h library, as 8 seconds is not near long enough to sleep. Thanks for this! I'll direct people here from my channel when the video is done!

[@Fleurlean4]

Very useful, thanks for the hard work!

[@Max27653]

Nice done! What is the lowest power consumption of the nRF24L01+ and an arduino pro in RX mode? Can I built a camera remote trigger iwth that that lasts for month on batteries?

[@ForceTronics]

I don't know the Arduino Pro's lowest current consumption. The microcontroller on the board has a sleep mode that probably draws micro amps. But the board has other ICs that burn power like the linear regulator so probably can't go lower that Milla amps

[@Max27653]

@@ForceTronics jes the Arduino is not the bottle neck, it's the nrf that draws propably a lot when in listenmode/ready in sleep

[@pipe2path]

@@Max27653 You are correct. I currently have a set up with a EzSBC esp32 board which draws 10uA in deep sleep mode (without anything connected to it). When the nRF24L01 is connected, the current draw jumps up to >5 mA in deep sleep mode. So, I'm currently trying to figure out how to reduce this current draw from the nRF24L01 if possible.

[@ziaaskari9824]

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I want to analyze the power consumption but I don't know how .... Can I use multi meter by connecting it in series with 3.3v input ?

[@ForceTronics]

You can but unfortunately most handheld multimeters can only measure current down to milliamps or maybe hundred of micro amps. Refer to it's datasheet

[@ДмитрийТисов-ж6я]

Спасибо

[@ForceTronics]

Добро пожаловать

[@Kz-ey7mq]

Sir, are you using current probes for current measuring on MSO? Could you please suggest me the way to measure nA current at low cost? Or any instrument

[@ForceTronics]

In the video I am using the N6705 DC Power Analyzer from Keysight Technologies. It is a power supply with internal shunts and digitzers to capture the dynamic current profile. Scope probes that capture the magnetic field of the current are too noising to go sub milli amp. Another option would be some type of source measurement unit (SMU), but don't know of a low cost solution for nA level measurements.

[@Kz-ey7mq]

@@ForceTronics Sir is it possible to measure it using shunt, if possible please suggest me the resistor value of shunt resistor

[@MPElectronique]

Good :) What about interrupt and sleep ? Thanks! Marc.

[@ForceTronics]

The power down mode is essentially the sleep mode for the nRF24L01 and you take it in or out of power down by changing the state of a pin which is basically an interrupt.

[@MPElectronique]

ForceTronics Thank you

[@MPElectronique]

ForceTronics i would like To make a wireless doorbell with a push Button an interrupt And sleep mode. Is it possible ? Thank you. Have a great day.

[@ForceTronics]

The short answer is yes. The long answer is to write down the functionality and features you want in the design. Then research the different parts, wireless standards, etc that best fit the needs of the design

[@Janithajayasinghe]

I want to transmit data only once I get an interrupt. I found many codes to send data in a loop. I want to transmit data when I get an interrupt and then go back to power down mode. How can I do this?

[@ForceTronics]

These two videos will help. The first talks about how to trigger an interrupt using the nRF24L01 and the other is part of a series that talks about reducing Arduino's power consumption which includes information on sleep mode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKu6lHV3jNWHrpI kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaXZhqikd7aEepI

[@Janithajayasinghe]

Thank you so much! I'll let you know if I have an issue. Thanks again :)

[@TonoNamnum]

When I use the function powerDown it uses 0.6 milliamps. Is anyone else having the same results?

[@ForceTronics]

If there are other circuit components in your design then that will affect the current draw. This video current spec is based on isolating and measuring the current of the nRF24 only

[@TonoNamnum]

@@ForceTronics I have my Arduino in deep sleep when I measured it. Maybe the library that I used was not working properly or I got a cheap clone.

[@ForceTronics]

@@TonoNamnum How are you measuring the current? Measuring low current is not easy, are you using a low cost handheld DMM? Low cost DMM use a shunt to measure current and are not accurate at low ranges. Do you know what the lowest current measurement capability of your device?

[@TonoNamnum]

@@ForceTronics I am using a voltmeter it is accurate. I am also not using the entire Arduino board. I have only the atmega 328 chip. When the atmega 328 chip goes to sleep it is in the micro amps of current. I am turning on the nrf24 with a transistor because of this and everything works great. I probably have a clone of the NRF24 becasue they where very cheap on ebay. Or maybe I am using an outdated library I will try those both options.