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NRF24L01 and Tx power settings (V2x2): broken?

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28 Jan 2015 13:26 #28152 by robca
NRF24L01 and Tx power settings (V2x2): broken? was created by robca
I installed a NRF24L01 module in my Devo 7e (which has the same wiring for the nightlies and release), and properly enabled it in hardware.ini:

enable-nrf24l01 = A14
has_pa-nrf24l01 = 1

The module works, and I can control a WLToys V222.

To help testing, I tried setting the Tx power lower (it defaults to 150mW, which is overkill for a small quad), and tried figuring out the ideal range for indoor flight.

I noticed that lower power settings seemed to make no difference (I'm testing indoor, but I have walls between rooms, and at least for the DSM2 protocol, lowering Tx power makes a difference (I also have a properly done diode mod, and I actually tested my DSM2 range in the open, full range at full power, lower range at lower power)

Even at the lowest setting (in the microW), I can still get thru three wall with no problems

Is the V2x2 protocol correctly setting the PA values to limit Tx power? In my tests, it seems to make no difference whatsoever (and I can't perform an outdoor test now)

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28 Jan 2015 14:25 - 28 Jan 2015 14:31 #28155 by aMax
Replied by aMax on topic NRF24L01 and Tx power settings (V2x2): broken?
Please link to your nRF24L01.
You should have all power settings from 100uW to 100mW
(150 is stated but not possible, 20dBm !)
Which firmware version of Deviation?
Devo7e, TaranisQ X7, R9M , 4in1 MM, Futaba FC18plusV3.2 & DFT/FLD-02
Last edit: 28 Jan 2015 14:31 by aMax.

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29 Jan 2015 00:12 #28190 by robca
Replied by robca on topic NRF24L01 and Tx power settings (V2x2): broken?
This is my module www.banggood.com/2_4G-NRF24L01-PA-LNA-Wi...ntenna-p-922601.html (I also added an antenna)

I'm using the August nightly (last nightly build available)

I can see all power settings in the setup screen. Setting lower values, though, makes no difference, I can still go thru all the walls without problems (and at 100uW should not be possible to go thru 3 walls :))

thanks!

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29 Jan 2015 15:44 #28207 by mwm
Replied by mwm on topic NRF24L01 and Tx power settings (V2x2): broken?

aMax wrote: You should have all power settings from 100uW to 100mW
(150 is stated but not possible, 20dBm !)


So what does it do if you set it to 150mW?
Do not ask me questions via PM. Ask in the forums, where I'll answer if I can.

My remotely piloted vehicle ("drone") is a yacht.

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29 Jan 2015 17:03 - 29 Jan 2015 17:12 #28211 by aMax
Replied by aMax on topic NRF24L01 and Tx power settings (V2x2): broken?

mwm wrote:

aMax wrote: You should have all power settings from 100uW to 100mW
(150 is stated but not possible, 20dBm !)


So what does it do if you set it to 150mW?


The same as with 100mW....
No increasing current draw anymore.

Edit: The same with the A7105-D03 module. Only the CyRF module put something on top. Seem to depend on the used PA.
Devo7e, TaranisQ X7, R9M , 4in1 MM, Futaba FC18plusV3.2 & DFT/FLD-02
Last edit: 29 Jan 2015 17:12 by aMax.

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29 Jan 2015 20:15 #28216 by Durete
Replied by Durete on topic NRF24L01 and Tx power settings (V2x2): broken?
Just finished to check mine.
According the range test I did at home, the minimum power appears to be 1mw. If you config any lower value, the nRF24l01 transmit at the same power, so same range.
Need to check at field, but it's very cold out home :P

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29 Jan 2015 21:56 #28219 by hexfet
Replied by hexfet on topic NRF24L01 and Tx power settings (V2x2): broken?
The nRF device only has 4 power settings. Comments and code from the nRF interface below. The top and bottom sections make sense to me, but not the middle. Wouldn't 100uW, 300uW, and 1mW tx settings all have the same output?
// Power setting is 0..3 for nRF24L01
// Claimed power amp for nRF24L01 from eBay is 20dBm. 
//      Raw            w 20dBm PA
// 0 : -18dBm  (16uW)   2dBm (1.6mW)
// 1 : -12dBm  (60uW)   8dBm   (6mW)
// 2 :  -6dBm (250uW)  14dBm  (25mW)
// 3 :   0dBm   (1mW)  20dBm (100mW)
// So it maps to Deviation as follows
/*
TXPOWER_100uW  = -10dBm
TXPOWER_300uW  = -5dBm
TXPOWER_1mW    = 0dBm
TXPOWER_3mW    = 5dBm
TXPOWER_10mW   = 10dBm
TXPOWER_30mW   = 15dBm
TXPOWER_100mW  = 20dBm
TXPOWER_150mW  = 22dBm
*/
u8 NRF24L01_SetPower(u8 power)
{
    u8 nrf_power = 0;
    switch(power) {
        case TXPOWER_100uW: nrf_power = 0; break;
        case TXPOWER_300uW: nrf_power = 0; break;
        case TXPOWER_1mW:   nrf_power = 0; break;
        case TXPOWER_3mW:   nrf_power = 1; break;
        case TXPOWER_10mW:  nrf_power = 1; break;
        case TXPOWER_30mW:  nrf_power = 2; break;
        case TXPOWER_100mW: nrf_power = 3; break;
        case TXPOWER_150mW: nrf_power = 3; break;
        default:            nrf_power = 0; break;

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29 Jan 2015 22:10 #28220 by Durete
Replied by Durete on topic NRF24L01 and Tx power settings (V2x2): broken?
Yessss!
My test inside home pointed me your information. At 3w the range increase a lot, at 1mw or less, same range.

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30 Jan 2015 10:45 #28233 by robca
Replied by robca on topic NRF24L01 and Tx power settings (V2x2): broken?
That could definitely explain what I see in my case, thanks for all the extra info

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