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|  How to fix low-power mode detection issues with Nordic Power Profiler Kit in firmware applications?

How to fix low-power mode detection issues with Nordic Power Profiler Kit in firmware applications?

October 14, 2024

Discover effective solutions for resolving low-power mode detection issues in firmware using the Nordic Power Profiler Kit with this comprehensive guide.

How to fix low-power mode detection issues with Nordic Power Profiler Kit in firmware applications?

 

Understanding Low-Power Mode Detection

 

Correctly detecting low-power modes in your application is crucial, especially when using the Nordic Power Profiler Kit (PPK) to optimize power consumption. This tool can precisely measure the current consumption of your device, but there could be challenges in detecting low-power modes effectively due to firmware issues or misconfigurations. Here’s how you can troubleshoot and fix these problems.

 

Ensure Correct SDK and Firmware Version

 

  • Always verify that you are using the latest version of the Nordic SDK that supports your specific development board. Compatibility issues between the SDK and the PPK can lead to incorrect power readings.

 

Configure GPIOs Correctly

 

  • Ensure all GPIOs that are not required during low-power modes are not floating. By using internal pull-down or pull-up resistors, you can prevent GPIOs from consuming power unintentionally.

 

nrf_gpio_cfg_input(PIN_NUMBER, NRF_GPIO_PIN_PULLDOWN);

 

Use Proper Sleep Functions

 

  • Make sure that your firmware is properly invoking the sleep or low-power functions. Nordic chips often use the following sleep function based on the Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) you are using. Incorporate the System ON and System OFF modes effectively.

 

__WFE();  // Wait for Event - preferred for low-power sleep
__SEV();  // Set Event - wakes the system up
__WFE();

 

Check PPK Hardware Configuration

 

  • Verify all physical connections to the PPK. Ensure that you have correctly set up the PPK to measure the voltage and current correctly for the specific sections of your board it’s connected to.

 

Analyze and Filter Power Consumption Data

 

  • Use the Power Profiler Kit software to visually inspect the power consumption profile across different operational modes of your application.
  • Apply filtering within the software to isolate and track the low-power spots for accurate power profiling.

 

Verify Clock Settings

 

  • Misconfigured clocks can increase power consumption. Ensure that your firmware is using low-frequency clocks when your device is in low-power modes.

 

nrf_clock_lf_cfg_t clock_lf_cfg = NRF_CLOCK_LFCLK_RC;
nrf_drv_clock_init();

 

Review Peripheral Configuration

 

  • Ensure all peripherals are properly disabled or set to a low-power state when not in use. This includes UART, SPI, and other communication interfaces.

 

Implement Power Management Libraries

 

  • Consider using Nordic’s Power Management library which helps in automatically switching between low-power states. This, however, requires proper integration into your application’s main loop.

 

#include "nrf_pwr_mgmt.h"

nrf_pwr_mgmt_init();

 

Cross-Platform Dependencies and Testing

 

  • Ensure the code and libraries you are using are optimized for the specific microcontroller you are working with. Perform thorough testing under different operational scenarios to validate low-power behavior.

 

By ensuring these aspects are properly addressed in your firmware development workflow, you can significantly enhance the low-power mode detection and utilization with the Nordic Power Profiler Kit, ultimately leading to more efficient power consumption and longer device battery life.

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