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Range optimization

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: CC2590

Hello,

I am testing my prototype of wireless speakers and after datagrams efficiency [:)] I am now fighting to optimize maximum range. I am rather unhappy with what I have now – less than 6 meters in the building when there are two or even one brick wall (14 cm thick) in between or 10 - 15 m outside – in the open air. That will not allow me to build a multizone hi-fi set that I am aiming at. I am using the evaluation kit PCB-s, a master is a PCB with a transceiver CC2590, and there are two speakers (slaves).

For now for the sake of optimization I have set the following:

Audio Streaming, 44,1 kHz, Audio Latency – 2048= 46 ms (max)

It improved the range a little (to the values quoted above) which seems weakish.

Are there any more things I can try to extend the range ? - setup options, hardware (different antenna ?)

What is the confirmed experience from the users ?

Regards, Pawel

  • Hi Pawel,

    This sounds strange. Have you seen this app note? http://www.ti.com/lit/an/swra320/swra320.pdf

    Can you please upload your configurator files (project and device configurations)?

    Best regards

    Kristoffer

  • Hi Kristoffer,

    gone through the doc, thanks and so it looks there is definitely a problem in my individual case, please find attached my setup.

    Thanks, Pawel

    7360.My projects.zip

     

  • Maybe this is also of importance that the CC85xx slave module (your hardware) is placed very close (<10 cm) to a digital amp and PWM-driven FET-based power volume control. The output PWM power signal at 176,4 kHz is not currently well filtered so high-frequency Fourier step signal products can be in the air around - can it affect the range siginificantly ? If so what can I do to best test this hypothesis - place e,g, a metal sheet between the two modules ?

    Regards, Pawel

  • Hi Pawel,

    I guess the best way to test if this is an issue would be to simply remove the digital amp and see if the range is improved.

    What is the range if you test in an environment without thick brick walls, e.g. a normal in-house environment with light walls.

    Best regards

    Kristoffer

  • Pawel,

    Why have you selected DSP as the audio device if you are testing with TI's dev-kit? Have you tested with AIC3101?

    -Kristoffer

  • Hi Kristoffer,
    I have been busy developing my audio application for the last few months but the range unfortunately has not improved in the meantime... Can we then come back to my range optimization issue - to clear the last questions - I use the Eval Kit CC85xx modules but placed them on connectors of my own DSP board. That's why it is not quite the kit setup but the important radio part is from the box.
    For the test without the digital amp it is a bit difficult as then I cannot hear the music and the issue is not that i lose the range fully (which I could trace with a scope) but these are rather drop-outs that are easiest to check with sound.
    I attached a sketch of my home testing environment - it is in a block of flats so in a very Wi-Fi busy environment. But still the fact that it cannot get through two not too thick walls is big issue for me.
    What are the possibilities to extend the range ?:
    - different passive antenna ?
    - extra (custom-designed) active signal amplification section (best on the receiver/slave side...)? Is it going to be very challeging to get good resuts or rather standard ?
    - any signal strnegth regulation ? I think CC2590 has some possibilities in this respect - can it be somehow controlled at the software or board configuration level ?

    Regards, Pawel

     

     

  • Hi Pawel,

    Before we do any deep discussion on the different possiblities I would like you to run the same test with an out-of-the box eval kit from TI. Any chance you can remove all the modification you have done? The TI eval kit has the best performance possible to achieve with the CC85xx, and it would be interesting/necessary to see if this is also struggling in your test environment. The last thing we want to do is start chasing a ghost...

    Best regards

    Kristoffer