CC1310DK Range

For SmartRF Studio warning: See e2e.ti.com/.../539564. If you get a message that you need to replace the chip you should do this to ensure proper operation.

If you get RSSI = -55 dBm with the Rx and Tx 1 m apart it could sound like you have a issue with one of the antennas. You should have seen ~-20 -25 dBm at this distance. To test if this is the case, could you test with the PCB antenna on the EMs to see if you get a better result then.

Hi

Thanks for answering. With the PCB antennae I get -120dBm background and about -110 to -115 with continuous Tx/Rx at a distance of less than a foot. At 1 meter I can't distinguish the background from the received power.

Is there a way I can get my development kit replaced? I am in Austin so going directly to a TI office is also a possibility for me.

Thanks Again

Have you connected the PCB antenna correctly? From the numbers it sounds like you don't have an antenna. Could you take a close up of your boards showing the connection?

To my understanding, the PCB antenna is part of the CC1310xx EM board? I was definitely seeing some power received at a very close distance, but I could be mistaken.
Here are some pictures and screenshots.
Board:
http://imgur.com/UUYK3VE

Background:
http://imgur.com/PVGkYPF

1 Foot Distance:
http://imgur.com/XNBaFT0

1 Meter Distance:
http://imgur.com/elQB0VY

Sorry if I was unclear. I basically wanted a picture where I could see if you have soldered the correct component to use the PCB antenna. That is not possible to see on your pictures.

Actually I wasn't aware that I needed to solder anything. I will have to look at the schematic and see where to solder. Unfortunately I do not have access to a soldering iron until Monday so I will have to get back to you then.
Thank You

We had some very strange results testing the PCB antenna. We measured the following minimum RSSI
:
Background RSSI = -122dBm

PCB antenna to PCB antenna RSSI = -44 dBm
(by connecting the resistor to A1 with a wire as shown here: http://imgur.com/Kqy9ZrW)

Using a length of wire as antennae from J1 RSSI = -33dBm
(As shown here: http://imgur.com/Lo08C4S of this length: http://imgur.com/LquzWT4)

Using the whip antennae from the DK: -42 dBm

If the CC1310 EM is definitely defective can I start the replacement process for that now? We are having to push back progress in our project while we wait for the long-range communication aspect to get off the ground.

Your trial with the wire antenna indicate that the EM in it self works, it's just the antenna that comes with the kit that it's not optimal. It has happened that the wipe antenna has a brake internally or that the tap fitting into the SMA is too short. Would you be able to get hold of a different wipe antenna for your testing?

The antennas on the CC1310 LP are slightly directional since the antenna design is implemented on the PCB. The optimal radiation/range from the PCB antenna  on the LP will be when the antennas structure are facing each other. If the LPs are placed so that the board edges are facing each other then I would expect a lower RSSI.

Regards,

   Richard

I can try to purchase new antennae, but SmartRF Studio still tells me that the 1310 are defective and to seek replacement. So surely there must also be something wrong with the board?

The RSSI I just reported in my last post was done with the board edges facing each other at 1 meter. The other tests with the wire and whip antennae were also at 1 meter.

I used the contact form and will hopefully get a replacement soon.
Thank you for all your help.
Tejas

Hi Richard,

Good Day. we have designed CC1310 for IoT Application by refereeing Eval CC1310 Board . And we used two types antenna, one is PCB Type and other is SMA Anteena. after designing the baord , we tested the board and found that the Range of the Board in 868MHz Mode is only getting <25Mtrs with PCB Type anteena and <20Mtrs by using SMA Anteena.
Could you please let me know ,what is the issue which we are facing ? how to improve the Range ?
We used the attached GERBER as it is. but i don't what will be the issue. kindly help us.

Ramesh

RameshG, 

Have you confirmed the output power and sensitivity of your custom boards before starting field trials.

I recommend using SmartRF Studio to enable you to create a unmodulated TX tone, verify its frequency tolerance to within 10ppm (or about 10kHz) and verify that the TX output is within 2dB of what you have set the chip to do. 

Then later use two boards to perform an end-2-end test in the test lab confirming that you can receive packets all the way down to -100dBm at 50kbps.

Regards,
/TA

RameshG: If you look in the Excel shhet found here: e2e.ti.com/.../375556 you will see that this has a Tab called "Range Debug Check List". Go through the check list first.