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CC2520 RF Output Power

Lijo Thomas
Intellectual 540 points

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: CC2520

Hi all,

We are using CC2520 for one of our application.

We had manufactured around 200 modules using the CC2520 RF Transceiver.

According to the data sheet the maximum output power is +5dBm.

But in our case we are getting the max output power around +3 to +4 dBm.

Is there anyway to increase the RF output power of our modules  to +5dBm.

  • 0
    TI__Guru** 106705 points

    Hi Lijo,

    First off there are chip to chip variations. As you can see from the datasheet, the 5 dBm setting has a typical variation of +2 / -3 dB. Have you measured all your 200 devices? They are anyway likely from the same chip production batch and can thus have similar offset in TX power.

    How are you measuring your output power? Conducted? Radiated? What kind of instrument do you use?

    Additionally there are many possible ways one can loose 1 to 2 dBs :-) Have you copied the reference design exactly? Are you using the same stack up of the PCB? Are you using an integrated or discrete balun? What kind of antenna are you using? Are you unsing the same components as in the reference design (not just values, but identical part numbers)?

    Cheers,

    Fredrik

  • 0 in reply to Fredrik K
    Intellectual 540 points

    Hi Fredrik,

    Yes we have measured all the devices. And we are measuring the output power at the SMA connector using a Spectrum Analyzer.

    And we use the reference design completely and the same stack up with discrete balun.

    Yes we are using an External Antenna and the same values of components mentioned by the design.

    But I agree all components will not be (identical ) Part No used by the reference design.  But we had ensured the component values are exact  tolerant with reference design.

    We would share our PCB design if required. Please provide your email ID so that I can send.

    Thanks for the support,

    Regards

    Lijo Thomas

  • 0 in reply to Lijo Thomas
    TI__Genius 12545 points

    Lijo,

    Adding to what Fred said, have you measured what the cable loss is? Usually we see 1-2dB loss in the cable itself from the SMA to the spectrum analyzer. Also, if the SMA connector is not part of the board and soldered ON, how the SMA connector is soldered too becomes critical. i.e. the ground of the SMA connector should be soldered close to the RF path ground, this ensures shortest return paths and keeps the impedance unchanged.

    You can friend Fred or me and then send us your reference design privately. Sometimes poor layout too can reduce the performance of the board.

  • 0 in reply to Chatto
    Intellectual 815 points

    Hi Lijo,

    Can i know the part no. of the discrete balun u have used for ur CC2520 PCB design?

    Bibin

  • 0 in reply to Bibin Varghese
    Intellectual 540 points

    Bibin,

    we followed the cc2520 reference design ckt. we didn't  use any balun chip as such.

    Designed the balun circuit using the on board components 

    Regards

    Lijo Thomas