The Engineering Projects

Introduction to nRF52840

Hello friends, I hope you all are doing great. In today's tutorial, we are gonna have a look at a detailed Introduction to nRF52840. nRF52840 is a low-power 2.4 GHz wireless system-on-chip (SoC). It integrates a multi-protocol 2.4 GHz transceiver, an Arm Cortex-M4F CPU and flash memory. It is the best system-on-chip (SoC) for any short-range wireless personal area network or IPv6-enabled automation applications.

nRF52840 supports low energy Bluetooth, 802.15.4, ANT™ and user proprietary 2.4 GHz protocols. nRF52840 is used in different industrial projects such as industrial mesh networks, advanced personal fitness devices, and smart city infrastructure. In today's post, we will have a look at its working, specifications, applications, pinout, etc. I will also share some links where I have interfaced it with other microcontrollers. If you have any questions about it please ask in the comments, and I will resolve your queries. So, let's get started with a basic Introduction to nRF52840.

Introduction to nRF52840

• nRF52840 is a  2.4 GHz wireless system on chip (SoC). It integrates a multi-protocol 2.4 GHz transceiver, an Arm Cortex-M4F CPU and flash memory.
• It is an advanced and highly flexible single-chip solution for increasing demand for ultra-low power (ULP) wireless applications.

• It is designed with features of Bluetooth 5 such as long-range, throughput and inherent industry-grade security which are essential for today's applications. nRF52840 adds best-in-class security for the Cortex TM-M Series with an on-chip ARM Crypto Cell cryptographic accelerator.
• nRF52840 follows the same software and hardware architecture which is followed by  nRF52 series (SoCs).
• Its core is an ARM Cortex M4F processor which solves quickly and more efficiently computation of complex functions for DSP, which requires floating point math.
• It has extensive memory available in both Ram and flesh, 256kB/1MB respectively. Combination of memory available and cortex M4F provides unparalleled capabilities for single-chip applications.
• The chip of nRF52840 consists of full speed (12Mbs) USB 2.0 controller and a large number of peripherals such as high-speed SPI (32 MHz) and quad SPI (32MHz) which allows direct interfacing to display and external memory sources.
• nRF52840 can operate from +5.5v to 1.7v supply voltage, which can also be provided from rechargeable batteries and USB supplies when there is no mains supply.
• nRF52840 is a Thread-certified module, which is ideal for home networking products using the thread mesh stack.
• Its radio supports 802.15.4 PHY and MAC layers making it perfect for additional stacks using 802.15.4 such as Zigbee.

Now, discuss nRF52840 pinout with a detailed description.

nRF52840 Pinout &Description

Detailed information about nRF52840 pinout is given below. Lets, discuss them.

Pin#	Type	Description
A8	P0.31	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
A10	P0.29	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
A12	P0.02	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
A14	P1.15	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
A16	P1.13	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
A18	DEC2	This pin is used for 1.3 V regulator supply decoupling (Radio supply).
A22	VDD	It is used for Power supply.
A23	XC2	It is a connection for 32 MHz crystal.
B1	VDD	It is for Power supply.
B3	DCC	It is DC/DC converter output.
B5	DEC4	It is 1.3 V regulator supply decoupling.
B7	VSS	Ground.
B9	P0.30	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
B11	P0.28	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
B13	P0.03	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
B15	P1.14	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
B17	P1.12	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
B19	P0.11	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
B24	XC1	It is a connection for 32 MHz crystal.
C1	DEC1	It is 1.1 V regulator supply decoupling.
D2	P0.00	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
D23	DEC3	This pin is used for Power supply and decoupling.
E24	DEC6	It is 1.3 V regulator supply decoupling (Radio supply).
F2	P0.01	It isa general purpose I/O pin.
F23	VSS_PA	Ground (Radio supply).
G1	P0.26	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
H2	P0.27	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
H23	ANT	It is a Single-ended radio antenna connection.
J1	P0.04	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
J24	P0.10	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
K2	P0.05	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
L1	P0.06	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
L24	P0.09	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
M2	P0.07	General purpose I/O pin
N1	P0.08	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
N24	DEC5	It is 1.3 V regulator supply decoupling (flash supply).
P2	P1.08	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
P23	P1.07	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
R1	P1.09	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
R24	P1.06	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
T2	P0.11	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
T23	P1.05	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
U1	P0.12	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
U24	P1.04	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
V23	P1.03	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
W1	VDD	It is a Power supply pin.
W24	P1.02	It is a general purpose I/O pin.
Y2	VDDH	This pin used for High voltage power supply.

For better understanding, Let's see nRF52840 pinout diagram.

Features of nRF52840

• Features of any electronic device can help us for a better understanding of the main functions associated with it. It will guide us on how we can select a relevant component for our projects. Following are some features of nRF52840.
• nRF52840 System-on-Chip consists of
  • ARM Cortex M4F processor which used for ultra-low power operations.
  • On this module, there are ports for Bluetooth 5, Bluetooth Mesh, Thread, ANT and 2.4 GHz proprietary.
  • On this chip, there is a USB 2.0 (Full speed) controller and 1 MB FLASH and 256 kB RAM.
• On this chip for Debugging, there is an option such as MSC, CDC, and HID.
• This module has external low power 64-Mb QSPI flash memory.
• This module has a user programmable button and an RGB LED.
• It also has onboard 2.4G chip antenna.
• It also consists of U.FL connector selectable for an external antenna.
• It has a 3.3V regulator with 1A peak current output.
• This module has reversible USB 3.1 Type-C Connector.
• It is Breadboard friendly with dual 18-Pin headers.
• Its dimensions are 1.97" x 0.9" x 0.51" (50mm x 23mm x 13mm) with headers soldered in.

Now, we discuss applications of nRF52840

Applications of nRF52840

• These are some applications of nRF52840.
  • It used in Smart Home products.
  • It used in Industrial mesh networks.
  • It also used in Smart city infrastructure.
  • It used in Advanced wearables.
  • It used in Connected watches.
  • It used in Advanced personal fitness devices.
  • It used in Virtual/Augmented Reality applications.
  • It also used in Interactive entertainment devices
  • It used in Advanced remote controls and Gaming controller.

So, friends that were all about nRF52840. If you have any question about it ask in comments, I will resolve your problems. Take care.

Introduction to ACS712

Hello friends, I hope you all are doing great. In today's tutorial, we are gonna have a look at detailed Introduction to ACS712. ACS712 is an AC or DC current sensor, which is used to measure AC or DC current. You should also have a look at Difference between AC & DC Power, that will help. The maximum value of AC and DC which can be measured is 30A, its output current signal can be read via analog I/O port of Arduino. It is also available in 5A and 20A version which provides precise and economical solutions for AC or DC current sensing in industrial and commercial systems. ACS712 consists of a precise and low offset linear Hall sensor circuit with a copper conduction path located near the surface of the die. ACS712  is used in different industrial projects and commercial electrical devices which includes motor control switched mode power supplies, load detection, and management and overcurrent fault protection. In today's post, we will have a look at its working, Arduino interfacing, applications, pinout, etc. I will also share some links where I have interfaced it with other microcontrollers. If you have any query ask in comments I will resolve your problems. So, let's get started with a basic Introduction to ACS712.

Introduction to ACS712

• ACS712 is a current sensor, which can detect AC or DC current easily. The maximum values of AC or DC which can be detected is 30A. Its operating voltage is 5v.
• ACS712 is available in small surface mount SOIC8 package. Its lead-frame is plated with 100% matte tin, which is compatible with standard lead-free printed circuit board assembly process.

• Its package allows easy implementation by the customer, its typical applications are motor control, load detection and overcurrent fault protection.
• It consists of a precise linear hall circuit with a copper conduction path located near the surface of the die. When applied current passes through this copper conduction path generates a magnetic field which is sensed by Hall integrated circuit (IC) and converted into a proportional voltage.
• An output of ACS712 has a positive slope (>V_{IOUT (Q)}) when increasing current passes through a primary copper conduction path (from pin 1 and 2, or pin 3 and 4), which is the path used for current sensing. The internal resistance of this conductive path is 1.2 mO. The thickness of the conductor provides survival for a device during the over-current condition.

Now, we discuss ACS712 pinout with a detailed description.

ACS712 Pinout & Description

• There is three main pinout of ACS712, which are described below with detail description.

Pin#	Type	Parameters
Pin#1	Vcc	This is an input supply pin. 5v is given on this pin.
Pin#2	Output	This is output analog voltage proportional to current.
Pin#3	Ground	This is used for ground.

• For better understanding let's see ACS712 pinout diagram.

• Now, we discuss ACS712 features.

Features of ACS712

• • These are the main features of ACS712.
    • It measures both DC and AC current.
    • Its operating voltage is 5v.
    • It is available in 5A, 20A and 30A module.
    • It provides isolation from the load.
    • It is easily integrated with MCU.
    • It provides a low noise analog signal path.
    • Its bandwidth is 50 kHz.
    • It is available in low profile SOIC8 package.
    • Its total error is 1.5% at TA = 25°C and 4% at –40°C to 85°C.
    • Its output sensitivity is 66 to 185 mV/A.
    • Its output voltage are proportional to AC or DC currents.
    • It has an extremely stable output offset voltage.
    • Its magnetic hysteresis is nearly zero.

ACS712 Arduino Interfacing

• It is very easy to interface ACS712 with a microcontroller, you should also have a look at ACS712 Arduino Interfacing for better understanding.
• In the given circuit diagram, the ACS712 module has two Phoenix terminal connectors with mounting screws as shown in the circuit diagram in green color. At these terminals, wires are connected.
• In our circuit diagram we are measuring current drawn by the motor, so the wires which are connected with motor is passed through the ACS712 module. Make sure ACS712 module is connected in series with the motor.
• On the other side of the module, we have three pins, Vcc is connected with +5V power supply and ground is connected to the ground of MCU.
• Analog voltage given by the ACS712 module can be read using an analog pin of Microcontroller.
• You can interface ACS712 with almost every microcontroller i.e. Arduino, PIC Microcontroller, 8051 etc.
• For a better understanding of this module, let's see the circuit diagram.

Applications of ACS712

• These are some applications of ACS712.
  • It is used for motor speed control.
  • It is used for load detection and management.
  • It is used as switched-mode power supplies.
  • It is used for over current fault protection.

So, that was all about ACS712, If you have any question regarding this module ask in comments, I will resolve your problems. Take care...