Navigating RF Certification: A Guide to DTM and Radio Testing

 RF Test – DTM & Radio Test

When launching new products, there is a requirement for RF testing, and two methods are commonly used:

DTM (Direct Test Mode) and Radio Test.

Nordic's SDK provides two RF testing programs: DTM (Direct Test Mode) and Radio Test. While both methods can test RF indicators, they have some distinctions. DTM follows the Bluetooth specification's Direct Test Mode data format (referenced in Bluetooth Core Specification Version 5.2, Vol. 6, Part F.), primarily for Bluetooth certification tests.

On the other hand, Radio Test focuses on the chip's radio indicators, making it more suitable for FCC and ETSI certifications.

Let's delve into detailed explanations for DTM and Radio Test programs.

DTM(Direct Test Mode)

The Bluetooth Association offers a feature for testing RF characteristics. Nordic has incorporated DTM firmware into the SDK according to SIG standard documents. Customers only need to modify the Baud Rate and UART TX/RX pins to conduct RF tests.

1. Download and install nRF Connect for desktop software and nRF5 SDK from the Nordic website.

nRF Connect for desktop download:

https://www.nordicsemi.com/Software-and-tools/Development-Tools/nRF-Connect-for-desktop/Download

nRF5 SDK download:

https://www.nordicsemi.com/Software-and-tools/Software/nRF5-SDK/Download#infotabs

2. Install the Direct Test Mode program in the nRF Connect for desktop software.

3. Extract the SDK package, open the DTM example code from

nRF5_SDK_vxx\examples\dtm\direct_test_mode\ board number\blank, modify TX and RX pins based on the target board's definitions, then compile.

Download the program to the target board connected to the PC.
(Select the appropriate sample code based on the IC/module for testing, referring to the  board number below. )

IC P/N	board number
NRF52832	pca10040
NRF52810	pca10040e
NRF52840	pca10056
NRF52811	pca10056e
NRF52833	pca10100
NRF52820	pca10100e

RF testing is performed using UART TX/RX commands.
The SDK program defaults to certain positions, but users can modify these two pin positions according to their product design without changing the Baud Rate setting.

UART Pin	nRF51	nRF52
TXD	P0.09	P0.06
RXD	P0.11	P0.08

4. Use nRFConnect DTM for testing by adjusting UART TX/RX pins.

Please refer to Video tutorial from link below:
https://github.com/NordicSemiconductor/pc-nrfconnect-dtm/blob/master/resources/screenshot.gif

Radio Test

Nordic provides a tool for simpler RF testing, allowing the configuration of radio-related data such as TX power, frequency, TX carrier, and TX modulation carrier through a Command List. It doesn't include testing for RX sensitivity; if needed, users must either write a program for this test or use DTM for testing.

1. Open from nRF5_SDK_vxx\examples\peripheral\radio_test\board number\blank
(Based on the IC/module for testing, referring to the board number below.)

IC P/N	board number
NRF52832	pca10040
NRF52810	pca10040e
NRF52840	pca10056
NRF52811	pca10056e
NRF52833	pca10100
NRF52820	pca10100e

2. This test also utilizes a Command-based approach to send instructions for different parameter tests. Compared to DTM, Radio Test is more flexible, offering a wider range of RF parameters to test.
The connection method between the target board and PC, serial port modifications, and the approach with DTM are identical.

3. Use the command-Line interface (CLI) through the serial port to control and test the output power, bitrate, and channel settings of the radio parameters during testing.

Additionally, configure the CLI to enable the 32 MHz high-frequency crystal oscillator.

The application allows setting scanning mode with intervals ranging from 1 millisecond to 99 milliseconds (per 1 millisecond) for each channel.

4. Refer to the Nordic CLI commands documentation for the command testing method.

https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.nordic.infocenter.sdk5.v15.2.0%2Fnrf_radio_test_example.html&cp=4_0_0_4_5_29_0&anchor=nrf_radio_test_example_commands

5.Testing

Lastly, we can utilize Spectrum to test PCBA RF characteristics.

Edited by Sales Manager: Ms. Vicky Huang
Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子有限公司
A BT5.2 & BT5.1 & BT5 module maker based on Nordic nRF53 & nRF52 solution
(nRF5340 & nRF52840 & nRF52833 & nRF52832 & nRF52820 & nRF52811 & nRF528

Nordic Solution nRF52832 Module (P/N: MDBT42V) FCC/IC/CE/Telec Certificate Granted

Raytac is proceeding the EE policy, refer to Easy Employ, which aims to provide customers an easy and friendly developing environment and time to market efficiency.

The critical factors to assist customers dramtically, not surprised, is the certificate of Bluetooth specification and Regional safety regulation compliance. Not only because of the cost, but also the knowledge and time consuming.

Nordic Semiconductor-powered Bluetooth low energy modules ease design of Bluetooth 5 wireless solutions for space-constrained IoT applications / Product Related News / News releases / News / Home - Ultra Low Power Wireless Solutions from NORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR

Bluetooth Specification: BT5, A Nordic nRF52832 Module by Raytac Corporation.

Module Part No.: MDBT42V-512K (Chip Antenna Version) / MDBT42V-P512K (Printed PCB Antenna Version)



Nordic Semiconductor-powered Bluetooth low energy modules ease design of Bluetooth 5 wireless solutions for space-constrained IoT applications / Product Related News / News releases / News / Home - Ultra Low Power Wireless Solutions from NORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR

Revolution & Powerful nRF51 IoT SDK Released By Nordic

Raytac Corporation
A BT4.1 module maker based on Nordic nRF51 solution (nRF51822 & nRF51422)
www.raytac.com
Tel: +886.2.3234.0208
email: service@raytac.com


Nordic released IoT SDK for nRF51. 
(Raytac Module Part No. MDBT40 / MDBT40-P/MDBT40nano)

With the revolution moving forward of the SDK development, the last mile of IoT solution have been well completed.

Only applied Nordic IoT SDK, remain the same module applied, the module will not only connect to BLE only but only connect to WiFi through IPv6.

This may be a powerful and convenient tool for coming soar IoT markets and applications.


Quoted from Nordic: https://www.nordicsemi.com/eng/Products/Bluetooth-Smart-Bluetooth-low-energy/nRF51-IoT-SDK
This SDK is a IPv6 capable Bluetooth® Smart software stack that provides drivers, libraries, examples, and APIs for nRF51 Series devices. It includes an IPv6 over Bluetooth Smart adaptation layer (6LoWPAN) and a complete Internet Protocol Suite including IPv6, ICMP, UDP, TCP, CoAP and MQTT. It brings native IPv6 support to Bluetooth Smart applications, letting them talk directly to cloud services and other connected ‘things’ over IP-based networks.The SDK includes examples that configure the nRF51 device as a Bluetooth Smart 6LoWPAN node and that interface with the IP layers at transport level ( UDP,TCP) and application level (CoAP and MQTT). Use of Raspberry Pi as a Bluetooth Smart router is described in the documentation.This SDK supports the Internet Protocol Support Profile (IPSP). The IPSP is in the process of being adopted by Bluetooth SIG.

Features

6LoWPAN and IPSP library:

• 6LoWPAN compression/decompression
• 6LoWPAN node role
• Packet flow control
• IPv6 prefix management
• Can use a third-party IPv6 stack

IPv6 stack:

• Support for multiple IPv6 addresses
• ICMPv6 module
• UDP socket APIs

CoAP library:

• CoAP CON, NON, ACK, and RESET message types
• Token matching on responses to a local client generated request
• Endpoint creation as resources
• Automatic lookup of requested endpoint on remote request
• Endpoint resource function callback
• Endpoint permission setting

    

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Raytac Corporation
A BT4.1 module maker based on Nordic nRF51 solution (nRF51822 & nRF51422)
www.raytac.com
Tel: +886.2.3234.0208
email: sales@raytac.com

Raytac BT4.0 Tiny Module Shipment Started

Raytac Corporation
A BT4.0 module maker based on Nordic nRF51 solution (nRF51822 & nRF51422)
www.raytac.com
Tel: +886.2.3234.0208
email: service@raytac.com

2018/12/1 Information Updated

1.Raytac MDBT40 Series Module (Nordic nRF51 Solution) BT4.2 Certification Granted

2. Bluetooth SIG Announces Deprecation and Withdraw of Legacy Bluetooth Core Spec Version

MDBT40nano is a BLE module build up based on Nordic nRF51 series WLCSP package IC.
This module is designed be an idea part to fit into any wearing device or device with limited mechannical space.
Surely, the attractive point not only just it is small but also a distinctive RF transmission performance and 20 IO available.
     
After several times discreet studying and trial productions, Raytac now is pleased to announce that MDBT40nano is ready for shipment!

The module size 8.0 x 8.6mm is the best pal of wearing device development.

MDBT40nano
Solution: 
nRF51822: BT4.0 + 2.4GHz RF  (WLCSP Package)
nRF51422: BT4.0 + ANT+  (WLCSP Package)


ARM Cortex: M0 32 bit processor

Memory: 256kb
IO: 20

                                      Size Compared with CR2032 Battery

The best and smallest BT4.0 Solution for Wearing Smart Device

Raytac Corporation
A BT4.0 module maker based on Nordic nRF51822 & nRF51422 solution
www.raytac.com
Tel: +886.2.3234.0208

Wearing device such as band, bracelet which designed aimed to bring people a lighter, thinner information provider smart device.
Thus, the electronic components size become critical and essential.
Raytac recently released a module, named as MDBT40nano, based on Nordic nRF51822 with 8mm x 8.6mm, which can fit to most wearing devices.
Raytac is suggesting the design and application of MDBT40nano is based on antenna printed on FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit). Thus, customer can not only enjoy the module size benefit but also antenna efficiency.