Can I use a less powerful NRF24L01 for the receiver side?

Projects Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

Hi
I've built my first 4 channel radio control using two powerful NRF24L01 clones
I've seen people get really good ranges with the 100mw clone, this one is 500mw, haven't tested the range just yet but it feels so powerful cause my 1A voltage regulator supplying the module gets so hot that made me place an order for a 5A voltage regulator, I've used two of the same modules for the transmitter and receiver
I'm starting to think using such a powerful modules for the receiver side is a bit of an overkill, like I'm wasting the module which can be used in another good transmitter project, is it right? I've disabled auto ack so the receiver is just a receiver, I don't need it to send data back, do you think replacing the NRF24L01 on the receiver circuit with a less powerful module, probably one of those with a pcb antenna will do any harm? I need your experience with this, if not, I'm just gonna test it out and see where it goes

2

Do you have a link to these modules?

3

You are probably correct.

But I think it's best to optimise the antenna used before you upgrade to more powerful transmitters.

Higher gain antenna, perhaps even directional antenna, can have an even larger effect than high power transmitters.

Having clear line of sight, wherever possible, is hugely important.

4

Sure
Here is a list of all their nrf24 clones https://www.cdebyte.com/products/E34-2G4H27D/7

And this is the one I'm using

5

I'm using a 3dbi antenna cause this is going to be used in an rc model and rc models don't always stay upright or in the same direction to that of the antenna on the transmitter, what do you think the balance between long range and none directional could be? Should I go for 5dbi? 8?

6

Probably not.

Antennas can't break the laws of physics. They make, or receive, the signal stronger in some directions at the expense of others. If the receiver can be in any direction, height and orientation to the transmitter, then you ideally need to use omnidirectional antenna, which have equal gain in all directions. Using a high gain antenna will mean it has weak areas/directions which could result in a catastrophic loss of signal.

7

I understand, thanks for the reply, so what do you suggest is a high dbi antenna for my project? Is 4dbi or 5dbi high?

8

Thanks for the new tips, but I think my main question was whether using a lower power NRF24L01 like those designed for 100m of range with a pcb antenna for the receiver will reduce range to a great extent

9

Hi, @beginner099

I think you have misunderstood how the NRF transceivers work.
When a packet of data is sent from one unit to another, the receiving unit then transmits back to the sender.

So making one unit's transmit power less than the other will mean you are shortening the possible overall range to the range of the lower power.

https://www.phippselectronics.com/sending-and-receiving-data-with-the-nrf24l01-wireless-radio-transceiver-module/?srsltid=AfmBOor8C2qD5EfyY2ecNU3Jr4NCUrndZic6J7Qj1BUlXHW1r0NdqnPD

Tom.. :smiley: :+1: :coffee: :australia:

10

Thank you Tom
I think that is a point of disabling auto ack, isn't it? To make it a one-way communication, I could be wrong tho

11

No, no harm and you could also use one of the modules with a wip type antenna
However why bother, are you trying to save money?

1 Like
12

Both money and space, these modules are pretty expensive where I live cause they're imported, rare, and my country's currency is cheap

13

Thanks...

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