NRF24L01+PA+LNA Module does not work with Arduino

Projects Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

Hi everyone,
just to begin with: I know there are probably hundreds of threads about this problem. Still I cannot find the error in my build. I have now spent several days of trying to fix it and by now I dont see any other solution than asking about it again.
The Problem is, that the nrf24 module does not communicate with the arduino board. I keep getting false values returned when calling the radio.begin() function.

My components:

Wiring (using jumper cables and a bread board):
Adapter Arduino
CE PIN 8
CSN PIN 10
MISO PIN 12
MOSI PIN 11
SCK PIN 13

As requested a picture of the wiring:

Schematic
Schematic1282×394 206 KB

My Code:

#include <RF24.h>
#include <RF24_config.h>
#include <nRF24L01.h>
#include <printf.h>

// #include "Wire.h"

RF24 radio(8, 10); // CE, CSN

const byte address[6] = "1RF24"; // address/ identifier

void setup()  {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  while(!Serial){
    ;
  }
  delay(5000);
  if(!radio.begin()){
    Serial.println("Module not connected!");
    while(1){}
  }
  radio.openWritingPipe(address);
  radio.stopListening();  // set as transmitter
}

void loop() {
  const char text[] = "Hi Receiver"; // max 32 bytes
  radio.write(&text, sizeof(text));
  Serial.println("Message sent!");

  delay(2000);
}

In the end I wont get to know if the sending/ receiving works using only this code, but I wanted to get past the barrier of the arduino and the Module not communicating with each other. I put in some delay to give the Module some time to get working properly (I dont know, whether this is needed, but hey...)

Power supply:

  1. VCC of the NRF24 Adapter on 5V output of the Arduino Nano (powered by USB)
  2. NRF24 Adapter powered by 9V Block + Arduino Nano powered by USB
    I know the 9V Block is not the best choice but in this case I just tried to get a stable power supply to the Transceiver-Module, as I read, this could cause some problems otherwise.

The Adapters do have capacitors on them to help stable the power supply. As I read on the article`s amazon page, these capacitors are not soldered the right way. So I soldered them to ground.

My last thought is now, that the SPI settings are not correct for the NRF24 Modules, but as the NRF24 library is changing these settings itself and the fact, that I dont really know what the different modes do, I did not yet try anything on that matter.

I hope I got everything in here that you need to help me or at least give me a nudge in the right direction.
Thanks a million in advance guys :slight_smile:

2

Did you measure the voltages to see if they are correct?

3

Can we know what errors you get ?

4

Generally this eventually appears as a hardware problem. Your word description is far from telling what you have. Use the language of electronics and post an annotated schematic.

5

Sorry, forgot the important part:
The problem is the communication between the arduino board and the nrf24 module. The radio.begin() function returns "false" value all the time. (Update in the main text)

6

BUT! You only do that one time in setup(). If you see that more than once per execution, your Arduino is restarting.

7

Which, if any, is correct ?

8

All the time means with every start of the Arduino.

9

Sorry for that, I have tried so many things, I got a little confused with the pins.
It is wired PIN 8 and PIN 10, so Code and Wiring are matching.

10

The voltages of the 9V Block is at 8,72 V
The voltages measured on the Pins of the chip (after the adapter) is at 3,33 V (exactly as the adapter should work)

11

Do you have the GND of the external power source connected to the GND of the Arduino? You can also try connecting the the RF24 adapter to the 5v rail of the Nano, that should handle the radio just fine.

Other than this the problem you describe is generally due to either wiring or hardware issues. There are no other ways about it, so I would double and triple check the wiring, then look at other hardware.

12

Hi thank you for your answer.
I just tried to connect the RF24 to the 5V of the arduino (completly without the external power source). Somehow it now works (at least I get past the initial loop and the chip is communicating.
I down't know why it works now, because I had that setup like this before. I will investigate that matter further and will let you know if this is the solution :slight_smile:
Thank you so much again!

13

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