im going to make a rc plane, budget is limited and i dont wanna spend a high money on regulators, i was thinking using arduino nano's 3V3 and 47/100uf capacitor but still it will be unstable, i dont wanna buy an expensive regulator nor a cheap non-reliable one. what should i do
Put the project on hold. What You tell will not work out.
huh wym?
why its not gonna work oh and theres just 1 regulator for 12.6V to 5V for battery/arduino.
but i dont wanna use seperate regulators for just nrf24 module
Sorry, I made a mistake, thinking wrong. Drivers are needed for motors but not for an nrfl01.
Please draw schematics and post.
dude im just asking, is capacitor good or i should buy cheap regulator?
It depends on the surrounding stuff.
The external regulator will make it work, the nrf devices are very sensitive to power abnormalities.
Power Stability Issues with RF24 Radio Modules
As described in the RF24 Common Issues Guide, radio modules, especially the PA+LNA versions, are highly reliant on a stable power source. The 3.3V output from Arduino is not stable enough for these modules in many applications. While they may work with an inadequate power supply, you may experience lost packets or reduced reception compared to modules powered by a more stable source. The Nano/UNO 5V is also a problem, it has problems supplying enough current during transmit.
Symptoms of Power Issues:
- Radio module performance may improve when touched, indicating power stability issues.
- These issues are often caused by the absence of a capacitor, a common cost-saving omission by some manufacturers.
Temporary Patch:
- Add Capacitors: Place capacitors close to the VCC and GND pins of the radio module. A 10uF capacitor is usually sufficient, but the exact value can depend on your circuit layout.
- Use Low ESR Capacitors: Capacitors with low Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) are recommended, as they provide better power stability and performance.
1. Be sure the transmitter and receiver are at least a meter apart, more is better.
Adding the appropriate capacitors can greatly improve the reliability of your RF24 module by ensuring a stable power supply, thus minimizing packet loss and enhancing overall performance. A separate power supply for the radios is the best solution.
so whats your recomendation?, what uf capacitor
That is my recommendation.
The classic Nano can only provide about 30mA from it's 3.3volt pin,
but that is enough for the basic low power NRF24L01 (13.5mA max).
A 47uF (10-100) electrolytic cap across the NRF supply is recommended for stability and noise reduction.
Leo..
During TX (3.3V supply), worst case depends on which module you have:
1. Plain nRF24L01+ module (no PA/LNA, small PCB antenna)TTTX current (0 dBm, max power): Ttypically about 11-12 mA Lower power levels are less (roughly 7-9 mA typical depending on setting)
Rule of thumb: budget 15 mA for the radio itself.
2. "nRF24L01+ PA+LNA" long-range module (with external power amp, often SMA antenna)
TX current at max PA level: typically about 115-130 mA
• Can see peaks higher; safe budget is 150-200 mA available at 3.3V
Power note (this is what usually bites people):
• Put a local cap at the module: 0.1 uF + 10 to 47 uF right at VCC/GND.
• For PA+LNA, do NOT rely on a weak 3.3V pin; use a real regulator.