M6E Nano Board Powers Off while running Code or URA

I am running the Universal Reader Assistant so I can read tags on my sparkfun UHD RFID board. The issue is while It is running the board powers off mid process and powers back on, causing it to lose connection and reset causing no tags to be read or only very few of what is there. Is there a hardware issue or software issue, and how would I go about resolving it. Keep in mind that I did not face this issue before, and was able to read all the tags in range.

The M6E provides the 3V3 power from the external 3.7 - 5V power.

Is the M6E chip on the board hot? It will switch off automatically when too hot & power-on again when cooled down.

What is the read power you use ? Try to use lower see what happens

If powered from a different source:

  • is that strong enough from a power/ WATT perspective?

  • is the voltage not higher than 5V?

  • did you cut JP1 to disconnect external power from VCC from the USB/Serial

If powered from the USB/Serial adaptor :

  • Is the reader powered with the USB/Serial adaptor set to 5V VCC output (many are by default set to 3v3)

  • try another PC /USB port

  • it could still be a cable gone bad

It is powered with 5V on USB adaptor, we have tried all the options with the USB/Serial adaptor suggested. The data reads every once in a while and gives these errors below after.

how much is the read power dB set for the M6E in the URA?

I believe I have set it anywhere between 5dBm and 27dBm before and it received data. But the Mercury API currently being used automatically sets the power, and I cannot see where to manually change it.

With the Mercury API you can set the power. See samples/read.c with the --pow option.

On USB and with URA… 5dB is the maximum you should try. Else apply external LIPO or external power supply to the board. That is what I do to get a stable reading. Also be aware with 27dB… the M6E chip gets HOT very quickly and will stop until it is cooled down. You will need to add a good cooling block (and maybe fan)