very poor range using nrf24L01+ w/chip antenna

Wireless & IoT
1

I am using 2 of the nrf24L01+ boards with the chip antenna for my system. Datarate is 1MB/sec. Transmitter side is running at 3.3V and receiver side at 5V. I have been careful with my layout so I think everything is good there. The problem is that I am only getting about 15 feet of range even with nothing in between the pair. Is 3.3V too low for one of these? The SFE page says it can handle and input Vdd as low as 3.3V but maybe that is pushing it? Anyone have any ideas?

2

phoenix123:
I am using 2 of the nrf24L01+ boards with the chip antenna for my system. I have been careful with my layout so I think everything is good there.

You did your own RF PC board?

If so, please describe. Did you use exactly a reference design? Same PCB material type? Copper thickness, etc?

3

I designed my own main board, but am using the sparkfun module with the chip antenna. I don’t know what reference design(s) you are referring to.

4

Those ceramic antennas are fairly directional - try orienting the units for maximum received signal strength. They aren’t very efficient, anyway; 1/4 wave antennas with ground planes will give you a lot more range and are omni-directional.

Leon

5

The nRF24l01 is a low power transceiver (0dBm). You need a 2.4GHz amplifier and a good antenna.

I have two nordics with two 10cm omnidirectional antennas and the range is about 30m (100ft) @ 1Mbps/0dBm.

6

SuperTux:
The nRF24l01 is a low power transceiver (0dBm). You need a 2.4GHz amplifier and a good antenna.

I have two nordics with two 10cm omnidirectional antennas and the range is about 30m (100ft) @ 1Mbps/0dBm.

1mWatt (0dBm) with chip antennas, properly oriented, should yield 100-300 ft line of sight range, i.e., amplifier not needed. If non-line-of-sight, things are quite different.