Reference circuitry

To ensure good RF performance when designing PCBs, it is highly recommended to use the PCB layouts and component values provided by Nordic Semiconductor.

Documentation for the different package reference circuits, including Altium Designer files, PCB layout files, and PCB production files can be downloaded from the product page for the nRF52811 on www.nordicsemi.com.

Schematic QFAA QFN48 with internal LDO regulator setup

In addition to the schematic, the bill of material (BOM) is also provided.

Figure 1. QFAA QFN48 with internal LDO regulator setup

Note: For PCB reference layouts, see the product page for the nRF52811 on www.nordicsemi.com.
Table 1. Bill of material for QFAA QFN48 with internal LDO regulator setup
DesignatorValueDescriptionFootprint
C1, C2, C11, C1212 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±2%0402
C30.8 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±5%0402
C4, C5, C8100 nFCapacitor, X7R, ±10%0402
C6N.C.Not mounted0402
C7100 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±5%0402
C94.7 µFCapacitor, X5R, ±10%0603
C101.0 µFCapacitor, X7R, ±10%0603
L13.9 nHHigh frequency chip inductor ±5%0402
U1nRF52811-QFAAMultiprotocol Bluetooth® low energy, ANT, and 2.4 GHz proprietary System on ChipQFN-48
X132 MHzXTAL SMD 2016, 32 MHz, Cl = 8 pF, Total Tol: ±40 ppmXTAL_2016
X232.768 kHzXTAL SMD 3215, 32.768 kHz, Cl = 9 pF, Total Tol: ±20 ppmXTAL_3215

Schematic QFAA QFN48 with DC/DC regulator setup

In addition to the schematic, the bill of material (BOM) is also provided.

Figure 2. QFAA QFN48 with DC/DC regulator setup

Note: For PCB reference layouts, see the product page for the nRF52811 on www.nordicsemi.com.
Table 2. Bill of material for QFAA QFN48 with DC/DC regulator setup
DesignatorValueDescriptionFootprint
C1, C2, C11, C1212 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±2%0402
C30.8 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±5%0402
C4, C5, C8100 nFCapacitor, X7R, ±10%0402
C6N.C.Not mounted0402
C7100 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±5%0402
C94.7 µFCapacitor, X5R, ±10%0603
C101.0 µFCapacitor, X7R, ±10%0603
L13.9 nHHigh frequency chip inductor ±5%0402
L210 µHChip inductor, IDC,min = 50 mA, ±20%0603
L315 nHHigh frequency chip inductor ±10%0402
U1nRF52811-QFAAMultiprotocol Bluetooth® low energy, ANT, and 2.4 GHz proprietary System on ChipQFN-48
X132 MHzXTAL SMD 2016, 32 MHz, Cl = 8 pF, Total Tol: ±40 ppmXTAL_2016
X232.768 kHzXTAL SMD 3215, 32.768 kHz, Cl = 9 pF, Total Tol: ±20 ppmXTAL_3215

Schematic QCAA QFN32 with internal LDO regulator setup

In addition to the schematic, the bill of material (BOM) is also provided.

Figure 3. QCAA QFN32 with internal LDO regulator setup

Note: For PCB reference layouts, see the product page for the nRF52811 on www.nordicsemi.com.
Table 3. Bill of material for QCAA QFN32 with internal LDO regulator setup
DesignatorValueDescriptionFootprint
C1, C2, C11, C1212 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±2%0402
C30.8 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±5%0402
C4, C5, C8100 nFCapacitor, X7R, ±10%0402
C6N.C.Not mounted0402
C7100 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±5%0402
C94.7 µFCapacitor, X5R, ±10%0603
C101.0 µFCapacitor, X7R, ±10%0603
L13.9 nHHigh frequency chip inductor ±5%0402
U1nRF52811-QCAAMultiprotocol Bluetooth® low energy, ANT, and 2.4 GHz proprietary System on ChipQFN-32
X132 MHzXTAL SMD 2016, 32 MHz, Cl = 8 pF, Total Tol: ±40 ppmXTAL_2016
X232.768 kHzXTAL SMD 3215, 32.768 kHz, Cl = 9 pF, Total Tol: ±20 ppmXTAL_3215

Schematic QCAA QFN32 with DC/DC regulator setup

In addition to the schematic, the bill of material (BOM) is also provided.

Figure 4. QCAA QFN32 with DC/DC regulator setup

Note: For PCB reference layouts, see the product page for the nRF52811 on www.nordicsemi.com.
Table 4. Bill of material for QCAA QFN32 with DC/DC regulator setup
DesignatorValueDescriptionFootprint
C1, C2, C11, C1212 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±2%0402
C30.8 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±5%0402
C4, C5, C8100 nFCapacitor, X7R, ±10%0402
C6N.C.Not mounted0402
C7100 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±5%0402
C94.7 µFCapacitor, X5R, ±10%0603
C101.0 µFCapacitor, X7R, ±10%0603
L13.9 nHHigh frequency chip inductor ±5%0402
L210 µHChip inductor, IDC,min = 50 mA, ±20%0603
L315 nHHigh frequency chip inductor ±10%0402
U1nRF52811-QCAAMultiprotocol Bluetooth® low energy, ANT, and 2.4 GHz proprietary System on ChipQFN-32
X132 MHzXTAL SMD 2016, 32 MHz, Cl = 8 pF, Total Tol: ±40 ppmXTAL_2016
X232.768 kHzXTAL SMD 3215, 32.768 kHz, Cl = 9 pF, Total Tol: ±20 ppmXTAL_3215

Schematic CAAA WLCSP with internal LDO regulator setup

In addition to the schematic, the bill of material (BOM) is also provided.

Figure 5. CAAA WLCSP with internal LDO regulator setup

Note: For PCB reference layouts, see the product page for the nRF52811 on www.nordicsemi.com.
Table 5. Bill of material for CAAA WLCSP with internal LDO regulator setup
DesignatorValueDescriptionFootprint
C1, C2, C9, C1012 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±2 %0201
C31.2 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±5 %0201
C4, C5100 nFCapacitor, X5R, ±10 %0201
C6100 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±2 %0201
C74.7 µFCapacitor, X5R, ±10 %0603
C81.0 µFCapacitor, X5R, ±5 %0402
L12.2 nHHigh frequency chip inductor ±5 %0201
L23.3 nHHigh frequency chip inductor ±5 %0201
U1nRF52811-CAAAMultiprotocol Bluetooth® low energy, ANT, and 2.4 GHz proprietary System on ChipWLCSP-33
X132 MHzXTAL SMD 2016, 32 MHz, Cl = 8 pF, Total Tol: ±40 ppmXTAL_2016
X232.768 kHzXTAL SMD 2012, 32.768 kHz, Cl = 9 pF, Total Tol: ±50 ppmXTAL_2012

Schematic CAAA WLCSP with DC/DC regulator setup

In addition to the schematic, the bill of material (BOM) is also provided.

Figure 6. CAAA WLCSP with DC/DC regulator setup

Note: For PCB reference layouts, see the product page for the nRF52811 on www.nordicsemi.com.
Table 6. Bill of material for CAAA WLCSP with DC/DC regulator setup
DesignatorValueDescriptionFootprint
C1, C2, C9, C1012 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±2 %0201
C31.2 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±5 %0201
C4, C5100 nFCapacitor, X5R, ±10 %0201
C6100 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±2 %0201
C74.7 µFCapacitor, X5R, ±10 %0603
C81.0 µFCapacitor, X5R, ±5 %0402
L12.2 nHHigh frequency chip inductor ±5 %0201
L23.3 nHHigh frequency chip inductor ±5 %0201
L310 µHChip inductor, IDC,min = 50 mA, ±20 %0603
L415 nHHigh frequency chip inductor ±10 %0402
U1nRF52811-CAAAMultiprotocol Bluetooth® low energy, ANT, and 2.4 GHz proprietary System on ChipWLCSP-33
X132 MHzXTAL SMD 2016, 32 MHz, Cl = 8 pF, Total Tol: ±40 ppmXTAL_2016
X232.768 kHzXTAL SMD 2012, 32.768 kHz, Cl = 9 pF, Total Tol: ±50 ppmXTAL_2012

Schematic CAAA WLCSP with two layers

In addition to the schematic, the bill of material (BOM) is also provided.

Figure 7. CAAA WLCSP 2-layer setup

Note: For PCB reference layouts, see the product page for the nRF52811 on www.nordicsemi.com.
Table 7. Bill of material for CAAA WLCSP 2-layer setup
DesignatorValueDescriptionFootprint
C1, C212 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±2 %0201
C31.2 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±5 %0201
C4, C5100 nFCapacitor, X5R, ±10 %0201
C6100 pFCapacitor, NP0, ±2 %0201
C74.7 µFCapacitor, X5R, ±10 %0603
C81.0 µFCapacitor, X5R, ±5 %0402
L12.2 nHHigh frequency chip inductor ±5 %0201
L23.3 nHHigh frequency chip inductor ±5 %0201
L310 µHChip inductor, IDC,min = 50 mA, ±20 %0603
L415 nHHigh frequency chip inductor ±10 %0402
U1nRF52811-CAAAMultiprotocol Bluetooth® low energy, ANT, and 2.4 GHz proprietary System on ChipWLCSP-33
X132 MHzXTAL SMD 2016, 32 MHz, Cl = 8 pF, Total Tol: ±40 ppmXTAL_2016

PCB guidelines

A well designed PCB is necessary to achieve good RF performance. Poor layout can lead to loss in performance or functionality.

A qualified RF layout for the IC and its surrounding components, including matching networks, can be downloaded from www.nordicsemi.com.

To ensure optimal performance it is essential that you follow the schematics and layout references closely. Especially in the case of the antenna matching circuitry (components between device pin ANT and the antenna), any changes to the layout can change the behavior, resulting in degradation of RF performance or a need to change component values. All reference circuits are designed for use with a 50 Ω single-ended antenna.

A PCB with a minimum of two layers, including a ground plane, is recommended for optimal performance. On PCBs with more than two layers, put a keep-out area on the inner layers directly below the antenna matching circuitry (components between device pin ANT and the antenna) to reduce the stray capacitances that influence RF performance.

A matching network is needed between the RF pin ANT and the antenna, to match the antenna impedance (normally 50 Ω) to the optimum RF load impedance for the chip. For optimum performance, the impedance for the matching network should be set as described in the recommended package reference circuitry in Reference circuitry.

The DC supply voltage should be decoupled as close as possible to the VDD pins with high performance RF capacitors. See the schematics for recommended decoupling capacitor values. The supply voltage for the chip should be filtered and routed separately from the supply voltages of any digital circuitry.

Long power supply lines on the PCB should be avoided. All device grounds, VDD connections, and VDD bypass capacitors must be connected as close as possible to the IC. For a PCB with a topside RF ground plane, the VSS pins should be connected directly to the ground plane. For a PCB with a bottom ground plane, the best technique is to have via holes as close as possible to the VSS pads. A minimum of one via hole should be used for each VSS pin.

Fast switching digital signals should not be routed close to the crystal or the power supply lines. Capacitive loading of fast switching digital output lines should be minimized in order to avoid radio interference.

PCB layout example

The PCB layout shown in the following figures is a reference layout for the QFN48 package with internal LDO setup.

Important: Pay attention to how the capacitor C3 is grounded. It is not directly connected to the ground plane, but grounded via VSS pin 31. This is done to create additional filtering of harmonic components.

For all available reference layouts, see the product page for the nRF52811 on www.nordicsemi.com.

Figure 8. Top silk layer
Layout/image: Top silk layer

Figure 9. Top layer
Layout/image: Top layer

Figure 10. Bottom layer
Layout/image: Bottom layer

Important: No components in bottom layer.

PMIC support

The nRF52 Series is comprehensively supported by Nordic Semiconductor's own range of PMICs (Power Management Integrated Circuits). These PMICs are meticulously designed to enhance the performance and efficiency of the nRF52 Series devices. This integration ensures the longest battery life and the highest reliability for the end application. The synergy between the nRF52 Series and the Nordic PMICs highlights Nordic Semiconductor's commitment to providing a complete and cohesive solution for their customers' needs in wireless technology applications.