RADIO Electrical specification

General radio characteristics


Symbol	Description	Min.	Typ.	Max.	Units
f_OP	Operating frequencies	2400		2500	MHz
f_CH,SP	Channel spacing		1.0		MHz
f_DELTA,1M	Frequency deviation @ 1 Mbps		±160		kHz
f_DELTA,BLE,1M	Frequency deviation @ Bluetooth LE 1 Mbps		±250		kHz
f_DELTA,2M	Frequency deviation @ 2 Mbps		±320		kHz
f_DELTA,BLE,2M	Frequency deviation @ Bluetooth LE 2 Mbps		±500		kHz
f_DELTA,4M	Frequency deviation @ 4 Mbps		±1000		kHz
fsk_BPS	On-the-air data rate	125		4000	kbps
f_{chip, IEEE 802.15.4}	Chip rate in IEEE 802.15.4 mode		2000		kchip/s

Radio current consumption (transmitter)


Symbol	Description	Typ.	Units
I_{TX,MaxdBm,QFN}	TX only run current for QFN package, P_RF at maximum power setting	9.1	mA
I_{TX,MaxdBm,CSP}	TX only run current for CSP package, P_RF at maximum power setting	9.7	mA
I_TX,0dBM	TX only run current, P_RF = 0 dBm	3.7	mA
I_TX,MINUS4dBM	TX only run current P_RF = -4 dBm	2.8	mA
I_TX,MINUS8dBM	TX only run current P_RF = -8 dBm	2.2	mA
I_{TX,MINUS12dBM}	TX only run current P_RF = -12 dBm	1.9	mA
I_{TX,MINUS16dBM}	TX only run current P_RF = -16 dBm	1.7	mA
I_{TX,MINUS40dBM}	TX only run current P_RF = -40 dBm	1.2	mA
I_START,TX	TX start-up current, P_RF = 4 dBm	..	mA

Radio current consumption (Receiver)


Symbol	Description	Typ.	Units
I_RX,1M	RX only run current, 1 Mbps/1 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode	2.1	mA
I_RX,2M	RX only run current, 2 Mbps/2 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode	2.1	mA
I_START,RX,1M	RX start-up current, 1 Mbps/1 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode	1.6	mA

Transmitter specification


Symbol	Description	Min.	Typ.	Max.	Units
P_RF,QFN	Maximum output power for QFN package		7		dBm
P_RF,CSP	Maximum output power for CSP package		8		dBm
P_RFCR	RF power accuracy	-2		2	dB
P_{RF1,BLE1M,2MHZ}	Adjacent Channel Transmit Power 2 MHz (1 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode)		-48		dBc
P_{RF1,BLE1M,3MHZ}	Adjacent Channel Transmit Power 3 MHz (1 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode)		-54		dBc
P_{RF1,BLE2M,4MHZ}	Adjacent Channel Transmit Power 4 MHz (2 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode)		-51		dBc
P_{RF1,BLE2M,6MHZ}	Adjacent Channel Transmit Power 6 MHz (2 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode)		-56		dBc
E_vm	Error vector magnitude in IEEE 802.15.4 mode		2		%rms
P_{harm2nd, IEEE 802.15.4}	2nd harmonics in IEEE 802.15.4 mode		-63		dBm
P_{harm3rd, IEEE 802.15.4}	3rd harmonics in IEEE 802.15.4 mode		-68		dBm

Figure 1. Output power, 1 Mbps Bluetooth low energy mode, at maximum TXPOWER setting (typical values)

Figure 2. Output power, 1 Mbps Bluetooth low energy mode, at 0 dBm setting (typical values)

Receiver operation


Symbol	Description	Typ.	Units
P_RX,MAX	Maximum received signal strength at < 0.1% PER	0	dBm
P_SENS,IT,1M	Sensitivity, 1 Mbps nRF mode ideal transmitter ^¹	-93	dBm
P_SENS,IT,2M	Sensitivity, 2 Mbps nRF mode ideal transmitter ^¹	-90	dBm
P_SENS,IT,4M	Sensitivity, 4 Mbps nRF mode ideal transmitter ^¹	-90	dBm
P_{SENS,IT,SP,1M,BLE}	Sensitivity, 1 Mbps Bluetooth LE ideal transmitter, packet length ≤ 37 bytes BER = 1E-3²	-96^³	dBm
P_{SENS,IT,LP,1M,BLE}	Sensitivity, 1 Mbps Bluetooth LE ideal transmitter, packet length ≥ 128 bytes BER = 1E-4	-95	dBm
P_{SENS,IT,SP,2M,BLE}	Sensitivity, 2 Mbps Bluetooth LE ideal transmitter, packet length ≤ 37 bytes	-94	dBm
P_{SENS,IT,BLE LE125k}	Sensitivity, 125 kbps Bluetooth LE mode	-104	dBm
P_{SENS,IT,BLE LE500k}	Sensitivity, 500 kbps Bluetooth LE mode	-99	dBm
P_{SENS,IEEE 802.15.4}	Sensitivity in IEEE 802.15.4 mode	-102	dBm

Figure 1. Sensitivity, 1 Mbps Bluetooth LE ideal transmitter, packet length ≤ 37 bytes BER = 1E-3 (typical values)

¹ Typical sensitivity applies when RXADDRESS.ADDR0 is used for receiver address. When RXADDRESS.ADDR[1...7] are used for receiver address, the typical sensitivity for this mode is degraded by 3 dB.

² As defined in the Bluetooth Core Specification v4.0 Volume 6: Core System Package (Low Energy Controller Volume).

³ QFN package sensitivity is degraded by approximately 1 dB compared to the provided value

RX selectivity

RX selectivity with equal modulation on interfering signal¹


Symbol	Description	Typ.	Units
C/I_{1M,co-channel}	1Mbps mode, co-channel interference	9	dB
C/I_1M,-1MHz	1 Mbps mode, Adjacent (-1 MHz) interference	-4	dB
C/I_1M,+1MHz	1 Mbps mode, Adjacent (+1 MHz) interference	-9	dB
C/I_1M,-2MHz	1 Mbps mode, Adjacent (-2 MHz) interference	-28	dB
C/I_1M,+2MHz	1 Mbps mode, Adjacent (+2 MHz) interference	-40	dB
C/I_1M,-3MHz	1 Mbps mode, Adjacent (-3 MHz) interference	-39	dB
C/I_1M,+3MHz	1 Mbps mode, Adjacent (+3 MHz) interference	-43	dB
C/I_1M,±6MHz	1 Mbps mode, Adjacent (≥6 MHz) interference	-48	dB
C/I_{1MBLE,co-channel}	1 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode, co-channel interference	6	dB
C/I_1MBLE,-1MHz	1 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode, Adjacent (-1 MHz) interference	-2	dB
C/I_1MBLE,+1MHz	1 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode, Adjacent (+1 MHz) interference	-6	dB
C/I_1MBLE,-2MHz	1 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode, Adjacent (-2 MHz) interference	-29	dB
C/I_1MBLE,+2MHz	1 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode, Adjacent (+2 MHz) interference	-43	dB
C/I_1MBLE,>3MHz	1 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode, Adjacent (≥3 MHz) interference	-46	dB
C/I_1MBLE,image	Image frequency interference	-29	dB
C/I_{1MBLE,image,1MHz}	Adjacent (1 MHz) interference to in-band image frequency	-39	dB
C/I_{2M,co-channel}	2 Mbps mode, co-channel interference	10	dB
C/I_2M,-2MHz	2 Mbps mode, Adjacent (-2 MHz) interference	-5	dB
C/I_2M,+2MHz	2 Mbps mode, Adjacent (+2 MHz) interference	-9	dB
C/I_2M,-4MHz	2 Mbps mode, Adjacent (-4 MHz) interference	-27	dB
C/I_2M,+4MHz	2 Mbps mode, Adjacent (+4 MHz) interference	-42	dB
C/I_2M,-6MHz	2 Mbps mode, Adjacent (-6 MHz) interference	-38	dB
C/I_2M,+6MHz	2 Mbps mode, Adjacent (+6 MHz) interference	-45	dB
C/I_2M,≥12MHz	2 Mbps mode, Adjacent (≥12 MHz) interference	-50	dB
C/I_{2MBLE,co-channel}	2 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode, co-channel interference	6	dB
C/I_2MBLE,-2MHz	2 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode, Adjacent (-2 MHz) interference	-2	dB
C/I_2MBLE,+2MHz	2 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode, Adjacent (+2 MHz) interference	-6	dB
C/I_2MBLE,-4MHz	2 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode, Adjacent (-4 MHz) interference	-29	dB
C/I_2MBLE,+4MHz	2 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode, Adjacent (+4 MHz) interference	-44	dB
C/I_{2MBLE,≥6MHz}	2 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode, Adjacent (≥6 MHz) interference	-46	dB
C/I_{4M,co-channel}	4 Mbps mode, co-channel interference	6	dB
C/I_4M,-4MHz	4 Mbps mode, Adjacent (-4 MHz) interference	-4	dB
C/I_4M,+4MHz	4 Mbps mode, Adjacent (+4 MHz) interference	-11	dB
C/I_4M,-8MHz	4 Mbps mode, Adjacent (-8 MHz) interference	-27	dB
C/I_4M,+8MHz	4 Mbps mode, Adjacent (+8 MHz) interference	-46	dB
C/I_4M,-12MHz	4 Mbps mode, Adjacent (-12 MHz) interference	-40	dB
C/I_4M,+12MHz	4 Mbps mode, Adjacent (+12 MHz) interference	-50	dB
C/I_4M,≥24MHz	4 Mbps mode, Adjacent (≥24 MHz) interference	-56	dB
C/I_2MBLE,image	Image frequency interference	-29	dB
C/I_{2MBLE,image, 2MHz}	Adjacent (2 MHz) interference to in-band image frequency	-38	dB
C/I_{125k BLE LR,co-channel}	125 kbps Bluetooth LE LR mode, co-channel interference	1	dB
C/I_{125k BLE LR,-1MHz}	125 kbps Bluetooth LE LR mode, Adjacent (-1 MHz) interference	-13	dB
C/I_{125k BLE LR,+1MHz}	125 kbps Bluetooth LE LR mode, Adjacent (+1 MHz) interference	-16	dB
C/I_{125k BLE LR,-2MHz}	125 kbps Bluetooth LE LR mode, Adjacent (-2 MHz) interference	-36	dB
C/I_{125k BLE LR,+2MHz}	125 kbps Bluetooth LE LR mode, Adjacent (+2 MHz) interference	-52	dB
C/I_{125k BLE LR,>3MHz}	125 kbps Bluetooth LE LR mode, Adjacent (≥3 MHz) interference	-55	dB
C/I_{125k BLE LR,image}	Image frequency interference	-36	dB
C/I_{IEEE 802.15.4,-5MHz}	IEEE 802.15.4 mode, Adjacent (-5 MHz) rejection	-35	dB
C/I_{IEEE 802.15.4,+5MHz}	IEEE 802.15.4 mode, Adjacent (+5 MHz) rejection	-38	dB
C/I_{IEEE 802.15.4,±10MHz}	IEEE 802.15.4 mode, Alternate (±10 MHz) rejection	-50	dB

Figure 1. Selectivity Bluetooth Low Energy (Typical performance; wanted signal at channel 2440 MHz and -67 dBm input level)

¹ Desired signal level at P_IN = -67 dBm. One interferer is used, having equal modulation as the desired signal. The input power of the interferer where the sensitivity equals BER = 0.1% is presented.

RX intermodulation

RX intermodulation. Desired signal level at P_IN = -64 dBm. Two interferers with equal input power are used. The interferer closest in frequency is not modulated, the other interferer is modulated equal with the desired signal. The input power of the interferers where the sensitivity equals BER = 1E-3 is presented.


Symbol	Description	Typ.	Units
P_IMD,5TH,1M	IMD performance, 1 Mbps, 5th offset channel, packet length ≤ 37 bytes		dBm
P_{IMD,5TH,1M,BLE}	IMD performance, Bluetooth LE 1 Mbps, 5th offset channel, packet length ≤ 37 bytes	-19	dBm
P_IMD,5TH,2M	IMD performance, 2 Mbps, 5th offset channel, packet length ≤ 37 bytes		dBm
P_{IMD,5TH,2M,BLE}	IMD performance, Bluetooth LE 2 Mbps, 5th offset channel, packet length ≤ 37 bytes	-16	dBm

Radio timing


Symbol	Description	Typ.	Units
t_TXEN,BLE,1M	Time between TXEN task and READY event after channel FREQUENCY configured (1 Mbps Bluetooth LE and 150 µs TIFS)	140	µs
t_{TXEN,FAST,BLE,1M}	Time between TXEN task and READY event after channel FREQUENCY configured (1 Mbps Bluetooth LE with fast ramp-up and 150 µs TIFS)	40	µs
t_TXDIS,BLE,1M	When in TX, delay between DISABLE task and DISABLED event for MODE = Nrf_1Mbit and MODE = Ble_1Mbit	2	µs
t_RXEN,BLE,1M	Time between the RXEN task and READY event after channel FREQUENCY configured (1 Mbps Bluetooth LE)	134	µs
t_{RXEN,FAST,BLE,1M}	Time between the RXEN task and READY event after channel FREQUENCY configured (1 Mbps Bluetooth LE with fast ramp-up)	40	µs
t_RXDIS,BLE,1M	When in RX, delay between DISABLE task and DISABLED event for MODE = Nrf_1Mbit and MODE = Ble_1Mbit	1	µs
t_TXDIS,BLE,2M	When in TX, delay between DISABLE task and DISABLED event for MODE = Nrf_2Mbit and MODE = Ble_2Mbit	2	µs
t_RXDIS,BLE,2M	When in RX, delay between DISABLE task and DISABLED event for MODE = Nrf_2Mbit and MODE = Ble_2Mbit	1	µs
t_{TXEN,IEEE 802.15.4}	Time between TXEN task and READY event after channel FREQUENCY configured (IEEE 802.15.4 mode)	130	µs
t_{TXEN,FAST,IEEE 802.15.4}	Time between TXEN task and READY event after channel FREQUENCY configured (IEEE 802.15.4 mode with fast ramp-up)	40	µs
t_{TXDIS,IEEE 802.15.4}	When in TX, delay between DISABLE task and DISABLED event (IEEE 802.15.4 mode)	18	µs
t_{RXEN,IEEE 802.15.4}	Time between the RXEN task and READY event after channel FREQUENCY configured (IEEE 802.15.4 mode)	130	µs
t_{RXEN,FAST,IEEE 802.15.4}	Time between the RXEN task and READY event after channel FREQUENCY configured (IEEE 802.15.4 mode with fast ramp-up)	40	µs
t_{RXDIS,IEEE 802.15.4}	When in RX, delay between DISABLE task and DISABLED event (IEEE 802.15.4 mode)	0.2	µs
t_{RX-to-TX turnaround, IEEE 802.15.4}	Maximum RX-to-TX turnaround time in IEEE 802.15.4 mode	17	µs

Received signal strength indicator (RSSI) specifications


Symbol	Description	Typ.	Max.	Units
RSSI_ACC	RSSI accuracy in the range -90 to -30 dBm	±2		dB
RSSI_RESOLUTION	RSSI resolution	1		dB
RSSI_PERIOD	RSSI sampling time from RSSISTART task	0.25		µs
RSSI_SETTLE	RSSI settling time after signal level change	15	20	µs

Figure 1. RSSI reading versus input level. Typical values.

Jitter


Symbol	Description	Min.	Typ.	Max.	Units
t_{DISABLEDJITTER}	Jitter on DISABLED event relative to END event when shortcut between END and DISABLE is enabled		0.25		µs
t_READYJITTER	Jitter on READY event relative to TXEN and RXEN task		0.25		µs

IEEE 802.15.4 mode energy detection constants


Symbol	Description	Min.	Typ.	Max.	Units
ED_RSSISCALE	Scaling value when converting between hardware-reported value and dBm	4	4	4
ED_RSSIOFFS	Offset value when converting between hardware-reported value and dBm	-92	-92	-92