Hardware:
Custom DA14683 Board
Newest SDK = 1.0.14.1081 (last updated in 2018)
Situation:
This is really a continuation of this issue: https://community.renesas.com/wireles-connectivity/f/bluetooth-low-energy/28975/da14683-fcc-part-15-testing-setup-and-rf-functionality/99343#99343
In the sdk, there is a function to set the TX Power that takes a value from an enum. Both shown here:
void hw_rf_set_tx_power_ble(HW_RF_PWR_LUT_SETTING lut) { RFCU->RF_TX_PWR_BLE_REG = lut; rf_tx_power_luts.tx_power_ble = lut; }
typedef enum { HW_RF_PWR_LUT_0dbm = 0, /**< TX PWR attenuation 0 dbm */ HW_RF_PWR_LUT_m1dbm = 1, /**< TX PWR attenuation -1 dbm */ HW_RF_PWR_LUT_m2dbm = 2, /**< TX PWR attenuation -2 dbm */ HW_RF_PWR_LUT_m3dbm = 3, /**< TX PWR attenuation -3 dbm */ HW_RF_PWR_LUT_m4dbm = 4, /**< TX PWR attenuation -4 dbm */ } HW_RF_PWR_LUT_SETTING;
As noted in this issue: community.renesas.com/.../da14683-at-what-point-during-power-up-is-the-ble-tx-power-level-set
"The hw_rf_set_tx_power_ble() is changing the TX power attenuation setting."
Ok. So using that I should be able to set the TX power in my program.
.... but there appears to be no such option for setting the TX power in the SmartSnippets ToolBox RF Master.
If I'm using the PLT_FW and SmartSnippets Toolbox RF Master during FCC testing, how do I set the TX power level there to match what my program will be doing when it's running my firmware?
If the RF Master from the toolbox uses a higher TX power than my program does, then I could fail the FCC testing even through my program would be within limits.
Questions:
1) How do you set the TX power levels in the SmartSnippets Toolbox RF Master for the DA14683?
changing the attenuator level not supported by RF Master
This is an unacceptable answer.
First you insist I use the RF Master to control the radio over the UART. Now you tell me that there is no way to set the radio TX Power Attenuator through the RF Master?
How am I supposed to pass the lower allowable power FCC testing when I can't set the TX Power Attenuator to the required lower power level during the direct tests?
Paging Ben Lauret... We need to talk about escalating this to level 2 support....
This document explains the RF testing for the DA1468x : https://www.renesas.com/eu/en/document/apn/b-043-application-note-da1468x-bluetooth-direct-test-mode
Here in the UM for the RF Master : http://lpccs-docs.renesas.com/UM-B-083/tools/RfMaster.html
And here is how to compile and get binaries for the RF Master tool : http://lpccs-docs.renesas.com/UM-B-083/Appendix/Appendix_A.html
What is this? I feel like I am on hold with an AT&T call center.
Let me summarize your responses to this very specific question:
a) "I'm going to play a word/semantics game and try to dodge your question."
b) "You can't do the thing you want to do."
c) "I'm going to be overly general and suggest some general links, which also happen to not answer the actual question."
As I said before, not being able to set the TX Power ATTENUATOR in the tool that you require for FCC testing is a fundamental oversight. Hopefully you realize that part of the FCC test is actually measuring the TX Output Power. Your whole RF Master system is useless if it can't set the output power ATTENUATOR to match what the end application will be using.
You can claim "it hasn't been a problem before" but the FCC rules changed this year and now have a significantly lower allowable power for wearable devices. If you don't want to support this product line, just End-of-life or Not-For-New-Designs it already and move on. That would have saved me a ton of trouble.
Considering I don't think this is a problem with the actual DA14683 hardware, and all the relevant systems (DA14683, SS Toolbox, plt_fw) should be able to do the required functionality, It would be great if you could just escalate this to a senior support and we can get this resolved without any more games.
Nathan, I have created an internal ticket for this. we are checking this and will get back to you.