Laird DVK-BL600-SA, User Manual

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BL600 Development Kit
Version 2.0
Americas: +1-800-492-2320 Option 2
Europe: +44-1628-858-940
Hong Kong: +852-2923-0610
www.lairdtech.com/bluetooth
19 CONN-GUIDE_BL600_DVK_v2_0
The current drawn by the BL600 series module can be monitored on the development board. Figure 11 shows the
schematic (and location of measuring points on PCB) related to current measurements.
To prepare the board for current measurement, cut the shorting of the solder bridge SB9. After this modification
there are two primary ways to measure the current consumption:

Using Ammeter – Connect an ampere meter between the two pins of connector CON1. This monitors the
current directly.

Using Oscilloscope (Note1) – Mount a resistor on the footprint R28. The resistor should not be larger than 10
Ohm. Connect an oscilloscope or similar with two probes on the pin on the CON1 connector and measure the
voltage drop. The voltage drop is proportional with current consumption. If a 1 Ohm resistor is chosen, 1 mV
equals 1mA.
There is also a third way to measure current:

Using Current Shunt Monitor – The current drawn by the BL600module can be monitored using the Current
Shunt Monitor (CSM), INA216 (U8). The gain of INA216 is 200 V/V for lowest possible drop voltage.
Note: The Using Current Shunt Monitor method allows the dynamic current consumption waveforms on
oscilloscope as the BL600 radio operates. This can provide insight into power optimization.
Current consumed by the BL600 series module is measured as a voltage (that is proportional to the current) using the
CSM by connecting measuring voltmeter OR oscilloscope to TP14 Connect measuring voltmeter or oscilloscope GND
to TP15.
I(mA) = Vmeas_TP14(mV) /100
CAUTION: Take care not to short TP14 (the Current Shunt Monitor IC (U8)) output to GND, as that will
permanently damage the IC U8.
7. A
DDITIONAL
D
OCUMENTATION
Laird offers a variety of documentation and ancillary information to support our customers through the initial
evaluation process and ultimately into mass production. Additional documentation includes:

BL600 –
smart
BASIC User manual

BL600 – smart BASIC sample applications library

BL600 Firmware Upgrade Application note

DVK-BL600 – User Manual

DVK-BL600 - Schematics

DVK-BL600 – Quick Start Guide for Heart Rate and Thermometer

DVK-BL600 – Quick Start Guide for Proximity

BL600 – User Manual – Hardware Datasheet and Integration Guide
For any additional questions or queries, or to receive local technical support for this Development Kit or for the
BL600 module series, please contact
wirelessinfo@lairdtech.com