nRF24L01 2.4 GHz transceiver: specs and pinout
2.4 GHz ISM-band RF transceiver chip with 126 channels, 250 kbps, 1 Mbps or 2 Mbps air data rates, and an SPI interface.
Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Supply voltage VDD | 1.9 V to 3.6 V (3.0 V typ) | source Electrical Characteristics, Table 3 Operating conditions (p.13) |
| Supply voltage when input signals exceed 3.6 V | 2.7 V to 3.3 V (3.0 V typ) | source Table 3 Operating conditions (p.13) |
| Absolute maximum supply voltage | 3.6 V | source Absolute maximum ratings (p.12) |
| RF channels | 126 | source Features (p.8) |
| Air data rates | 250 kbps, 1 Mbps, 2 Mbps | source Features (p.1); overview (p.7) |
| RX current at 2 Mbps | 13.5 mA | source Features (p.8) |
| Sensitivity at 2 Mbps | -82 dBm | source Features (p.8) |
| Sensitivity at 1 Mbps | -85 dBm | source Features (p.8) |
| Sensitivity at 250 kbps | -94 dBm | source Features (p.8) |
| SPI maximum rate | 10 Mbps | source Features (p.8) |
| Maximum input high level VIH | 5.25 V (0.7 x VDD min) | source Digital input levels (p.20) |
Power
| Value | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | VDD 1.9-3.6 V (3.0 V typ); 2.7-3.3 V when inputs exceed 3.6 V | source Features (p.8); operating conditions (p.13) |
| Current | RX 13.5 mA at 2 Mbps | source Features (p.8); operating conditions (p.13) |
Chip pins
These are the pins of the chip on the module, from the chip datasheet. The module's own header may label or expose them differently. Module header labels come from the Compoden listing, not an official module schematic.
| Pin | Function | Voltage | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VDD | Power supply (three VDD pins on the chip) | 1.9-3.6 V (3.0 V typ); 2.7-3.3 V (3.0 V typ) if input signals exceed 3.6 V; absolute max 3.6 V | Never power the chip from 5 V. The module's '3.3V' pin is the supply. | source Section 2.2 Pin functions, Table 1 (p.11); Section 3 Table 2 (p.12); Section 4 Table 3 (p.13) |
| VSS | Ground (0 V) | 0 V | Module label GND. | source Section 2.2 Pin functions, Table 1 (p.11) |
| CE | Digital input: chip enable, activates RX or TX mode | Digital input VIH min 0.7 x VDD, max 5.25 V; VIL max 0.3 x VDD; input absolute max VSS to 5.25 V | Inputs above 3.6 V are only allowed with VDD between 2.7 V and 3.3 V (Table 12 footnote). | source Section 2.2 Pin functions, Table 1 (p.11); Table 12 Digital input pin |
| CSN | Digital input: SPI chip select | Digital input VIH min 0.7 x VDD, max 5.25 V; VIL max 0.3 x VDD; input absolute max VSS to 5.25 V | Same footnote as CE. | source Section 2.2 Pin functions, Table 1 (p.11); Table 12 Digital input pin |
| SCK | Digital input: SPI clock | Digital input VIH min 0.7 x VDD, max 5.25 V; VIL max 0.3 x VDD; input absolute max VSS to 5.25 V | Same footnote as CE. | source Section 2.2 Pin functions, Table 1 (p.11); Table 12 Digital input pin |
| MOSI | Digital input: SPI slave data input | Digital input VIH min 0.7 x VDD, max 5.25 V; VIL max 0.3 x VDD; input absolute max VSS to 5.25 V | Same footnote as CE. | source Section 2.2 Pin functions, Table 1 (p.11); Table 12 Digital input pin |
| MISO | Digital output: SPI slave data output, with tri-state option | VOH VDD - 0.3 V to VDD; VOL 0 to 0.3 V (Table 13) | Output swings to VDD, not 5 V. | source Section 2.2 Pin functions, Table 1 (p.11); Table 13 Digital output pin |
| IRQ | Digital output: maskable interrupt pin, active low | VOH VDD - 0.3 V to VDD (Table 13) | Not named in the listing. | source Section 2.2 Pin functions, Table 1 (p.11); Table 13 Digital output pin |
Common mistakes
- Feeding the supply from 5 V: the supply range is 1.9-3.6 V and the absolute maximum is 3.6 V (source)
- Driving inputs above 3.6 V without lowering VDD: when input signals exceed 3.6 V, the supply must be 2.7-3.3 V (source)
- Quoting 125 channels: the datasheet lists 126 RF channels (source)
What we could not confirm
- Preliminary v1.0 specification; confirm against the final Nordic release.
- Range (100 m on listing) is not in the datasheet.
- Module pinout and Uno wiring are not chip facts; not covered.
- Chip datasheet only.
- Preliminary v1.0 spec, copy hosted by a hosted copy: confirm against the final Nordic release. Official input rule: signal inputs may reach 5.25 V (VIH max), but ONLY while VDD is held at 2.7-3.3 V; supply must never exceed 3.6 V. The module's own regulator/PCB (e.g. the common 'adapter' board) is not covered by any source.
- Listing's '3.3V (requires level shifting with 5V microcontrollers)' is conservative against the chip rule above; kept as advice, the chip-level allowance is stated in the pin rows.
Sources
- Nordic nRF24L01+ product specification v1.0 PRELIMINARY (copy hosted by a hosted copy): link
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