During operation, nRF9160 current consumption depends significantly on the LTE network,
end product's antenna design, temperature, battery voltage, and the intensity of the LTE uplink
data transmit. Although the typical current consumption of nRF9160 can be very low, the power
supply and system must be designed to meet the demands of the potential worst-case level of
current consumption.
The worst-case level of current consumption depends, among other things, on the following:
- The temperature range for which the end product is certified.
- The cut-off voltage of the end product's power supply.
- The antenna impedance mismatch behavior when the end product is placed on a metal surface or
covered by the user's hand.
The current consumption figures related to hardware design are given in Modem current consumption in nRF9160 Product Specification:
- Radio resource control (RRC) current consumption figures equal to average current
consumption over radio frame (10 ms) with up and downlink data transmission in nominal
operating conditions.
- Peak current consumption figures in nominal operating conditions equal to average current
consumption during uplink transmission in nominal operating conditions.
- Peak current consumption figures in extreme operating conditions equal to average current
consumption during uplink transmission in extreme operating conditions. This means Tc >65°C and
antenna mismatch of VSWR3:1. In the design of the end product's supply, this is the most
stringent target to comply with.