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QFN-20 · nRF24L01+
Active2.4 GHz RF Transceiver
nRF24L01+
Nordic Semiconductor · QFN-20 · 2.4 GHz RF Transceiver
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Get a competitive quote within 24 hours. Volume discounts available. Shenzhen stock ships in 1-2 business days.
Overview
The nRF24L01+ is Nordic Semiconductor's single-chip 2.4 GHz ISM transceiver and, more than a decade after release, still the default low-cost radio for hobby and light-industrial wireless links. It combines a GFSK radio covering 2400 to 2525 MHz in 1 MHz steps (126 RF channels) with an on-chip baseband engine called Enhanced ShockBurst that handles packet assembly, CRC, auto-acknowledgement, automatic retransmission and three-deep 32-byte TX and RX FIFOs. Air data rates are 250 kbps, 1 Mbps or 2 Mbps; transmit power is programmable at 0, -6, -12 or -18 dBm; receiver sensitivity is -82 dBm at 2 Mbps, -85 dBm at 1 Mbps and -94 dBm at 250 kbps. The host interface is a 4-pin SPI bus at up to 10 Mbps with 5 V-tolerant inputs, and the package is a 4 x 4 mm QFN-20.
Power performance is the reason the part survives. Supply is 1.9 V to 3.6 V with an internal regulator, transmit current is 11.3 mA at 0 dBm, receive is 13.5 mA at 2 Mbps, standby-I is 26 microamps and power-down is 900 nA, with 130 microsecond start-up from standby and 1.5 ms from power-down. Six data pipes with MultiCeiver support let one receiver listen to up to six nodes for star networks. The radio needs a 16 MHz crystal within 60 ppm at 12 pF load, a 22 kOhm precision resistor on IREF, correct VDD_PA decoupling and a 50-ohm balanced antenna network - the reference BOM in the datasheet is the safest starting point. Note that the chip is not 5 V tolerant on VDD itself, so 5 V Arduino designs must regulate down to 3.3 V and add bulk capacitance.
Counterfeit exposure on this part is unusually high because module makers buy in volume and the QFN-20 is easy to remark. Clones such as the SI24R1 are pin-compatible but differ in register behaviour, maximum output power and receiver performance, and outright fakes may not support the 250 kbps mode or reliable auto-ack at all. Verify by reading the CONFIG, EN_AA and RF_SETUP register defaults over SPI, testing all three data rates, and measuring link margin at a fixed distance - genuine parts reach the specified sensitivity. Inspect laser marking, date codes and lead finish. MOQ is typically one reel (3,000-5,000 pcs for the bare QFN) or 100 pcs loose; Shenzhen stock ships in 1-2 days.
Key Features
- 2.4 GHz GFSK transceiver with 126 channels at 1 MHz spacing (2400-2525 MHz)
- 250 kbps, 1 Mbps and 2 Mbps air rates with -94 dBm sensitivity at 250 kbps
- Enhanced ShockBurst: auto-ack, auto-retransmit, dynamic payload and 32-byte FIFOs
- Six-pipe MultiCeiver for 1:6 star networks over a 4-pin SPI at up to 10 Mbps
- 1.9-3.6 V supply, 11.3 mA TX at 0 dBm, 13.5 mA RX, 900 nA power-down, QFN-20 4 x 4 mm
Typical Applications
- Wireless keyboards, mice, game controllers and RF remotes
- Sensor networks and telemetry links between microcontroller boards
- RC toys, model aircraft control links and hobby robotics
- Industrial machine-to-machine signalling where Wi-Fi is too heavy
- Battery gadgets needing microamp sleep currents with fast wake-up
Specifications
- Wireless Standard
- Proprietary 2.4 GHz GFSK (Enhanced ShockBurst)
- Frequency Band
- 2400 to 2525 MHz
- Data Rate
- 0.25 / 1 / 2 Mbps
- Output Power
- -18 to 0 dBm
- Receiver Sensitivity
- -94 dBm
- Supply Voltage
- 1.9 to 3.6 V
- Interface
- SPI, up to 10 Mbps
- Supply Current (RX / TX at 0 dBm)
- 13.5 / 11.3 mA
- Pins
- 20
- RoHS
- Compliant
Procurement Tips
If your product is going through certification or claims Nordic-grade sensitivity, buy genuine nRF24L01+ from a traceable channel and require a register-default plus 250 kbps test report - the clone market for this specific part is the deepest in the whole RF catalogue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between nRF24L01 and nRF24L01+?
The plus version adds the 250 kbps air data rate, improved receiver sensitivity and filtering, and a more robust Enhanced ShockBurst engine, while remaining drop-in compatible in the same QFN-20 and register map. Buy the nRF24L01+ for anything new; the older nRF24L01 is limited to 1 and 2 Mbps and has worse sensitivity.
Why does my nRF24L01+ module reset or lose packets on an Arduino?
Two classic causes. Power: the chip needs 1.9-3.6 V and cannot tolerate 5 V on VDD, while transmit bursts cause voltage dips - use a dedicated 3.3 V regulator and at least 10 microfarads of bulk capacitance plus 100 nF at the module. Signal: long jumper wires on SPI cause reflections, so keep SCK/MOSI/MISO short and add a 10 kOhm pull-up on CSN if the module is unreliable at speed.
How far will a bare nRF24L01+ reach, and what about the PA/LNA versions?
At 0 dBm with a PCB antenna in open space expect tens of metres indoors and roughly 100 m line-of-sight outdoors; dropping to 250 kbps improves sensitivity by about 12 dB and extends range further. The popular +PA+LNA modules add an external front end for roughly +20 dBm transmit and an SMA connector, reaching hundreds of metres to a kilometre, but they draw much more current and need a stronger supply.
Is the SI24R1 the same as the nRF24L01+?
It is a pin-compatible clone, not an identical part. The SI24R1 supports higher transmit power and largely follows the Nordic register map, but differences exist in register behaviour, ramp settings and RF performance, and Nordic provides no support or certification inheritance. If your product claims Nordic performance or uses a Nordic protocol stack, buy genuine nRF24L01+ and verify by testing all three data rates and sensitivity.
How do I check a reel for counterfeit nRF24L01+ chips?
Over SPI, read the reset defaults of CONFIG, EN_AA, EN_RXADDR, RF_CH, RF_SETUP and RX_PW_P0 - fakes frequently show wrong defaults or all-zero/all-FF responses. Then functionally test 250 kbps mode (many clones do not support it properly), measure received signal strength against a calibrated source, and inspect laser marking, date-code consistency and lead finish. We test samples from each lot on a fixture that checks all three data rates and auto-ack reliability.
What is the MOQ and lead time for nRF24L01+?
For the bare QFN-20 the MOQ is one tape-and-reel (reel quantity depends on the Nordic packing code), with 100 pcs loose available for prototyping. Nordic authorised channel lead time is normally 8-16 weeks. Our Shenzhen stock generally dispatches in 1-2 business days for quantities up to 50,000 pcs, and finished breakout modules are available separately.
Alternatives & Equivalents
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