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samples: benchmarks: Add nRF7120 System ON idle power consumption sample
Add a standalone demo sample showing System ON idle power consumption on the nRF7120 DK. The sample sleeps for a configurable duration (10 s by default) on the SoC's default GRTC-backed system timer, wakes up, and prints a wake counter. Exposes a Kconfig choice of RAM retention levels backed by the ram_pwrdn library (64/128/256/512 KiB, full retention by default, or powering down whatever the image itself does not use), each named as its own sample.yaml build variant. Prints a reminder at boot to power-cycle the board before taking a reading, since the flashing/debugger connection itself draws extra current. README.rst documents measuring current with a PPK2 in source meter mode via the P601 connector. Signed-off-by: Erdem Simsek <erdem.simsek@nordicsemi.no>
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‎CODEOWNERS‎

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/samples/app_jwt/ @nrfconnect/ncs-modem @ayla-nordicsemi
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/samples/basic/ @nrfconnect/ncs-co-build-system
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/samples/benchmarks/coremark/ @nrfconnect/ncs-blenders
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/samples/benchmarks/power_consumption/ @nrfconnect/ncs-malago
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/samples/bluetooth/nrf_auraconfig/ @nrfconnect/ncs-audio
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/samples/bluetooth/central_and_peripheral_hrs/ @nrfconnect/ncs-blenders
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/samples/bluetooth/central_bas/ @nrfconnect/ncs-blenders
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/samples/app_jwt/*.rst @nrfconnect/ncs-modem-doc @ayla-nordicsemi
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/samples/basic/empty/*.rst @nrfconnect/ncs-doc-leads
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/samples/benchmarks/coremark/*.rst @nrfconnect/ncs-blenders-doc
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/samples/benchmarks/power_consumption/*.rst @nrfconnect/ncs-blenders-doc
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/samples/bluetooth/central_and_peripheral_hrs/*.rst @nrfconnect/ncs-blenders-doc
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/samples/bluetooth/central_bas/*.rst @nrfconnect/ncs-blenders-doc
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/samples/bluetooth/nrf_auraconfig/*.rst @nrfconnect/ncs-audio-doc

‎doc/nrf/releases_and_maturity/releases/release-notes-changelog.rst‎

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* Added:
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* The :ref:`power_consumption_sample` sample for evaluating System ON Idle power consumption with configurable application RAM retention on the nRF7120 SoC.
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* The :ref:`vtf_monitoring_sample` sample that demonstrates how to capture voltage, temperature, and frequency data using the :ref:`vtf_monitoring` subsystem.
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* The :ref:`pulse_meas` sample that checks the pulse width of an externally provided signal.
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* The :ref:`rtfw_timer_gpio_sample` and :ref:`rtfw_hid_sample` samples demonstrating the RTFW control, fast-path, and event-delivery mechanisms.

‎samples/benchmarks/power_consumption/CMakeLists.txt‎

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#
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# Copyright (c) 2026 Nordic Semiconductor ASA
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#
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# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Nordic-5-Clause
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#
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cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.20.0)
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find_package(Zephyr REQUIRED HINTS $ENV{ZEPHYR_BASE})
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project(power_consumption)
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target_sources(app PRIVATE src/main.c)

‎samples/benchmarks/power_consumption/Kconfig‎

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#
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# Copyright (c) 2026 Nordic Semiconductor ASA
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#
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# SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Nordic-5-Clause
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#
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mainmenu "nRF7120 System ON Idle power consumption benchmark"
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config SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_IDLE_SECONDS
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int "System ON idle duration in seconds"
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range 1 3600
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default 10
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help
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Duration of the sleep period (through k_sleep(), on this SoC's default
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GRTC-backed system timer) before waking up, printing the wake
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counter, and sleeping again.
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choice SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN
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prompt "RAM retention level during System ON Idle"
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default SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_FULL
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help
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Controls the amount of application RAM that remains powered during System ON
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Idle, using the ram_pwrdn library (see
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nrf/doc/nrf/libraries/others/ram_pwrdn.rst). Total amount of SRAM on
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nrf7120dk/nrf7120/cpuapp is 1016 KiB, not 1024 KiB -- keep this in
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mind when reading the option names below.
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config SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_64K
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bool "Retain only the first 64 KiB of application RAM, power down the rest"
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select RAM_POWER_DOWN_LIBRARY
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help
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Calls power_down_ram() once at boot to power down everything past
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the first 64 KiB of application RAM (out of 1016 KiB total).
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config SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_128K
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bool "Retain only the first 128 KiB of application RAM, power down the rest"
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select RAM_POWER_DOWN_LIBRARY
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help
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Calls power_down_ram() once at boot to power down everything past
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the first 128 KiB of application RAM (out of 1016 KiB total).
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config SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_256K
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bool "Retain only the first 256 KiB of application RAM, power down the rest"
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select RAM_POWER_DOWN_LIBRARY
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help
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Calls power_down_ram() once at boot to power down everything past
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the first 256 KiB of application RAM (out of 1016 KiB total).
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config SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_512K
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bool "Retain only the first 512 KiB of application RAM, power down the rest"
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select RAM_POWER_DOWN_LIBRARY
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help
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Calls power_down_ram() once at boot to power down everything past
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the first 512 KiB of application RAM (out of 1016 KiB total, so
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this leaves slightly more than half of RAM powered down, not
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exactly half).
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config SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_FULL
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bool "Retain all RAM (default) -- nothing is powered down"
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help
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No RAM power-down call is made at all. This is the default: by
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default, all RAM must stay retained.
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config SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_UNUSED_ONLY
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bool "Power down whatever this image itself does not use"
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select RAM_POWER_DOWN_LIBRARY
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help
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Calls power_down_unused_ram() instead of a fixed KiB boundary --
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the ram_pwrdn library computes the unused range itself, from the
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end of the running image to the end of application RAM. Whichever
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RAM section still holds live image/stack data is left powered,
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same as every other tier above.
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endchoice
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source "Kconfig.zephyr"

‎samples/benchmarks/power_consumption/README.rst‎

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.. _power_consumption_sample:
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.. ncs-sample::
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:title: Power consumption (System ON Idle)
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The Power consumption (System ON Idle) sample demonstrates how to evaluate the power consumption of the nRF7120 SoC during the System ON Idle state.
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The sample application is set to periodically sleep for a configurable duration, after which the device wakes up from sleep, printing the wake up count.
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In addition to that, the sample demonstrates the different RAM retention levels available through the :ref:`lib_ram_pwrdn` library.
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Requirements
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************
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The sample supports the following development kit:
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.. table-from-sample-yaml::
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The sample also requires a `Power Profiler Kit II (PPK2)`_, for measuring current consumption.
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Overview
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********
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At boot, the sample performs the following operations:
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1. Prints a reminder to switch the board's power off and back on before taking a power measurement (see `Measuring the power consumption`_).
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#. Applies the user-configured RAM retention level.
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#. Enters a periodic loop, where it:
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a. Transits to sleep (System ON Idle) for a period of :kconfig:option:`CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_IDLE_SECONDS` (10 seconds by default).
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#. Wakes up from sleep.
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#. Prints the wake-up counter value.
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#. Transits to sleep again.
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RAM retention levels
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=====================
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By default, all application RAM is retained during System ON Idle.
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The sample's own Kconfig allows the user to configure the amount of RAM that is retained, exposing a choice of retention levels, each backed by the :ref:`lib_ram_pwrdn` library:
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.. list-table::
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:header-rows: 1
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* - Kconfig option
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- Behavior
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* - :kconfig:option:`CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_FULL` (default)
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- All RAM stays retained.
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No RAM is powered down.
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* - :kconfig:option:`CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_64K`
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- Only the first 64 KiB of RAM stays retained; the rest is powered down.
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* - :kconfig:option:`CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_128K`
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- Only the first 128 KiB of RAM stays retained; the rest is powered down.
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* - :kconfig:option:`CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_256K`
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- Only the first 256 KiB of RAM stays retained; the rest is powered down.
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* - :kconfig:option:`CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_512K`
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- Only the first 512 KiB of RAM stays retained; the rest is powered down.
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* - :kconfig:option:`CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_UNUSED_ONLY`
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- Powers down all RAM that is left unused by the sample application image, using the library's own automatic detection (``power_down_unused_ram()``), instead of a fixed KiB boundary.
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Building and running
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********************
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.. |sample path| replace:: :file:`nrf/samples/benchmarks/power_consumption`
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.. include:: /includes/build_and_run.txt
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The default configuration (all RAM retained) is built with:
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.. code-block:: console
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west build -p always -b nrf7120dk/nrf7120/cpuapp nrf/samples/benchmarks/power_consumption
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To build the sample with any other of the supported RAM retention levels, pass the matching Kconfig option on the command line, for example:
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.. code-block:: console
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west build -p always -b nrf7120dk/nrf7120/cpuapp nrf/samples/benchmarks/power_consumption -- -DCONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_64K=y
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The same supported six configurations are also given in the :file:`tests.yaml` file (for example ``sample.benchmarks.power_consumption.ram_retain_64k``), for use with ``west build -T <name>`` or Twister.
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Testing
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========
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|test_sample|
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Measuring the power consumption
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-------------------------------
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.. important::
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The debugger or SWD connection used during flashing draws additional current and can leave the target in a state that does not reflect its true standalone power consumption.
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Always power-cycle the target after flashing before taking a reading, as described in **Step 8** below.
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**P601** is a 1x3 header (pin 1 ``P5V0``, pin 2 ``VBAT_5V0``, pin 3 ``GND``), normally bridged by the **JP601** shunt jumper so ``P5V0`` feeds straight through to ``VBAT_5V0``.
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To measure current with a PPK2 in source meter mode, complete the following steps:
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1. Remove the **JP601** shunt jumper from **P601**.
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#. Connect the PPK2's **Vout** to **P601** pin 2 (``VBAT_5V0``).
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#. Connect the PPK2's **GND** to **P601** pin 3 (``GND``).
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#. Connect the USB cable to the DK to flash the image (the DK's interface MCU/debugger runs on its own USB-derived supply; with the **JP601** shunt removed, the nRF7120 itself is powered only from **P601** pin 2, i.e. the PPK2, throughout).
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#. In the PPK2 app, select **Source Meter** mode and enable power output with **3.6 V** as the supply voltage.
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#. Run ``west flash`` to flash the image.
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#. Remove the USB cable.
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#. Toggle the PPK2's **Enable power output** control off and back on.
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This power-cycles the target now that the debugger is disconnected, giving an accurate measurement.
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Sample output
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**************
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The sample shows the following output:
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.. code-block:: console
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Power consumption demo ready.
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Switch the board's power off and back on now to get correct power consumption readings.
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Woken up 1 time(s)
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Woken up 2 time(s)
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Woken up 3 time(s)
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Dependencies
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************
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This sample uses the following |NCS| library:
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* :ref:`lib_ram_pwrdn`
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It uses the following Zephyr library:
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* :ref:`zephyr:kernel_api`
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In addition, the non-secure build uses the following secure firmware component:
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* :ref:`Trusted Firmware-M <ug_tfm>`

‎samples/benchmarks/power_consumption/prj.conf‎

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# Serial console is on by default so the reset-button prompt and the
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# wake counter are visible out of the box. For the most accurate current
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# reading, disable it (see README.rst) -- logging over UART measurably
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# raises the current draw.
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CONFIG_SERIAL=y
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CONFIG_CONSOLE=y
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CONFIG_UART_CONSOLE=y
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# Required so the console (UART) can actually be suspended around each
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# idle window (see main.c) -- without this, the UART peripheral (and
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# whatever clock it depends on) stays fully active for the whole "idle"
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# window, which dominates the measured current.
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CONFIG_PM_DEVICE=y

‎samples/benchmarks/power_consumption/src/main.c‎

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/*
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* Copyright (c) 2026 Nordic Semiconductor ASA
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*
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* SPDX-License-Identifier: LicenseRef-Nordic-5-Clause
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*/
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#include <zephyr/device.h>
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#include <zephyr/devicetree.h>
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#include <zephyr/kernel.h>
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#include <zephyr/pm/device.h>
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#if defined(CONFIG_RAM_POWER_DOWN_LIBRARY)
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#include <ram_pwrdn.h>
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#endif
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#define IDLE_TIME K_SECONDS(CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_IDLE_SECONDS)
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static void configure_ram_retention(void)
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{
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#if defined(CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_UNUSED_ONLY)
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power_down_unused_ram();
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#elif defined(CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_64K) || \
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defined(CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_128K) || \
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defined(CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_256K) || \
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defined(CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_512K)
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uintptr_t ram_start = DT_REG_ADDR(DT_CHOSEN(zephyr_sram));
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uintptr_t ram_end = ram_start + DT_REG_SIZE(DT_CHOSEN(zephyr_sram));
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#if defined(CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_64K)
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uintptr_t retained_size = 64U * 1024U;
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#elif defined(CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_128K)
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uintptr_t retained_size = 128U * 1024U;
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#elif defined(CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_256K)
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uintptr_t retained_size = 256U * 1024U;
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#elif defined(CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_512K)
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uintptr_t retained_size = 512U * 1024U;
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#endif
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power_down_ram(ram_start + retained_size, ram_end);
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#endif
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/* CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_FULL (default): no
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* power-down call at all -- every byte of application RAM stays retained.
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*/
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}
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int main(void)
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{
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#if defined(CONFIG_SERIAL)
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const struct device *const console = DEVICE_DT_GET(DT_CHOSEN(zephyr_console));
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int err;
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if (!device_is_ready(console)) {
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return 0;
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}
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printk("\nPower consumption demo ready.\n"
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"Switch the board's power off and back on now to get correct "
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"power consumption readings.\n\n");
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#endif
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configure_ram_retention();
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#if defined(CONFIG_SERIAL)
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uint32_t wakeups = 0;
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#endif
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while (true) {
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#if defined(CONFIG_SERIAL)
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/* Suspend the console (UART) before sleeping -- otherwise it
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* stays fully active (and keeps whatever clock it depends on
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* requested) for the whole "idle" window, which is the
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* single biggest cause of elevated idle current in a sample
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* like this.
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*/
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err = pm_device_action_run(console, PM_DEVICE_ACTION_SUSPEND);
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if (err != 0) {
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printk("Failed to suspend console: %d\n", err);
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return 0;
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}
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#endif
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k_sleep(IDLE_TIME);
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#if defined(CONFIG_SERIAL)
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err = pm_device_action_run(console, PM_DEVICE_ACTION_RESUME);
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if (err != 0) {
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return 0;
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}
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wakeups++;
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printk("Woken up %u time(s)\n", wakeups);
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#endif
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}
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return 0;
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}

‎samples/benchmarks/power_consumption/tests.yaml‎

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sample:
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name: Power consumption (System ON Idle)
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common:
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tags:
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- power
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- ci_samples_benchmarks
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harness: console
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harness_config:
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type: multi_line
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ordered: true
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regex:
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- "Power consumption demo ready."
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- 'Woken up 1 time\(s\)'
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platform_allow:
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- nrf7120dk/nrf7120/cpuapp
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- nrf7120dk/nrf7120/cpuapp/ns
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integration_platforms:
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- nrf7120dk/nrf7120/cpuapp
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- nrf7120dk/nrf7120/cpuapp/ns
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tests:
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sample.benchmarks.power_consumption.ram_retain_full:
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extra_configs:
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- CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_FULL=y
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sample.benchmarks.power_consumption.ram_retain_64k:
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extra_configs:
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- CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_64K=y
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sample.benchmarks.power_consumption.ram_retain_128k:
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extra_configs:
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- CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_128K=y
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sample.benchmarks.power_consumption.ram_retain_256k:
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extra_configs:
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- CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_256K=y
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sample.benchmarks.power_consumption.ram_retain_512k:
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extra_configs:
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- CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_512K=y
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sample.benchmarks.power_consumption.ram_powerdown_unused:
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extra_configs:
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- CONFIG_SAMPLE_POWER_CONSUMPTION_RAM_RETAIN_UNUSED_ONLY=y

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