So I compiled simple_tx and simple_rx sample code with MCP2210 driver and communication range issue has been resolved. This is good.
One can argue that there is some configuration problem we oversee in the previous application that leads to range problems.
BUT I have two debug traces to compare the results of soft radio reboot and see if you can provide any insights on the different outcome. As debug traces indicate, both apps do the exact same read and writes over SPI, but the older application reads all 0xFF values after soft reboot procedure (subsequent reads are not included in the following traces for simplicity purposes). I copy and paste corresponding portion of debug dump here for comparison purposes.
The question is what would lead to such difference? Do timing of SPI commands matter? note soft reboot is implemented exact same way in the deca device library with the necessary sleep to let clk PLL lock after reset.
SIMPLE_TX + MCP2210
Read 00 Data 30 01 ca de
Read 36 Data 00 02
Write b6 Data 01
Write f6 01 Data 02
Write f6 04 Data 00 00
Write ac Data 00 00
Write ec 06 Data 00
Write ec 02 Data 00
Write ec 02 Data 02
Write f6 03 Data 00
Write f6 03 Data f0
Read 36 Data 00 02
PREVIOUS APPLICATION
Read 00 Len 4 Data 30 01 ca de
Read 36 Len 2 Data 00 02
Write 36 Len 1 Cmd b6 Data 01
Write 36 01 Len 1 Cmd f601 Data 02
Write 36 04 Len 2 Cmd f604 Data 00 00
Write 2c Len 2 Cmd ac Data 00 00
Write 2c 06 Len 1 Cmd ec06 Data 00
Write 2c 02 Len 1 Cmd ec02 Data 00
Write 2c 02 Len 1 Cmd ec02 Data 02
Write 36 03 Len 1 Cmd f603 Data 00
Write 36 03 Len 1 Cmd f603 Data f0
Read 36 Len 2 Data ff ff