EZRadioPRO Development Kit User's Guide

EZRadioPRO-DK
EZR ADIO P R O ® D EVELOPMENT K I TS U SER ’ S G UIDE
1. Kits Overview
This user's guide describes the development kits of the EZRadioPRO wireless development kit family. Each kit
contains two RF nodes based on the Wireless Motherboard to support evaluation and development of sub-GHz RF
links with the different EZRadioPRO devices. Table 1 lists the RF pico boards of the kits that use the latest C2A
revision of the EZRadioPRO ICs. Table 2 lists the RF pico boards of the obsolete kits that use the previous B1B
revision of the EZRadioPRO ICs. Table 3 lists the content that is common to all kits.
Table 1. RF Pico Boards of the EZRadioPRO Development Kits
Qty
Description
Si4461 Development Kit 868 MHz
2
Si4461 RF Transceiver Pico board 868 MHz, 14 dBm, direct tie
Si4438 Development Kit 490 MHz
2
Si4438 RF Transceiver Pico board 490 MHz, 20 dBm, direct tie
Si4463 Development Kit 915 MHz
2
Si4463 RF Transceiver Pico board 915 MHz, 20 dBm, switched
Part Number
4461C-868-PDK
4461CPCE14D868-EK
4438C-490-PDK
4438CPCE20D490-EK
4463C-915-PDK
4463CPCE20C915-EK
Table 2. RF Pico Boards of the obsolete EZRadioPRO Development Kits
Qty
Description
Si4060/Si4362 Development Kit 868 MHz
1
Si4060 RF Transmitter Pico Board 868 MHz, 10 dBm
1
Si4362 RF Receiver Pico Board 868 MHz
1
Si4063 RF Transmitter Pico board 915 MHz, 20 dBm
1
Si4362 RF Receiver Pico board 915 MHz
Si4063/Si4362 Development Kit 915 MHz
Si4461 Development Kit 868 MHz
2
Si4461 RF Transceiver Pico board 868 MHz, 14 dBm, direct tie
Si4438 Development Kit 490 MHz
2
Si4438 RF Transceiver Pico board 490 MHz, 20 dBm, direct tie
Si4463 Development Kit 915 MHz
2
Si4463 RF Transceiver Pico Board 915 MHz, 20 dBm, switched
Part Number
4060-868-PDK
4060-PCE10B868-EK
4362-PRXB868-EK
4063-915-PDK
4063-PCE20B915-EK
4362-PRXB915-EK
4461-868-PDK
4461-PCE14D868-EK
4438-490-PDK
4438-PCE20D490
4463-915-PDK
4463-PCE20C915-EK
Table 3. Content Common to Every Kit
Qty
Description
2
Wireless Motherboard
2
C8051F930 MCU Pico Board
2
USB cable (USBA-USB mini)
2
Antenna with SMA connection
1
Kit user guide
Rev. 0.5 9/14
Part Number
MSC-WMB93X
Copyright © 2014 by Silicon Laboratories
UPPI-930-RF
MSC-AT50-XXX
EZRadioPRO-DK
EZRadioPRO-DK
2. Software Setup
There are two software tools provided by Silicon Labs to aid in EZRadioPRO software development, the Wireless
Development Suite (WDS) and the Silicon Labs Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The recommended
starting point for EZRadioPRO development is the WDS software tool. This tool is able to identify the connected
boards by reading their identification memories (EBID) and provides valuable help by greatly simplifying radio
configuration, evaluation, and application development.
2.1. Hardware and Software Requirements for WDS
The following hardware and software is required to run the WDS:
Windows
XP or later
.NET framework 3.5 or later
Silicon Labs CP210x VCP driver
WDS v3.2.7.0 or later
The lack of the .NET framework and VCP driver are recognized during the WDS installation. The install wizard will
install the missing components after prompting the user for consent.
Microsoft
2.2. Download WDS
WDS can be obtained from the Silicon Labs web site free of charge at
http://www.silabs.com/Support%20Documents/Software/WDS3-Setup.exe
2.3. Installation Steps
If WDS is already installed on your machine, skip this section.
Note: Before installing this software, local administration rights must be obtained from your network administrator.
1. Start WDS3-Setup.exe.
2. Click “Next” to start the installation process.
3. Accept the license agreement by clicking the check box, and then press the “Next” button.
4. Select the installation folder.
It is recommended to use the default folder, C:\Program Files\Silabs\WDS3
5. When your settings are confirmed, click “Install” to continue.
6. Click “Finish” to close the WDS Installer.
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3. Hardware Setup
After checking the kit contents against Tables 2 and 3, the kit can be put into operation by performing the steps
listed below.
Figure 1. Wireless Motherboard Top Markings
1. Insert an RF Pico board into the connectors labeled as CON1 and CON2 on the Wireless Motherboard
(WMB).
2. Insert a UPPI-930-RF MCU Pico Board into the connectors, J5, J6, J7, and J8, on the WMB. The dotted
corner of the F930 MCU has to point to the triangle symbol on the WMB.
3. Connect the antenna to the SMA connector on the RF Pico Board.
4. Set the SUPPLY SELECT switch to the USB position.
5. Set the MCU DC/DC switch to the OFF position.
6. Ensure that all the CURRENT MEASUREMENT jumpers are in place.
7. Start the WDS on your PC.
8. Using one of the USB cables in the kit, connect the WMB to the PC.
9. If necessary wait for Windows to install the debug interface driver.
10. WDS must identify the connected board and open an Application Manager window that lists information
about the identified board.
11. Boards are shipped without preloaded software. Sample codes can be configured and downloaded to the
MCU from WDS. For details on how to use the WDS, see the WDS User's Guides listed in "4. Useful
Documentation" on page 5".
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3
EZRadioPRO-DK
Figure 2. WDS Application Manager Window
Repeat steps 1 to 9 for the other node of the kit.
The two nodes are now ready for evaluation. Detailed descriptions of the example codes can be found in the
programming guide listed in "4. Useful Documentation" on page 5.
The following is a quick-step guide to performing simple packet TX/RX.
1. Leave both nodes powered from the USB as described above.
2. Select “Radio Configuration Application”.
3. From the Radio Configuration Application window, select “Standard Packet TX” for one node and “Standard
Packet RX” for the other node.
4. 4Leave the default parameter settings untouched; simply click “Download project”.
5. Now, the simple TX/RX sample project is running on the boards. When pressing one of the SW1 to SW4
buttons on the TX board, packets are sent, and the corresponding LED of LED1 to LED4 lights up during
the transmission. On the RX side, LED1 is always on, while different combinations of LED2 to LED4 light
up during successful packet reception according to the button pressed.
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EZRadioPRO-DK
4. Useful Documentation
For general information on the EZRadioPRO chips, see the following data sheets:
Si406x
Data Sheet
Data Sheet
Si446x Data Sheet
For hardware design guidance, see the following application notes:
Si4362
AN627:
Si4060/Si4460/61 Low-Power PA Matching
Si4460/61/63/64 RF ICs Layout Design Guide
AN643: Si446x/Si4362 RX LNA Matching
AN648: Si4063/Si4463/64 TX Matching
For detailed information on lab measurements and data sheet parameter verification, refer to the following
application notes:
AN629:
AN655:
Range Test Application for EZRadio® and EZRadioPRO®
AN796: Wireless Development Suite General Description
AN632: WDS User's Guide for EZRadioPRO® Devices
For detailed information on programming the radio, refer to the following documents:
Si406x
API Descriptions
Si4362 API Descriptions
Si446x API Descriptions
AN633: Programming Guide for EZRadioPRO® Si4x6x Devices
Download WDS3 installer
Download Silicon Laboratories IDE installer
More useful documents can be accessed via the EZRadioPRO web pages at
http://www.silabs.com/products/wireless/EZRadioPRO/Pages/default.aspx
Rev. 0.5
5
EZRadioPRO-DK
5. The Wireless Motherboard Hardware Platform
The wireless motherboard platform is a demo, evaluation, and development platform for EZRadioPRO radio ICs. It
consists of a wireless motherboard and interchangeable MCU and RF pico boards.
Figure 3. 8-bit Wireless Motherboard Platform
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EZRadioPRO-DK
5.1. The Wireless Motherboard
MCU Pico Board
RF Pico Board
USB
Communication
and Debug
Interface
Current
Measurement
Pins
External
Power
Supply
Connection
Radio
Test
Pins
Sensor
Module
Connector
Power
Supply
Switch
Radio GPIO
Connectors
MCU DC/DC
Converter
Switch
MCU Test
Pins
Potentiometer
Push Buttons
Reset Button Buzzer
Figure 4. Wireless Motherboard
The wireless motherboard contains four pushbuttons, four LEDs, and a buzzer as simple user interfaces. A
graphical LCD displays menu items for range testing purposes and a potentiometer demonstrates analog
capabilities of the MCU. A switch supports the power options of the MCU's built-in dc/dc converter. Using the
current measurement jumpers, current consumption can be measured separately either for the MCU, the radio, or
the peripherals. The motherboard contains test pins for all I/O pins of the MCU and for all digital pins of the radio. In
addition, there are SMA connectors for the GPIOs of the radio for test equipment connection. A USB
communication interface as well as a built-in Silicon Labs USB-to-C2 debug adapter are integrated onto the board
so that the wireless motherboard (WMB) can be directly connected via USB to the PC for downloading and
debugging code on the MCU.
An interface connection towards sensor modules can also be found. The MCU is also connected to the RF pico
board through a connector pair.
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EZRadioPRO-DK
5.2. Power Scheme
The power source of the platform can be selected with the power supply selector switch “SUPPLY SELECT” on the
WMB board. If this switch is in the ”USB” position, supply voltage is provided by the PC that is connected to the
”J16” mini USB connector. If this switch is in the ”BAT” position, the supply voltage is provided by two AA batteries
in the battery holder on the bottom side of the board. If the ”SUPPLY SELECT” switch is in the ”EXT” position,
supply voltage is provided by an external power source through the ”TP7” and “TP9” points.
Using the ”MCU dc/dc” switch, the internal dc/dc converter of the C88051F930 MCU on the MCU pico board can
be activated if the connected pico board supports this function. If the switch is in ”OFF” position, the MCU's dc/dc
converter is inactive and the supply voltage is only determined by the state of the “SUPPLY SELECT” switch.
Positioning the switch to either ”LDO (1.25 V)” or ”1 CELL” position will turn on the MCU's dc/dc converter by
connecting 1.25–1.5 V supply voltage to the VBAT pin and removing external power from the VDC pin. The MCU
will provide 1.9 V in default setting on its VDC pin to all the other connected loads. Since this current is limited, it
may be necessary to disconnect or disable some loading part of the board. For further details, see the MCU data
sheet and the board schematic. The board schematic can be found in the EZRadioPRO Development Kit User's
Guide. A complete CAD design pack of the board is also available at www.silabs.com.
5.3. RF Pico Board
Figure 5. RF Pico Board Front Side
The RF pico board is a radio module that contains an EZRadioPRO radio IC, matching network and an SMA
connector on the top side. These components apart from the antenna connector are covered by a metal shield for
noise reduction. The digital signals of the radio (SCLK, SDI, SDO, NSEL, SCL, SDA, VDD and GND) can be
accessed on test points at the edge of the board. The boards also have a factory loaded board identification
memory (EBID) on the bottom side that contains data that describes the board properties. Via the unified RF pico
connector pair on the bottom side of the board, any RF pico board can be connected to the WMB.
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Rev. 0.5
EZRadioPRO-DK
Table 4. Connections between the WMB Board and the RF Pico Board
Si446x, Si4362, Si406x, Si4438
WMB
C8051F930
Pin Number
Pin Name
Pin Function
RF Pico board J1
connector
WMB Con2
connector
Pin Name
EP,18
GND
Ground
2
1,2,19,20
GND
8
VDD
Voltage Supply input
1
17,18
VDD
11
NIRQ
Interrupt output
active low
10
7
P0.1
1
SDN
Shutdown input
active high
3
8
P2.3
15
NSEL
SPI select input
6
6
P1.4
12
SCLK
SPI clock input
9
5
P1.0
14
SDI
SPI data input
7
3
P1.2
13
SDO
SPI data output
8
4
P1.1
9
GPIO_0
General Purpose I/O
12
11
P2.6 (2nd)
10
GPIO_1
General Purpose I/O
11
12
P1.3
19
GPIO_2
General Purpose I/O
5
13
P2.5
20
GPIO_3
General Purpose I/O
4
14
P2.4
The schematic of an RF Pico Board can be found in the next chapter. The complete CAD design pack of each RF
pico board type is also available at www.silabs.com.
5.4. Setting up and Connecting the WMB to the PC
Steps for connecting the platform to the PC:
1. Connect an RF Pico Board to the WMB board through the CON1 and CON2 connectors.
2. Insert a UPPI-930-RF MCU pico board in the connectors J5, J6, J7, J8 on the WMB. The dotted corner of
the C8051F930 MCU has to point to the triangle symbol on the WMB.
3. Connect an antenna to the SMA connector on the RF Pico Board.
4. Select the desired power source with the SUPPLY SELECT switch.
5. Ensure that all the CURRENT MEASUREMENT jumpers are in place.
6. Connect the WMB board to a USB port of the PC.
7. Wait for Windows to install the driver of the debug interface if necessary.
Rev. 0.5
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EZRadioPRO-DK
Figure 6. Wireless Motherboard Schematic (1 of 4)
6. Wireless Motherboard Schematics
10
Rev. 0.5
Figure 7. Wireless Motherboard Schematic (2 of 4)
EZRadioPRO-DK
Rev. 0.5
11
Figure 8. Wireless Motherboard Schematic (3 of 4)
EZRadioPRO-DK
12
Rev. 0.5
Figure 9. Wireless Motherboard Schematic (4 of 4)
EZRadioPRO-DK
Rev. 0.5
13
Rev. 0.5
CM3
4.3pF
8.2nH
LM3
CM2
4.3pF
56pF
CC2
RF_GPIO_2
10nH
10nH
RFVDD_TX
CM1
2.7pF
LM1
uPG2214TB
3
6
VC1 OUT2
2
5
RF_IN GND
1
4
VC2 OUT1
U2
RF_GPIO_0
LM2
SJ10
PCB_STICKER_13X25MM
S1 1
PCB sticker
RF Shield
U4
SHIELD_BMI-S-203-F
VPP
VPP
U3
A0 VCC
A1
WP
A2
SCL
VSS SDA
22nH
LR2
3.3pF
C0
SJ1
56pF
RFVDD_TX
100pF
100nF
2.2uF
33pF
C4
1
100nF
C5
Q1
NSEL
SDI
SDO
SCLK
NIRQ
15
14
13
12
11
SI4463
30MHz
RF Section
Figure 10. RF Pico Board
C3
U1
1
SDN
RXP 2 RXP
RXN 3 RXN
TX1 4 TX
5
NC
RF_SDN
TXRAMP
4R7
R7
C2
13nH
L0
C9
3.0pF
CR1
C1
RFVDD
CM
4.7pF
CC3
56pF
CC1
56pF
8
7
6 EBID_SCL
5 EBID_SDA
100nF
24AA64T-I/MNY
1
2
3
4
C11
RF EBID
Si4463 Class-E +20 dBm matching for 915MHz
TRX
50Ohm load
SJ9
120nH
LR1
18nH
LC3
20 RF_GPIO_3
19 RF_GPIO_2
18
17
16
1.0pF
EP
GPIO_3
GPIO_2
GNDX
XIN
XOUT
6
7
8
9
10
VBATA
TXRAMP
VBATD
GPIO_0
GPIO_1
14
EP
CR2
RF_GPIO_1
RF_GPIO_0
RF_NSEL
RF_MOSI
RF_MISO
RF_SCLK
RF_NIRQ
RFP1
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
RF_GPIO_1
RF_GPIO_3
RF_MISO
RF_NSEL
RF_SDN
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
17
19
RFP2
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
EBID_SDA
VPP
RF_SDN
RF_GPIO_3
RF_GPIO_2
RF_NSEL
RF_MOSI
RF_MISO
RF_SCLK
RF_NIRQ
RF_GPIO_1
RF_GPIO_0
RFVDD
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
J1
SFH31-NPPB-D10-SP_ASSYMETRIC
EBID_SCL
VPP
VPP
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
17
19
SFH31-NPPB-D10-SP_ASSYMETRIC
RFVDD
RF_GPIO_0
RF_GPIO_2
RF_MOSI
RF_SCLK
RF_NIRQ
RFVDD
EZRadioPRO-DK
Figure 11. UPPI-930-RF MCU Pico Board Schematic (1 of 2)
EZRadioPRO-DK
Rev. 0.5
15
Figure 12. UPPI-930-RF MCU Pico Board Schematic (2 of 2)
EZRadioPRO-DK
16
Rev. 0.5
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Disclaimer
Silicon Laboratories intends to provide customers with the latest, accurate, and in-depth documentation of all peripherals and modules available for system and software implementers
using or intending to use the Silicon Laboratories products. Characterization data, available modules and peripherals, memory sizes and memory addresses refer to each specific
device, and "Typical" parameters provided can and do vary in different applications. Application examples described herein are for illustrative purposes only. Silicon Laboratories
reserves the right to make changes without further notice and limitation to product information, specifications, and descriptions herein, and does not give warranties as to the accuracy
or completeness of the included information. Silicon Laboratories shall have no liability for the consequences of use of the information supplied herein. This document does not imply
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