Micrel MICRF405 User manual

MICRF405

User Manual for Development System

315MHz

433MHz

868MHz

915MHz

FW v.2

Micrel Norway AS

Strandveien 13 * 1366 LYSAKER * Norway

Tel: +47 67 83 08 00 * Fax: +47 67 83 08 10

MCRF405: User Manual for Development System, FW v.2

Micrel Norway, Oslo Norway 1

Table of contents:

1. Introduction.................................................................................................................2

2. Development Board Inputs/Outputs ........................................................................... 5

2.1. Summary of DIP-Switch Settings....................................................................... 6

3. Getting Started............................................................................................................ 7

4. RF Test Modes............................................................................................................ 8

5. Packet format in “Link Test” and “Simple Byte Transfer” Modes .......................... 12

5.1. Packet format, Type 1 and Type 2.................................................................... 12

Packet format, Type 1............................................................................................... 13

Packet format, Type 2............................................................................................... 14

6. Link Test Mode......................................................................................................... 15

7. Interface in Simple Byte Transfer Mode .................................................................. 17

8. Simple Byte Transfer Mode...................................................................................... 19

9. PC program “RF TestBench”.................................................................................... 21

10. Firmware change/upgrade..................................................................................... 23

11. Changes in this Firmware Version........................................................................ 24

12. MICRF405 Development System: Firmware Description ................................... 25

12.1. Project........................................................................................................... 25

12.2. Tools ............................................................................................................. 25

12.3. File Structure................................................................................................. 26

12.4. #defines in Source Files................................................................................ 27

12.5. Source File Description................................................................................. 27

12.6. Flow Charts................................................................................................... 34

MCRF405: User Manual for Development System, FW v.2

Micrel Norway, Oslo Norway 2

1. Introduction

This document, “MICRF405 User Manual for Development System” describes the

features of the development system for MICRF405. For details on the MICRF405

transmitter (a product in the RadioWireTM product line): Please refer to the appropriate

data sheet. For the latest updates on products related to RadioWireTM, please visit

www.micrel.com.

The MICRF405 can be used in several frequency bands. Several development systems

are made:

For the

•315MHz band,

•433.92MHz band,

•868MHz band and

•915MHz band

Default frequencies are selected to match the MICRF600, MICRF610 and MICRF620

development systems. The MICRF6x0 modules are using a MICRF505 or MICRF506

transceiver chip. They can be used to receive the signals transmitted by the MICRF405

development system (of course, any adequate receiver can be used, but the development

systems for these modules match the development system for the MICRF405):

•For the 433.92MHz band, MICRF620 can be used as a receiver

•For the 868MHz band, MICRF610 can be used as a receiver

•For the 915MHz band, MICRF600 can be used as a receiver

The operation and features of the development system are equal for all frequency bands.

The main differences are the frequency band, bit rate and number of frequency channels:

Dev System

for frequency

band

Modulation On-the-air

bit rate

(bps)

Manchester

coded

Number of

frequencies

315MHz Modulation

using 2 sets

of dividers

19231 No 1

433.92MHz Modulation

using 2 sets

of dividers

19231 No 4

868MHz Modulation

using 2 sets

of dividers

15152 No 2

915MHz Modulation

using 2 sets

of dividers

19231 No 25

MCRF405: User Manual for Development System, FW v.2

Micrel Norway, Oslo Norway 3

Note that all development systems for MICRF405 have the same firmware1version, and

all source files are available in a common set of files (a “Project”).

Outline of this document:

Following this introduction, an overview of the board’s inputs/outputs is given. Then a

Get-started chapter is included, and the different modes of operation are described. An

overview of how to program/update the firmware is also included. Finally, a list of

changes for this firmware version is given, as well as a description of the firmware.

Purpose of the Development system:

The development system provides hands-on experience with the MICRF405 transmitter.

The user can use the included firmware and hardware, or make a new program and flash

it into the micro controller. That is, the user can use the boards both to evaluate the

MICRF405, and as an aid in the development of a radio communication system.

A separate PC program is available. Through this program, it is possible to set the

programming word for the MICRF405 (both the frequency dividers and the control bits

can be set). This program is referred to as “RF TestBench”. Please observe: It is possible

to read out the firmware version of the development board via RF TestBench.

Main modes of operation of the Development system:

•RF Test Modes. The user can test the RF properties of the transmitter. It is possible

to transmit a 1010… pattern, a random pattern or a carrier. In addition, the user can

select to bypass the micro controller (MCU) completely (i.e. tristate all IOs of the

MCU), and control the RF part via header pins, e.g. by an external micro controller.

In addition, transmitting packets using ASK is one of the test modes.

•Link-Test Mode. In this mode of operation, the development board is a “Master”.

“Messages” (5 printable ascii characters) are transmitted. This mode is useful when

testing radio communication in different environments, testing antennas, testing

encapsulation etc. MICRF6x0 development systems can be used to receive the

messages.

•Simple Byte Transfer Mode. In this mode, the user can enter a number of bytes into

a development board (using e.g. a PC). The board will then transmit the bytes. A 64-

byte deep buffer is implemented. Only 1 frequency is used. MICRF6x0 development

systems can be used to receive the transmitted bytes.

1“Firmware” (FW) = the program used in the micro controller

MCRF405: User Manual for Development System, FW v.2

Micrel Norway, Oslo Norway 4

Development System Features:

•Pre-programmed frequencies (centre RF frequencies, i.e. middle of “tx0” and “tx1”)

•315MHz band: 1 frequency, f0=315.00MHz

•433.92MHz band: 4 frequencies, f0=433.43MHz, f1=433.71MHz,

f2=434.00MHz, f3=434.29 MHz

•868MHz band: 2 frequencies, f0=868.31MHz, f1=868.95MHz

•915MHz band: 25 frequencies, f0=904.30MHz, …, f12=915.25MHz, … ,

f24=926.25MHz

•Default frequencies (used in RF test mode and Simple byte transfer mode):

Dev System

for frequency

band

TX0 (MHz)

TX1 (MHz)

Centre freq =

(TX1+TX0)/2

(MHz)

Single-sided

deviation =

(TX1-TX0)/2 (kHz)

315MHz 314.909091 315.087719 314.998405 89

433.92MHz 433.333333 433.517241 433.425287 92

868MHz 868.210526 868.400000 868.305263 95

915MHz 915.151515 915.354839 915.253177 102

Note: for the frequencies used in ASK test mode, refer to the section “ASK Test Mode”.

•Automatic hopping

•In ”Link Test Mode”: Development board jump to a new frequency channel

approx 10 times/sec. Channels are used randomly

•Flash-based micro controller (PIC18LF4320) for easy firmware upgrade/testing. Plug

directly into ICD2 from Microchip.

•Antenna: External antenna

•User interface: Asynchronous serial interface: RS232-level or logic level I/O pins

(9600-8-N-1)

•4 DIP switches to select mode of operation

•1 LED to indicate power on

•1 LED to indicate RF powered

•4 LEDs to indicate status or control information

•Possible to use 5 external I/O pins (for user FW development)

•Possible to monitor the interface between RF chip and micro controller via header

pins

•Possible to measure RF-part power consumption

Power supply:

•6 - 9 volt DC

•Apply “ - “ to the centre pin (note!)

External antenna connector:

Type: SMA

MCRF405: User Manual for Development System, FW v.2

Micrel Norway, Oslo Norway 5

2. Development Board Inputs/Outputs

RS232 connector

9-pin D-sub

Power supply/battery

6-9 volt

Center pin: “-“

ICSP connector DIP-switches 1,2,3,4

Note the “ON” position

SMA antenna

connector

Header for

MICRF405 interface

1: SRV

2: SEN

3: SIO

4: SCK

5: DATAIN

6: RDY/DATACLK

7: CLKOUT

8: LD

9: GND

Header for optional ext-

ernal I/O (not mounted)

DTE_RTS

jumper A

DTE_CTS

jumper B

DTE_RX

jumper C

DTE_TX

jumper D

LED1

LED2

LED3

LED4

RF power

measurement

MICRF405 RF

Transmitter

Power LED RF Power LED

MCRF405: User Manual for Development System, FW v.2

Micrel Norway, Oslo Norway 6

2.1.Summary of DIP-Switch Settings

To select mode of operation, bring DIP-switches ON or OFF according to the table

below.

The modes of operation (described in detail in the following sections) are:

•“RF Test Modes”: Enter TX mode, TX a carrier, TX 1010… or a random pattern,

enter PC-configurable mode or bypass (tristate) micro controller for user-

operation of the RF part, enter ASK test mode

•“Link Test Mode”: Use a development board to transmit a fixed packet

•“Simple Byte Transfer Mode”: Construct a packet based on user input (from e.g. a

PC) and transmit it

The 4 DIP-switches (labelled 1 2 3 4) are placed in a single component. In addition “ON”

is written on the component. In the table below, “1” means “ON”, “0” means “OFF”.

DIP1 DIP2 DIP3 DIP4 Mode of operation

------------------------------------------------------------------

0 0 0 0 Simple byte transfer mode, type 1

0 0 0 1 Simple byte transfer mode, type 2

0 0 1 0 not used

0 0 1 1 not used

0 1 0 0 RF Test, Tristate all uC I/Os

0 1 0 1 RF Test, Transmit a random pattern

0 1 1 0 RF Test, ASK Test Mode

0 1 1 1 not used

1 0 0 0 Link Test, 5 bytes payload, type 1

1 0 0 1 Link Test, 5 bytes payload, type 2

1 0 1 0 Link Test, 26 bytes payload, type 1

1 0 1 1 Link Test, 26 bytes payload, type 2

1 1 0 0 not used

1 1 0 1 RF Test, Transmit 1010 ...

1 1 1 0 RF Test, Transmit carrier

1 1 1 1 RF Test, PC-mode

"Type 1": (this refers to the format of the packets transmitted)

"Framelength" = length of "Framelength", "Payload" and "CRC".

CRC (2 bytes) is calc'ed by firmware on "Framelength" and "Payload" fields

Compatible with MICRF6x0 Link Test/Simple byte transfer mode

"Type 2": (this refers to the format of the packets transmitted)

"Framelength" = length of "Payload" and "CRC"

CRC (0, 1 or 2 bytes) is calc'ed on-chip (by MICRF405) on "Payload" field

"Packet Engine" data interface used in "Simple byte transfer mode" and "Link Test"

"Bitwise" data interface used in "Transmit 1010 ..." and "Transmit random"

MCRF405: User Manual for Development System, FW v.2

Micrel Norway, Oslo Norway 7

3. Getting Started

Before power-up of the development board:

•Get familiar with the inputs/outputs (refer to “Development Board

Inputs/Outputs”)

•Select mode of operation via DIP-switches

•If Simple Byte Transfer Mode is selected: Select interface to user data. Insert the

4 jumpers “DTE_RTS”, “DTE_CTS”, “DTE_RX”, “DTE_TX” to select RS232

interface. Remove the jumpers to select “logic level” interface (connect to e.g.

another micro controller).

As a first step, it is suggested to set the development board in transmit 1010… mode

(DIP1, 2 and 4 ON). Use an oscilloscope, a spectrum analyzer, a MICRF6x0 dev system

or your own receiver board to monitor/receive the transmitted signals.

Enter PC-mode (all DIPs ON) and use the PC-program (RF TestBench) to change the

frequency, output power and bitrate.

If you are using a development system for the 433.92MHz, 868MHz or 915MHz band,

and you have the corresponding MICRF6x0 development system available, you can try

the Link Test Mode (only DIP1 ON). On the MICRF6x0 board, make sure DIP1 and

DIP4 are ON. This will be the “Slave”. Try to increase/decrease the distance between the

boards, and observe LED1 on the MICRF6x0 board. LED1 (MICRF6x0 board) will be

on as long as the link is OK.

Set the board in Simple Byte Transfer Mode (all DIPs OFF). Connect it to a PC running

HyperTerminal. Send characters or text files via the board. Note: No ARQ is used –

number of “data packets” getting through depends on link quality. Make sure the cable is

1:1, and that RTS, CTS, TX, RX and GND are used. Make sure the data format is 9600-

8-N-1 and hardware handshake is used. Also make sure the jumpers for RS232-use are in

place.

MCRF405: User Manual for Development System, FW v.2

Micrel Norway, Oslo Norway 8

4. RF Test Modes

In the RF Test Modes, only 1 frequency is used. If not changed via the PC program2, the

frequency is:

•315MHz band: 315.00MHz

•433.92MHz band: 433.43MHz

•868MHz band: 868.31MHz

•915MHz band: 915.25MHz

Note: for the frequencies used in ASK test mode, refer to the section “ASK Test Mode”.

DIP-switch setting (“1” means “ON”, “0” means “OFF”):

Combin. # DIP1 DIP2 DIP3 DIP4 Text

1 1 1 0 0 Not used in this firmware version

2 1 1 0 1 Transmit 1010 …

3 1 1 1 0 Transmit carrier

4 1 1 1 1 Enable configuration via PC

5 0 1 0 0 Bypass micro controller

6 0 1 0 1 Transmit a random pattern

7 0 1 1 0 ASK Test Mode

Use of LEDs:

LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4: Not used in RF Test Modes.

Combination #1, Not used

Combination #2, Transmit 1010… :

The board will enter transmit mode and transmit a 1010… pattern. Combination #2 can

be used to test parameters like deviation and transmit spectrum. Use a MICRF6x0

development board or your own rx-board to receive the signals, or observe the spectrum

on a spectrum analyzer.

Combination #3, Transmit carrier:

The board will enter transmit mode and transmit a carrier, that is: no modulation is

applied. This can be used to check the frequency spectrum, the output power, and the

current consumption. Note that the “TX0” frequency is used for the MICRF405.

2Refer to chapter 9 and chapter 4 (“Combination #4”).

MCRF405: User Manual for Development System, FW v.2

Micrel Norway, Oslo Norway 9

Combination #4, Enable configuration via PC:

This setting is also referred to as “PC mode”.

Refer to the chapter called “PC-Program” (chapter 9) for details on the PC program.

Make sure the 4 jumpers “DTE_RTS”, “DTE_CTS”, “DTE_RX” and “DTE_TX” are in

place.

If the power-LEDs are off: Make sure the board is powered-on without the RS232 cable

connected, and then connect the RS232 cable.

Entering “PC mode”: Before any command is given from the PC, the RF chip will stay in

the mode selected before “PC mode” was selected (transmit/standby etc).

While in “PC mode”: When a control word is sent from the PC to the board, the board

will store the entered word in EEPROM and program the RF chip with it. The complete

control word is written into the MICRF405 in a single operation.

It is possible to transfer a control word from any of the 3 “Transfer” buttons (PC program

buttons, refer to the RF TestBench user guide):

•Quick Setup or

•Complete Setup or

•Control Word

When leaving “PC mode”: The board will use the default control word already

programmed into the FLASH program memory, or it will use the control word entered

from the PC program and stored in the EEPROM. Which one to select (the source of the

control word) is selected in the PC program (selectÆTools ÆDevelopment Board

Commands)3.

From the PC program, try e.g. to change the output power level (PA setting) and observe

the effect on spectrum, power consumption and link range.

Note: If using the PC program to read out the contents of the MICRF405 registers: Make

sure to have no external load on the SIO and SCK pins, or else you might get some

unwanted results.

3The “EEPROM control word” can be used in “RF Test Modes”, “Link Test Mode” and “Simple Byte

Transfer Mode”. If the “EEPROM control word” is used in “Link Test Mode”: No frequency jumping is

done – only the user-entered control word stored in EEPROM will be used.

Other manuals for MICRF405

Table of contents

Other Micrel Microcontroller manuals

Micrel

Micrel KSZ8862-16MQL User manual

Micrel

Micrel KSZ8842-16MQL User manual

Popular Microcontroller manuals by other brands

AMS

AMS AS7261 Demo Kit user guide

Novatek

Novatek NT6861 manual

Espressif Systems

Espressif Systems ESP8266 SDK AT Instruction Set

Nuvoton

Nuvoton ISD61S00 ChipCorder Design guide

STMicrolectronics

STMicrolectronics ST7 Assembler Linker user manual

Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments Chipcon CC2420DK user manual

Lantronix

Lantronix Intrinsyc Open-Q 865XR SOM user guide

NEC

NEC 78GK0S/K 1+ Series Application note

Mikroe

Mikroe SEMITECH N-PLC Click Application note

Intel

Intel Agilex user guide

Cypress

Cypress CY4607 HX2VL quick start guide

DIGITAL-LOGIC

DIGITAL-LOGIC MICROSPACE manual

Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments TMS320F2837 D Series Workshop Guide and Lab Manual

CYPRES

CYPRES CY14NVSRAMKIT-001 user guide

Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments INA-DUAL-2AMP-EVM user guide

Espressif Systems

Espressif Systems ESP8266EX Programming guide

Abov

Abov AC33M8128L user manual

Laird

Laird BL654PA user guide