Silicon Laboratories BRD4258B User manual

UG320: EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm

Dual Band Radio Board and Wireless

Starter Kit User's Guide

A Wireless Starter Kit with the BRD4258B Radio Board is an ex-

cellent starting point to get familiar with the EFR32™ Flex Gecko

Wireless System-on-Chip, and it provides all necessary tools for

developing a Silicon Labs wireless application.

BRD4258B is a plug-in board for the Wireless Starter Kit Mainboard. It is a complete ref-

erence design for the EFR32FG14 Wireless SoC, with matching networks for 19 dBm

output power, a 2.4 GHz PCB antenna, and an SMA connector for the 169 MHz band.

The Wireless Starter Kit Mainboard contains an on-board J-Link debugger with a Packet

Trace Interface and a Virtual COM port, enabling application development and debug-

ging the attached radio board as well as external hardware. The Mainboard also con-

tains sensors and peripherals for easy demonstration of some of the EFR32's many ca-

pabilities.

This document describes how to use the BRD4258B Radio Board together with a Wire-

less Starter Kit Mainboard.

BRD4258B RADIO BOARD FEATURES

• EFR32FG14 Flex Gecko Wireless SoC

with 256 kB Flash, and 32 kB RAM

(EFR32FG14P233F256GM48)

• Dual band integrated radio transceiver

• 19 dBm output power

• Inverted-F PCB antenna (2.4 GHz)

• SMA antenna connector (169 MHz)

• 8 Mbit low-power serial flash for over-the-

air upgrades.

WIRELESS STK MAINBOARD FEATURES

• Advanced Energy Monitor

• Packet Trace Interface

• Virtual COM Port

• SEGGER J-Link on-board debugger

• External device debugging

• Ethernet and USB connectivity

• Silicon Labs Si7021 Relative Humidity and

Temperature sensor

• Low Power 128x128 pixel Memory LCD

• User LEDs / Pushbuttons

• 20-pin 2.54 mm EXP header

• Breakout pads for Wireless SoC I/O

• CR2032 coin cell battery support

SOFTWARE SUPPORT

• Simplicity Studio™

•Energy Profiler

•Network Analyzer

ORDERING INFORMATION

• SLWSTK6065B

• SLWRB4258B

silabs.com | Building a more connected world. Rev. 1.00

Table of Contents

1. Introduction ................................

1.1 Radio Boards ..............................4

1.2 Ordering Information ...........................4

1.3 Getting Started .............................4

2. Hardware Overview .............................5

2.1 Hardware Layout .............................5

2.2 Block Diagram..............................6

3. Connectors ................................7

3.1 J-Link USB Connector ...........................7

3.2 Ethernet Connector ............................7

3.3 Breakout Pads .............................8

3.4 Expansion Header ............................9

3.4.1 Expansion Header Pin-out .......................10

3.5 Debug Connector.............................11

3.6 Simplicity Connector............................12

3.7 Debug Adapter .............................13

4. Power Supply and Reset .......................... 14

4.1 Radio Board Power Selection ........................14

4.2 Board Controller Power...........................15

4.3 EFR32 Reset ..............................15

5. Peripherals ............................... 16

5.1 Push Buttons and LEDs ..........................16

5.2 Memory LCD-TFT Display..........................17

5.3 Serial Flash ..............................18

5.4 Si7021 Relative Humidity and Temperature Sensor .................19

5.5 Virtual COM Port .............................20

5.5.1 Host Interfaces ...........................21

5.5.2 Serial Configuration ..........................21

5.5.3 Hardware Handshake .........................22

6. Board Controller ............................. 23

6.1 Admin Console .............................23

6.1.1 Connecting .............................23

6.1.2 Built-in Help ............................23

6.1.3 Command Examples .........................24

6.2 Virtual UART ..............................24

7. Advanced Energy Monitor ......................... 25

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7.1 Introduction...............................25

7.2 Theory of Operation ............................25

7.3 AEM Accuracy and Performance .......................26

7.4 Usage ................................26

8. On-Board Debugger ............................ 27

8.1 Host Interfaces .............................27

8.1.1 USB Interface ............................27

8.1.2 Ethernet Interface ..........................27

8.1.3 Serial Number Identification .......................27

8.2 Debug Modes ..............................28

8.3 Debugging During Battery Operation ......................29

9. Kit Configuration and Upgrades ....................... 30

9.1 Firmware Upgrades ............................30

10. Schematics, Assembly Drawings, and BOM .................. 31

11. Kit Revision History ........................... 32

11.1 SLWSTK6065B Revision History .......................32

11.2 SLWRB4258B Revision history........................32

12. Document Revision History ........................ 33

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1. Introduction

The EFR32FG14 Flex Gecko Wireless SoC itself is featured on a Radio Board that forms a complete reference design, including the

RF section and other components.

The Radio Board plugs directly into a Wireless Starter Kit Mainboard. The Mainboard features several tools for easy evaluation and

development of wireless applications. An on-board J-Link debugger enables programming and debugging on the target device over

USB or Ethernet. The Advanced Energy Monitor (AEM) offers real-time current and voltage monitoring. A virtual COM port interface

(VCOM) provides an easy-to-use serial port connection over USB or Ethernet. The Packet Trace Interface (PTI) offers invaluable debug

information about transmitted and received packets in wireless links.

All debug functionality, including AEM, VCOM and PTI, can also be used towards external target hardware instead of the attached radio

board.

To further enhance its usability, the Mainboard contains sensors and peripherals demonstrating some of the many capabilities of the

EFR32FG14.

1.1 Radio Boards

A Wireless Starter Kit consists of one or more mainboards and radio boards that plug into the mainboard. Different radio boards are

available. Each featuring different Silicon Labs devices with different operating frequency bands.

Since the mainboard is designed to work with all different radio boards, the actual pin mapping from a device pin to a mainboard feature

is done on the radio board. This means that each radio board has its own pin mapping to the Wireless Starter Kit features such as

buttons, LEDs, the display, the EXP header and the breakout pads. Because this pin mapping is different for every radio board, it is

important that the correct document be consulted which shows the kit features in context of the radio board plugged in.

This document explains how to use the Wireless Starter Kit when the EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Radio Board (BRD4258B) is

combined with a Mainboard. The combination of these two boards is hereby referred to as a Wireless Starter Kit (Wireless STK).

1.2 Ordering Information

BRD4258B can be obtained as part of the SLWSTK6065B Wireless Starter Kit, or as a separate radio board SLWRB4258B.

Table 1.1. Ordering Information

Part Number Description Contents

SLWSTK6065B EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz Wireless

Starter Kit

2x BRD4001A Wireless Starter Kit Mainboard

2x BRD4258B EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Dual Band Radio Board

2x 169 MHz dipole antenna (Laird EXH170SM)

2x USB Type A to Mini-B cable

1x BRD8010A Debug Adapter

SLWRB4258B EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm

Dual Band Radio Board

1x BRD4258B EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Dual Band Radio Board

1x 169 MHz dipole antenna (Laird EXH170SM)

1.3 Getting Started

Detailed instructions for how to get started can be found on the Silicon Labs web pages:

http://www.silabs.com/start-efr32fg

UG320: EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Dual Band Radio Board and Wireless Starter Kit User's Guide

Introduction

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2. Hardware Overview

2.1 Hardware Layout

The layout of the EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Wireless Starter Kit is shown in the figure below.

On-board USB and

Ethernet J-Link

Debugger

Radio Board Breakout Pads Plug-in Radio Board

Si7021 Humidity and

Temperature Sensor

EXP-header for

expansion boards

Serial-port, packet trace and Advanced

Energy Monitoring header

ARM Coresight 19-pin

trace/debug header

Ultra-low power 128x128

pixel memory LCD,

buttons and LEDs

Battery or

USB power

USB-serial-port

Packet-trace

Advanced Energy

Monitoring

Figure 2.1. Kit Hardware Layout

UG320: EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Dual Band Radio Board and Wireless Starter Kit User's Guide

Hardware Overview

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2.2 Block Diagram

An overview of the EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Wireless Starter Kit is shown in the figure below.

Debug

USB Mini-B

Connector

UART

RJ-45 Ethernet

Connector

Packet Trace

AEM

Multiplexer

Debug

UART

ETM Trace

Packet Trace

AEM

Debug

UART

Packet Trace

AEM

Simplicity

Connector

Debug

Connector

Board

Controller

OUT

MCU

SMA

Connector

EFR32FG14

Wireless SoC

ETM Trace

128 x 128 pixel

Memory LCD

I2C

Si7021

Temperature

& Humidity

Sensor

SPI 8 Mbit

MX25R

Serial Flash

GPIO

EXP

Header

User Buttons

& LEDs

GPIO

SMA

Connector

SMA

Connector

F_SUBG RF

2.4 GHz RF

Inverted-F

PCB Antenna

Figure 2.2. Kit Block Diagram

UG320: EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Dual Band Radio Board and Wireless Starter Kit User's Guide

Hardware Overview

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3. Connectors

This chapter gives you an overview of the Wireless STK Mainboard connectivity. The placement of the connectors can be seen in the

figure below.

Simplicity

Connector

In/Out Debug

Header

GND

P25

P24

P27

P26

P29

P28

P31

P30

P33

P32

P35

P34

P37

P36

P39

P38

P41

P40

P43

P42

P45

P44

GND

Radio Board

Connectors

Expansion

Header

GND

VMCU

P11

P10

P13

P12

P15

P14

P17

P16

P19

P18

P21

P20

GND

P23

P22

VRF

3V3

Ethernet

Connector

J-Link USB

Connector

Figure 3.1. Mainboard Connector Layout

3.1 J-Link USB Connector

The J-Link USB connector is situated on the left side of the Wireless Starter Kit mainboard. Most of the kit's development features are

supported through this USB interface when connected to a host computer, including:

• Debugging and programming of the target device using the on-board J-Link debugger

• Communication with the target device over the virtual COM port using USB-CDC

• Accurate current profiling using the Advanced Energy Monitor

In addition to providing access to development features of the kit, this USB connector is also the main power source for the kit. USB 5V

from this connector powers the board controller and the Advanced Energy Monitor. It is recommended that the USB host be able to

supply at least 500 mA to this connector, although the actual current required will vary depending on the application.

3.2 Ethernet Connector

The Ethernet connector provides access to all of the Wireless Starter Kit's development features over TCP/IP. The Ethernet interface

provides some additional development features to the user. Supported features include:

• Debugging and programming of the target device using the on-board J-Link debugger

• Communication with the target device over the virtual COM port using TCP/IP socket 4901

• "VUART" communication with the target device over the debug SWD/SWO interface using TCP/IP socket 4900

• Accurate current profiling using the Advanced Energy Monitor

• Packet Trace interface supports real-time radio packet and network analysis

• The "Admin Console", a telnet console that gives access to advanced configuration options, using TCP/IP socket 4902

Please note that the Wireless Starter Kit cannot be powered using the Ethernet connector, so in order to use this interface, the USB

connector must be used to provide power to the board.

UG320: EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Dual Band Radio Board and Wireless Starter Kit User's Guide

Connectors

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3.3 Breakout Pads

Most pins of the EFR32 are routed from the radio board to breakout pads at the top and bottom edges of the Wireless STK Mainboard.

A 2.54 mm pitch pin header can be soldered on for easy access to the pins. The figure below shows you how the pins of the EFR32

maps to the pin numbers printed on the breakout pads. To see the available functions on each, please refer to the data sheet for

EFR32FG14P233F256GM48.

GND

VMCU

P23 / NC

P21 / NC

P19 / NC

P17 / NC

GND

P15 / NC

P13 / PC11 / EXP16 / I2C_SDA

P11 / PA1 / EXP14 / VCOM_RX

P9 / PA0 / EXP12 / VCOM_TX

P7 / PC9 / EXP10

P5 / PC8 / EXP8 / FLASH_SCLK / DISP_SCLK

P3 / PC7 / EXP6 / FLASH_MISO

P1 / PC6 / EXP4 / FLASH_MOSI / DISP_SI

VRF

GND

VMCU

PTI_SYNC / PB13 / P22

PTI_DATA / PB12 / P20

PTI_CLK / PB11 / P18

VCOM_ENABLE / PA5 / P16

GND

FLASH_SCS / PA4 / P14

I2C_SCL / EXP15 / PC10 / P12

DBG_TDI / EXP13 / PF3 / P10

LED0 / EXP11 / PF4 / P8

BTN1 / EXP9 / PF7 / P6

BTN0 / EXP7 / PF6 / P4

VCOM_RTS / EXP5 / PA3 / P2

VCOM_CTS / EXP3 / PA2 / P0

VRF

J101

GNDGND

5V5V

NCNC

P45 / NCNC / P44

P43 / NCNC / P42

P41 / NCNC / P40

3V33V3

P39 / NCNC / P38

P37 / PD15 / DISP_ENABLE / SENSOR_ENABLENC / P36

P35 / PD15 / DISP_ENABLE / SENSOR_ENABLENC / P34

P33 / PD14 / DISP_SCSLED1 / PF5 / P32

P31 / PD13 / DISP_EXTCOMINNC / P30

P29 / NCDBG_TDO_SWO / PF2 / P28

P27 / NCDBG_TMS_SWDIO / PF1 / P26

P25 / NCDBG_TCK_SWCLK / PF0 / P24

GNDGND

J102

Figure 3.2. Radio Board Pin Mapping on Breakout Pads

UG320: EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Dual Band Radio Board and Wireless Starter Kit User's Guide

Connectors

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3.4 Expansion Header

On the right hand side of the Wireless STK Mainboard an angled 20-pin expansion header is provided to allow connection of peripher-

als or plugin boards. The connector contains a number of I/O pins that can be used with most of the EFR32 Flex Gecko's features.

Additionally, the VMCU, 3V3 and 5V power rails are also exported.

The connector follows a standard which ensures that commonly used peripherals such as an SPI, a UART and an I2C bus are available

on fixed locations in the connector. The rest of the pins are used for general purpose IO. This allows the definition of expansion boards

that can plug into a number of different Silicon Labs Starter Kits.

The figure below shows the pin assignment of the expansion header. Because of limitations in the number of available GPIO pins,

some of the expansion header pins are shared with kit features.

1516

20 19

VMCU

SPI_MOSI / PC6

SPI_MISO / PC7

SPI_CLK / PC8

SPI_CS / PC9

UART_TX / PA0

UART_RX / PA1

I2C_SDA / PC11

3V3

GND

PA2 / GPIO

PA3 / GPIO

PF6 / GPIO

PF7 / GPIO

PF4 / GPIO

PF3 / GPIO

PC10 / I2C_SCL

Board ID SDA

Board ID SCL

Reserved (Board Identification)

EFR32 I/O Pin

Figure 3.3. Expansion Header

UG320: EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Dual Band Radio Board and Wireless Starter Kit User's Guide

Connectors

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3.4.1 Expansion Header Pin-out

The pin-routing on the EFR32 is very flexible, so most peripherals can be routed to any pin. However, many pins are shared between

the Expansion Header and other functions on the Wireless STK Mainboard. Table 3.1 Expansion Header Pinout on page 10 includes

an overview of the mainboard features that share pins with the Expansion Header.

Table 3.1. Expansion Header Pinout

Pin Connection EXP Header function Shared feature Peripheral mapping

20 3V3 Board controller supply

18 5V Board USB voltage

16 PC11 I2C_SDA SENSOR_I2C_SDA I2C0_SDA #16

14 PA1 UART_RX VCOM_RX USART0_RX #0

12 PA0 UART_TX VCOM_TX USART0_TX #0

10 PC9 SPI_CS - USART1_CS #11

8 PC8 SPI_SCLK FLASH_SCLK, DISP_SCLK USART1_CLK #11

6 PC7 SPI_MISO FLASH_MISO USART1_RX #11

4 PC6 SPI_MOSI FLASH_MOSI, DISP_SI USART1_TX #11

2 VMCU EFR32 voltage domain, included in AEM measurements.

19 BOARD_ID_SDA Connected to Board Controller for identification of add-on boards.

17 BOARD_ID_SCL Connected to Board Controller for identification of add-on boards.

15 PC10 I2C_SCL SENSOR_I2C_SCL I2C0_SCL #14

13 PF3 GPIO DBG_TDI

11 PF4 GPIO LED0

9 PF7 GPIO BTN1

7 PF6 GPIO BTN0

5 PA3 GPIO VCOM_RTS

3 PA2 GPIO VCOM_CTS

1 GND Ground

Note: Pin PF3 is used for DBG_TDI in JTAG mode only. When the Serial Wire Debugging interface (SWD) is used, PF3 can be used

for other purposes.

UG320: EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Dual Band Radio Board and Wireless Starter Kit User's Guide

Connectors

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