Silicon Laboratories QSG102 User manual

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QSG102: Thread Border Router Add-On Kit

Quick-Start Guide

The Silicon Labs Thread Border Router Add-On Kit (RD-0004-

0201) adds a border router demonstration system to the EM35x

Development Kit (EM35x-DEV) or EFR32 Mighty Gecko Wireless

SoC Start Kit (SLWSTK6000A).

This document describes the Thread Border Router Kit, how to setup required hardware

and install required software, and how to demonstrate the Thread Border Router.

KEY FEATURES

•Set up the Thread Border Router Hard-

ware

•Set up the Thread End Node Hardware

•Install Simplicity Studio

•Install the Border Router Software

•Install the Thread End Device Software

•Install the Android or iOS Device Software

•Demonstrate the Thread Border Router

•Resources

QSG102: Thread Border Router Add-On Kit Quick-Start Guide

Introduction

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1 Introduction

A border router is an essential component of a Thread network that manages the traffic between the Thread network and adjacent IP

networks. A border router facilitates a number of key capabilities including the following:

•Commissioning of Thread nodes

•GUA (Global Unicast Address) or ULA (Unique Local Address) assignment

•IP routing between the Thread network and adjacent IP networks

The Silicon Labs Thread Border Router Add-On Kit (RD-0004-0201) adds a border router demonstration system to the EM35x Develop-

ment Kit (EM35x-DEV) and EFR32 Mighty Gecko Wireless SoC Starter Kit (SLWSTK6000A). This document describes:

•Setting up the Thread Border Router Hardware

•Setting up the Thread End Node Hardware

•Installing Simplicity Studio

•Installing the Border Router Software

•Installing the Thread End Device Software

•Installing the Android or iOS Device Software

•Demonstrating the Thread Border Router

•Accessing other resources

This document refers to the Thread Border Router version 0.6.0, which requires Thread stack version 2.1.1 GA, or later. Thread Border

Router version 0.6.0 offers:

•Important bug fixes

•Support for EFR32 Mighty Gecko Wireless SoC Start Kit

•Support for the Thread Group commissioning app for Android or iOS

•Expanded support for IPv6 end-to-end routing

•Support for package manager installation

•Support for command line updating of NCP software

Typical Thread Border Router setups are shown in the following figures, and include:

•Thread Border Router with Wi-Fi Access Point and Web Server

•Thread End Devices such as EM3588 Development Kit or EFR32 Mighty Gecko Wireless SoC Starter Kit

•Web Browser Device such as a handset, tablet or PC

•Commissioning device such as an Android or iOS handset

•IPv6 Ethernet Connectivity

You may choose to commission end devices using the Thread Group commissioning app for Android or iOS, or you may choose to use

pre-commissioned devices that do not require the commissioning app. The default is the pre-commissioned configuration. Instructions

for configuration are provided in section Install the Border Router Software and Install the Thread End Device Software.

QSG102: Thread Border Router Add-On Kit Quick-Start Guide

Set Up the Thread Border Router Hardware

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2 Set Up the Thread Border Router Hardware

2.1 Unpack the Thread Border Router

The Thread Border Router Add-On Kit contains:

•Raspberry Pi 2 Model B with case, also referred to as the Thread Border Router

•MicroSD card with Raspberry Pi 2 B operating system pre-installed

•Edimax USB Wi-Fi Adapter, providing a Wi-Fi network for demonstration purposes

•CEL EM3588 USB Thread Adapter NCP (network co-processor)

•Power supply

ATTENTION: Observe precautions for handling electrostatic sensitive devices.

2.2 Connect and Power On the Thread Border Router

The Thread Border Router hardware is preassembled out of the box. The remaining steps are:

1. Connect the USB Wi-Fi Adapter to one of the Raspberry Pi’s USB ports (if not already connected).

2. Connect the CEL EM3588 USB Thread Adapter NCP to one of the Raspberry Pi’s USB ports.

3. Connect a monitor to the HDMI port and a keyboard to a free USB port. It is possible to login remotely to the Thread Border Router

with a utility such as PuTTY or ssh. Refer to UG116: Developing Custom Border Router Applications, for more information.

4. Plug in the Thread Border Router power supply. In the following steps you will power the Thread Border Router on and off by con-

necting and disconnecting its power supply. The red power LED will illuminate on the Border Router and the green activity LED will

blink until the boot process has completed.

QSG102: Thread Border Router Add-On Kit Quick-Start Guide

Set Up the Thread End Node Hardware

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3 Set Up the Thread End Node Hardware

The EM35x-DEV or SLWSTK6000A development kit is required to set up Thread End Node hardware and obtain a software registration

and support key. Three EM35x breakout boards from the EM35x-DEV Development Kit are shown as Thread End Nodes in the first figure

below, and three wireless starter kit mainboards from the EFR32 Mighty Gecko Wireless SoC Starter Kit are shown in the second figure

below. Kits may be ordered from http://www.silabs.com/products/wireless/mesh-networking/zigbee/Pages/zigbee.aspx.

Figure 1 - Thread Border Router System Components with EM35x-DEV Development Kit

Figure 2 - Thread Border Router System Components with EFR32 Mighty Gecko Wireless SoC Starter Kit

QSG102: Thread Border Router Add-On Kit Quick-Start Guide

Set Up the Thread End Node Hardware

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3.1 Option 1: Order the EFR32 Mighty Gecko Wireless SoC Starter Kit (Preferred)

This is the preferred kit for Thread End Nodes because of the performance improvements available with the EFR32 Mighty Gecko. The

EFR32 Mighty Gecko Wireless SoC Starter Kit includes the following:

•3 x Wireless starter kit mainboard

•3 x EFR32MG 2.4 GHz 19.5 dBm radio board

•3 x EFR32MG 2.4 GHz 13 dBm radio board

•AA Battery Board (supports running +19.5 from battery)

•Cables and batteries

•EFR32MG Getting Started Card

•QSG113: Getting Started with Silicon Labs Thread

3.2 Option 2: Order the EM35x-DEV Development Kit with EM3588 modules

The EM35x-DEV Development Kit with EM3588 modules includes the following:

•(3) EM3588 Radio Control Module Board

•(3) EM35x Breakout Board

•(3) EM35x Debug Adapter (ISA3)

•EM35x Module Variety Pack (1 Box with 6 Modules)

•Radio Frequency Cable

•(3) Packet Trace Port Cable

•(3) Data Emulation Interface Cable

•(3) Power Supply and Battery Pack

•8 Port Switch with 4 x Power over Ethernet (PoE) Ports

•QSG101: Getting Started with the EM35x Development Kit (included in development kit)

•QSG113: Getting Started with Silicon Labs Thread

IMPORTANT: Kits purchased before February 2015 shipped with EM357 modules. These kits need to be upgraded with EM3588-MLR-

AN-C or EM3588-M-AN-C modules to include to support Thread. Modules may be ordered from: http://www.silabs.com/products/wire-

less/mesh-networking/Pages/em35x-mesh-networking-kits-zigbee-thread.aspx.

3.3 Register on the Support Portal

Registration allows access to the support portal, and is a necessary step to access required software. The instructions that come with the

EM35x Development Kit and the EFR32 Mighty Gecko Wireless SoC Starter Kit include a unique registration key and explain the regis-

tration procedure.

3.4 Set Up Hardware

Refer to QSG113: Getting Started with Silicon Labs Thread for instructions on setting up EFR32 Mighty Gecko Wireless SoC Starter Kit

and EM35x-DEV Development Kit. The instructions for the EM35x-DEV Development Kit also reference QSG101: Getting Started with

the EM35x Development Kit (included in development kit).

QSG102: Thread Border Router Add-On Kit Quick-Start Guide

Install Simplicity Studio

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4 Install Simplicity Studio

SimplicityStudio is required to flash Thread end node firmware. Refer to QSG113: Getting Started with Silicon Labs Thread, for a detailed

tutorial. The tutorial includes installation and configuration instructions, and describes the process for compiling and running an example

for the EM35x or EFR32MG devices. Simplicity Studio is required for the steps in section Demonstrate the Thread Border Router.

QSG102: Thread Border Router Add-On Kit Quick-Start Guide

Install the Border Router Software

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5 Install the Border Router Software

The following instructions describe how to install software on the USB Thread Adapter NCP and the Border Router hardware.

5.1 Install the Thread Border Router Operating System and Packages

The Thread Border Router package include the border router application, IP driver application, commissioning application, web applica-

tion, and all required drivers and support packages. Note: For these steps it is recommended that you do not remote login to the Thread

Border Router.

1. Power down the Thread Border Router and remove the SD card.

2. Install the Raspbian Jessie Lite operating system on the SD card as described here: https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/rasp-

bian/. Note: All Border Routers shipped after August 1, 2016 include an SD card with the Raspbian Jessie Lite operating system pre-

installed.

3. Install the SD card in the Thread Border Router and power it on.

4. Connect the Raspberry Pi’s Ethernet port to the Internet with an Ethernet cable.

5. Login with the default username “pi” and password “raspberry.”

6. Append the following text to the end of /etc/apt/sources.list:

deb http://devtools.silabs.com/solutions/apt/ jessie main

7. Configure the keys.

$ sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys DE864524

8. Install the silabs-border-router package. Note that you will be asked to accept the Thread Border Router license agreement.

$ sudo apt-get update

$ sudo apt-get install silabs-border-router

$ sudo reboot

9. Configure the border router for commissioning or pre-commissioned operation (default). Edit /etc/siliconlabs/border-router.conf and

set USE_COMMISSIONER 1 for commissioning or USE_COMMISSIONER 0 for pre-commissioned operation. Be certain this

choice matches the choice in Install the Thread End Device Software.

5.2 Install the USB Thread Adapter NCP Software

The NCP software may be installed from the console with the following steps.

1. Stop the border router applications.

$ sudo service border-router-apps stop

2. Start the bootloader. The red LED will illuminate and green LED will flash.

$ cd /opt/siliconlabs/threadborderrouter/tools/ncp-updater

./bootload-ncp-util-app --uart /dev/ttyUSB0 --launchbootloader

3. Update the NCP software and reboot. The red LED will flash.

$ ./bootload-ncp-uart-app /opt/siliconlabs/threadborderrouter/firmware/ncp-uart/em3588/ncp-

uart.ebl 0 -1 -p /dev/ttyUSB0

$ sudo reboot

QSG102: Thread Border Router Add-On Kit Quick-Start Guide

Install the Thread End Device Software

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6 Install the Thread End Device Software

Pre-compiled Thread end node firmware files are distributed with the Thread Border Router file system and provide options for using

commissioning or pre-commissioned configuration. Be certain the selection matches the one made in Install the Border Router Soft-

ware. These files may be transferred from the border router to a host with a utility such as WinSCP or scp as described in UG116:

Developing Custom Border Router Applications.

Device Programming File (Commissioning)

EM3588 /opt/siliconlabs/threadborderrouter/firmware/sensor-actuator-node/em3588/

sensor-actuator-node-commissioning-em3588.s37

EFR32MG /opt/siliconlabs/threadborderrouter/firmware/sensor-actuator-node/efr32mg1p232f256gm48/

sensor-actuator-node-commissioning-efr32mg1p232f256gm48.s37

Device Programming File (Pre-commissioned)

EM3588 /opt/siliconlabs/threadborderrouter/firmware/sensor-actuator-node/em3588/

sensor-actuator-node-pre-commissioned-em3588.s37

EFR32MG /opt/siliconlabs/threadborderrouter/firmware/sensor-actuator-node/efr32mg1p232f256gm48/

sensor-actuator-node-pre-commissioned-efr32mg1p232f256gm48.s37

A bootloader is required, and is available in the border router file system.

Device Bootloader

EM3588 /opt/siliconlabs/threadborderrouter/firmware/sensor-actuator-node/em3588/

app-bootloader-local-storage.s37

EFR32MG /opt/siliconlabs/threadborderrouter/firmware/sensor-actuator-node/efr32mg1p232f256gm48/

app-bootloader-spiflash.s37

IMPORTANT: The device should be erased before programming.

QSG102: Thread Border Router Add-On Kit Quick-Start Guide

Install the Android or iOS Device Software

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7 Install the Android or iOS Device Software

An Android or iOS handset or tablet with the Thread Group commissioning app is required to commission Thread end devices when

commissioning is selected as described in Install the Border Router Software and Install the Thread End Device Software. The

Thread Group commissioning app is distributed in the Google Play store and is also distributed in the Thread Border Router file system.

The file may be transferred from the border router to a host with a utility such as WinSCP or scp as described in UG116: Developing

Custom Border Router Applications. To access the source for the commissioning app, refer to the Thread Group Bitbucket reposi-

tory https://bitbucket.org/threadgroup/, and request access to the repository by through the Thread Group.

Device

Programming File (pre-commissioned)

Android 5.0+ /opt/siliconlabs/threadborderrouter/commissioning/thread-commissioning-app-1.01.01.apk

QSG102: Thread Border Router Add-On Kit Quick-Start Guide

Demonstrate the Thread Border Router

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8 Demonstrate the Thread Border Router

8.1 Start the Border Router

Power on the Thread Border Router.

8.2 Start the End Nodes

Power on each Thread End Node.

Each device has a 64-bit EUI and a fixed, eight-digit, base32 joining passphrase (also called the Joining Device Credential) derived from

the EUI, both of which are required by the commissioning application. The EFR32MG wireless starter kit mainboard display will indicate

the EUI and joining passphrase. The joining passphrase for the EM35x and EFR32MG kits prints to stdout on boot, and the EUI is

available with the info command.

The EFR32MG wireless starter kit mainboard display will indicate the type of node. LED1 on the EM35x and EFR32MG kits also indicate

the type of node:

•Very fast blink with pause (either on or off) = joining

•Fast blink = router

•Slow blink = end node

•Alternating fast and slow blink = leader

8.3 Commission the End Nodes with an Android or iOS Device (optional)

Note: This step is only required if commissioning was configured in Install the Border Router Software and Install the Thread End

Device Software.

1. Connect to the Thread Border RouterWi-Fi Access Point. Select the SSID “Silicon Labs Thread ABCD,”where "ABCD" is an arbitrary

hex number, and enter the passphrase “solutions” when prompted.

2. Launch the Android or iOS commissioning app. The app will search for available Thread networks, request the Thread admin pass-

word, and request an EUI and connect code for each Thread End Node. The Thread admin password is set at compile time by the

Border Router application and printed on stdout immediately after boot. The admin password is “COMMPW1234” for version 0.6.0

of the Thread Border Router.

3. Enter the EUI and connect code for a Thread End Node as noted in section Start the End Nodes. Press on the Thread End Node

Button1 (EM35x kit) or PB1 (EFR32MG kit) to issue a net reset command and scan all available channels for the border router. The

Thread End Node will scan all channels twice and then go idle unless the border router is found. Note:It is important to enter the

connect code on the app first and press Button1/PB1 second.

Hint: Create a QR code at http://goqr.me with using the string format v=1&cc=EL7TUCB0&eui=000B57FFFE07F6B3 where the

version v=1, joining passphrase phrase cc= EL7TUCB0, and EUI=000B57FFFE07F6B3.

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