Atmel AT86RF230, ATAVRR200 User Manual

A T A V R R Z 2 0 0 D e m o n s t r a t i o n K i t
AT86RF230 (2450 MHz band) Radio
Transceiver

..............................................................................................

User Guide

Section 1

1.1 Organization..............................................................................................1-1

1.2 General Description ..................................................................................1-1

1.3 Demonstration kit features ........................................................................1-2

1.4 Included in the kit ......................................................................................1-2

Section 2

2.1 Hardware assembly ..................................................................................2-1

2.2 Starting and using the network..................................................................2-1

Section 3

3.1 Z-Link RCBs..............................................................................................3-1

3.2 Display Board............................................................................................3-1

Section 4

4.1 Channel Scan............................................................................................4-1

4.2 End Device Association & Network Configuration ....................................4-2

4.3 Network Operation ....................................................................................4-2

Section 5

5.1 Starting the network ..................................................................................5-1

5.2 Reconfiguring the network ........................................................................5-3

5.3 Using the network .....................................................................................5-3

Section 6

6.1 Atmel AVR Studio installation ...................................................................6-1

6.2 Overview of the programming process .....................................................6-1

6.2.1 Programming the Display Board.........................................................6-2

6.2.2 Programming the RCB .......................................................................6-2

6.2.3 How to re-program the RCB MAC address ........................................6-3

Section 7

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ii Demonstration Kit User Guide

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Section 1 Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the Atmel® AVR® Z-Link™ ATAVRRZ200 Demon­stration kit. The demonstration kit is intended to exceed a point-to-point demonstration

(Such as two nodes communicating data etc.) The application running on the Z-Link
devices show how it is possible to independently assign them with different functionality
over the wireless link.

1.1 Organization This User Guide describes how to use the Demonstration kit. The remainder of this sub-

section gives a brief description of how the document is organized. Section 2, “Getting
Started” describes how to assemble the hardware, and how to easily start the demon­stration application (configure and monitor the network). Detailed hardware and
software descriptions are contained in Section 3 and Section 4 respectively. Section 5
describes in further detail how to manage the network from a central control unit (The
Display Board). Section 6 contains directions on how to program the AVR microcontrol­ler running the network application on the Radio Controller Boards (RCBs). A
troubleshooting chart can be found in Section 7.

1.2 General
Description

Depending on the application requirements, the LR-WPAN (Low Rate-Wireless Per­sonal Area Network) may operate in either of two topologies: the star topology or the
peer-to-peer topology. Both are shown in Figure 1-1. In the star topology the communi­cation is established between devices and a single central controller, called the PAN
coordinator. A device typically has some associated application and is either the initia­tion point or the termination point for network communications. A PAN coordinator may
also have a specific application, but it can be used to initiate, terminate, or route commu­nication around the network. The PAN coordinator is the primary controller of the PAN
(Personal Area Network). Applications that benefit from a star topology include home
automation, personal computer (PC) peripherals, toys and games, and personal health
care.

The peer-to-peer topology also has a PAN coordinator; however, it differs from the star
topology in that any device can communicate with any other device as long as they are
in range of one another. Peer-to-peer topology allows more complex network formations
to be implemented, such as mesh networking topology.

Self-healing functions can be added at the network/application layers to automatically
replace a failed PAN coordinator. This demonstration kit shows how it is possible to
change the role of a network device over the wireless link. Such functionality is benefi­cial in self-healing networks.

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Figure 1-1. Star and peer-to-peer topology examples

Star Topology

PAN Coordinator

Full Function Device

Reduced Function Device

Communications Flow

Peer-to-Peer Topology

1.3 Demonstration
kit features

1.4 Included in the
kit

 Network devices can be configured and reconfigured wirelessly from a PAN

coordinator (Display Board)

 Simple application interface (pushbutton switches and LEDs)

 Wide application usage

 Choice of RCB application software

 How to use the Atmel IEEE 802.15.4 communication-stack

 Non-beacon-enabled network

 IEEE 802.15.4 compliant

The kit features two component types: the Display Board and the Radio Controller
Boards (RCBs). The following items are included in the kit.

 Display Board (1) with AA Batteries (2)

 AT86RF230 RCBs (5) with PCB Antenna and two AAA Batteries each

 CDROM containing:

– AVR Studio

–WinAVR

®

4

™

20060421

– Atmel RCB and Display Board firmware

–User Guide

 AVRISP mkII In-System Programmer (Used for programming firmware)

 AC Adaptor furnishing 3V (used to power the Display Board only)

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Section 2 Getting Started

This section provides brief instructions to get the Demonstration kit up and running in
the shortest amount of time. Persons reading this section should be familiar with wire­less networking; otherwise, read section 3 and section 4 for a full description of the
Demonstration kit. This Demonstration kit is fully self-contained, no external hardware
or software is required to conduct the network demonstration. However, in the event
RCB or Display board reprogramming is desired, a PC is required.

2.1 Hardware
assembly

2.2 Starting and
using the
network

The hardware is assembled by following the steps listed below. Pictures with itemized
callouts are shown in Section 3.

1. Assemble the five RCBs by inserting two AAA batteries.

2. Assemble the Display Board by inserting two AA batteris at the bottom of the
board and connecting any RCB.

Network device activity is monitored in two places: the network monitor screen and on
the RCBs designated LED units. The following steps describe device monitoring and
the reconfiguration of network devices over the wireless link.

For more detailed information about the following steps, see Section 5, running the
demonstration.

1. On the Display Board, move the power switch toward the edge of the board
(BAT).

2. When the Atmel splash screen is displayed, move the power switch on the
attached RCB away from the antenna to the ON position.

3. Observe the LCD display indicate channel scan.

4. One at a time, sequentially turn on the four remaining RCBs.

5. Observe as the devices associate with the PAN coordinator (Display) and
populate the Configure screen on the LCD.

6. After all the RCBs are associated, press the SW1 button on the Display
Board to switch to the network monitor screen.

7. Locate the RCBs associated as Switches by checking the MAC address

shown on the Network Monitor screen with the MAC address printed on the
labels attached to each RCB. Observe the LED illumination on an RCB des-

ignated as an LED Unit and also the count increment in the network monitor
screen.

8. Press SW1 to return to the Configure screen.

Note: In the following steps, at a minimum, one RCB must be assigned the function of

a Switch Unit and one RCB must be assigned the function of an LED Unit.

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9. Randomly change the functionality of the RCBs in the Configure screen by
first selecting the desired unit by pressing the joystick up or down, then press
SW2 to change the function to either an LED unit or one of the three switch
units.

10. Press SW1 to return to Network Monitor mode and observe the new function
of the units.

11. When finished, return all power switches to the OFF position.

12. Please consult Table 7-1 if problems are encountered.

13. RCBs must contain a valid MAC address. If the MAC address was reset to
FF-FF-FF-FF-FF-FF-FF-FF you must reprogram the MAC address as out­lined in section 6.2.3..

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