EMBIT EMB2538PA User Manual
EMB-Z2538PA
EMB-Z2538PA
PRELIMINARY
Datasheet
FCC ID: Z7H-EMB2538PA
The device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subjected
to the following 2 conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful
interference and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Document information
Versions & Revisions
Revision Date Author Comments
0.9 23/10/2013 AS Preliminary version
1.0 25/10/2013 FM Added typical appl. circuit; current
measurements; minor changes
1.1 20/05/2014 FM Added mention of Olimex programmer
1.2 17/02/2015 CB Updated sensitivity
1.3 18/11/2015 CB Updated FCC information
1.4 08/01/2016 CB Updated FCC information
References
Ref Version Date Author Title
Index
1 Description.................................................................................................4
1.1 Specifications.......................................................................................... 4
1.2 Applications............................................................................................. 5
1.3 Block diagram..........................................................................................5
1.4 Microcontroller.........................................................................................5
1.5 Antenna..................................................................................................6
1.6 Firmware................................................................................................ 8
1.7 Development Tools...................................................................................9
2 Size and footprint......................................................................................10
2.1 Size......................................................................................................10
2.2 Connector positioning..............................................................................11
2.3 Footprint...............................................................................................12
2.4 Antenna positioning................................................................................14
2.5 Notes....................................................................................................14
3 Connections..............................................................................................15
3.1 Connections overview.............................................................................15
3.2 Connections Table..................................................................................15
4 Typical Application Circuit.........................................................................17
5 Electrical characteristics...........................................................................18
5.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings......................................................................18
5.2 Operating Conditions...............................................................................18
5.3 Power Consumption................................................................................18
5.4 RF Characteristic....................................................................................18
6 Soldering.................................................................................................. 19
7 Regulatory Compliance.............................................................................20
7.1 Introduction...........................................................................................20
7.2 Compliance: Important information...........................................................20
7.3 CE: compliance......................................................................................21
7.4 CE: Output power...................................................................................21
7.5 FCC: Data............................................................................................. 21
7.6 FCC: Maximum Output power...................................................................22
7.7 FCC: Channelization................................................................................22
8 Ordering information................................................................................23
8.1 Types...................................................................................................23
8.2 Packaging..............................................................................................23
9 Disclaimer.................................................................................................24
9.1 Handling precautions..............................................................................24
9.2 Limitations.............................................................................................24
9.3 Disclaimer of liability...............................................................................24
9.4 Trademarks...........................................................................................24
EMB-Z2538PA Datasheet (rev 1.4) Page 3 of 24
Description
1 Description
EMB-Z2538PA is an OEM wireless module developed by embit for Low-Rate Wireless
Personal Area Networks (LR-WPAN) applications. The module combines high performance
to small dimensions and low cost, providing the system integrator a simple and easy way
to add IEEE 802.15.4 / ZigBee® low range wireless connectivity and multi-hop networking
into existing products.
EMB-Z2538PA is configured as an embedded micro system or simple data modem for low
power applications in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. It is based on a Texas Instruments™ CC2538
single chip device which is an ARM CortexTM-M3 32 bit microcontroller with up to 512 KB of
FLASH memory and 32 KB of RAM. The EMB-Z2538PA includes a hardware accelerator for
the MAC layer (IEEE 802.15.4) and a 2.4 GHz transceiver.
The ad-hoc RF section includes a power amplifier and a low noise amplifier and delivers
best-inclass performance in terms of covered area and power consumption. The output
power can be increased up to +22 dBm by simple software configurations and the
sensitivity is configurable between two options, allowing to cover distances up to 500
meters (LoS); the U.FL receptacle allows the connection of an external antenna.
EMB-Z2538PA can communicate with other devices through a wide range of serial
interfaces: two UART ports, SPI, several digital I/O ports (up to 15 digital lines) and one
analog port.
1.1 Specifications
• 32-bit ARM Cortex
TM
-M3 MCU
• Up to 512 KB of Flash, 32 KB of RAM (of which 16 KB retention in all power modes)
• (optional) Internal additional 64 KB of RAM over SPI
• (optional) Internal 32768 Hz quartz
• Output power: up to +22 dBm (100 mW)
• Sensitivity: up to -101 dBm (high sensitivity mode)
• PCB antenna (PIFA), wire connector and U.FL receptacle for external antennas
• Coverage: up to 500 meters (LoS)
• Unique IEEE address (64 bit) on-board
• SMD edge connector
EMB-Z2538PA Datasheet (rev 1.4) Page 4 of 24
Description
1.2 Applications
• Metering: thermostat, meters, remote devices, displays, central devices, etc..
• Home/Buildings Automation: safety systems and access control, HVAC,
door/window control, lightning, etc..
• Industrial Automation: process control, wireless sensor networks, identification
and asset tracking, etc..
• Healthcare: blood pressure monitoring, thermometers, ECG, etc..
1.3 Block diagram
Image 1: block diagram for the EMB-Z2538PA
1.4 Microcontroller
EMB-Z2538PA is equipped with the latest System-On-Chip (SOC) from Texas Instruments™:
the CC2538. The CC2538 is an integrated platform for IEEE 802.15.4 applications or
ZigBee® applications. The device integrates a low power 2.4 GHz transceiver, an MCU
based on an ARM Cortex-M3 core (32 bit) and a hardware accelerator for the IEEE 802.15.4
MAC layer.
The CC2538 can be used for different wireless applications, starting from simple point to
point proprietary protocols up to ZigBee® self-healing mesh networks, and is conceived to
offer high computational power but low power consumption. It targets in particular smart
metering applications.
The ARM Cortex-M3 32 bit core works at 32 MHz and supports the Thumb-2 instruction set;
it is coupled with 512 KB of FLASH memory and 32 KB of SRAM memory.
EMB-Z2538PA Datasheet (rev 1.4) Page 5 of 24
Description
1.5 Antenna
The EMB-Z2538PA module offers two different antenna options:
• PIFA antenna directly printed on the PCB. The performances of this antenna are
influenced by the positioning of the module in the system. The antenna
specifications are provided in next paragraph.
• External antenna connector: 50 Ohm single ended U.FL connector.
1.5.1 Antenna options /type
The module EMB-Z2538PA is provided in two alternative antenna output configurations
that corresponds into two different part numbers:
EMB-Z2538PA/IA that operates with the integrated PCB PIFA antenna, this P/N can be
identified by the position of the 0402 resistor (zero R) in the RF chain (the one closer to
the printed antenna) as shown in the following picture, U.FL connector is not mounted:
Image 6: EMB-Z2538PA/IA, positioning of zero Ohm resistor
EMB-Z2538PA/UL that operates only with one of the external antenna present in
“Chapter 7.2 Compliance: Important information”.
This P/N can be identified by the horizontal position of the 0402 resistor (zero R) in the
RF chain (the one closer to the printed antenna) as shown in the following picture, U.FL
connector is mounted (mandatory):
Image 7: EMB-Z2538PA/UL, positioning of zero Ohm resistor
EMB-Z2538PA Datasheet (rev 1.4) Page 6 of 24
Description
For additional information on part-numbering, antenna option and antenna permitted
refer to the right section present in that datasheet. Power Amplifier / Low Noise
Amplifier
The EMB-Z2538PA module is equipped with a PA / LNA combination to increase the
communication range of the device. The PA provides a fixed gain of +24 dB and the LNA
can provide a gain of +11 dB or +6 dB selectable from the MCU. To switch between low
gain and high gain the MCU must drive the appropriate pin described in section “Power
Amplifier Interface”.
1.5.2 PIFA antenna
The printed antenna of the EMB-Z2538PA is a simple and performant solution for a
2.4 GHz system. It has a maximum gain of -2 dBi.
EMB-Z2538PA Datasheet (rev 1.4) Page 7 of 24
Description
1.6 Firmware
The EMB-Z2538PA is compatible with the TIMAC stack (which can be used to develop
IEEE 802.15.4-based applications) and the Z-STACK (which can be used to develop ZigBee®
applications) provided by Texas Instruments™. Some configuration to these stacks are
required in order to drive the PA and LNA available on the EMB-Z2538PA, as described
below.
1.6.1 Power Amplifier Interface
The EMB-Z2538PA has an integrated power amplifier (PA) and low noise amplifier (LNA)
that must be controlled by the transceiver. Depending on the stack some modifications
might be required in order to control the front-end. The interface between transceiver
and front-end is composed of an SPI port and three GPIO pins: “Enable”, “PA_enable”
and “Low/High_Sensitivity”.
The “Enable” pin (for controlling the LNA) is remapped to PC2 while the “PA_enable”
pin is remapped to PC3. The right settings for OBSSEL3 and OBSSEL2 must be changed in
mac_radio_defs.c of the TIMAC stack:
/* PC3 -> PAEN */
RFC_OBS_CTRL0 = RFC_OBS_CTRL_PA_PD_INV;
OBSSEL3 = OBSSEL_OBS_CTRL0;
/* PC2 -> EN (LNA control) */
RFC_OBS_CTRL1 = RFC_OBS_CTRL_LNAMIX_PD_INV;
OBSSEL2 = OBSSEL_OBS_CTRL1;
More information is available in the documents provided with the EMB-Z2538PA-EVK, or
you can contact Embit firmware support.
1.6.2 Texas Instruments stack configuration
The Texas Instruments™ stacks needs to be customized in order to support the
EMB-Z2538PA. The modifications includes the pin configuration, the 32 kHz
configuration, and the power amplifier selection (the definitions HAL_PA_LNA and
HAL_PA_LNA_CC2592 must enabled).
Depending on the board in which the EMB-Z2538PA module will be mounted, some
remapping in the TIMAC/Z-stack firmware of the defines controlling LEDs and
pushbuttons might be required.
More information is available in the documents provided with the EMB-Z2538PA-EVK, or
you can contact Embit firmware support.
EMB-Z2538PA Datasheet (rev 1.4) Page 8 of 24
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