Silicon Laboratories QSG102 Quick Start Manual
QSG102: Thread Bo rder 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
• S et up the Thread Border Router Hardware
• S et 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
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QSG102: Thread Border Router Add-On Kit Quick-Start Guide
Introduction
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 follow ing:
• 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 Development 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 install atio n
• 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.
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QSG102: Thread Border Router Add-On Kit Quick-Start Guide
Set Up the Thread Border Router Hardware
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 syste m pre-installed
• Edimax USB Wi-Fi Adapter, providing a Wi-Fi network for demon strat ion pur po se s
• 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 informatio n.
4. Plug in the Thread Border Router power supply. In the following steps you will power the Thread Border Router on and off by connecting 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.
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QSG102: Thread Border Router Add-On Kit Quick-Start Guide
Set Up the Thread End Node Hardware
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 softwar e registration
and support key. Three EM35x breakout b oards fro m the EM 35x-DEV Development Kit are s hown as T hread End Node s in the first f igure
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
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QSG102: Thread Border Router Add-On Kit Quick-Start Guide
Set Up the Thread End Node Hardware
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-MLRAN-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 ac cess t o the su pport por tal, a nd is a necess ary step to a ccess requ ired softw are. The instructions t hat com e with t he
EM35x Development Kit and the EFR32 Mighty Gecko Wireless SoC Starter Kit include a unique registration key and explain the registration procedure.
3.4 Set Up Hardware
Refer to QSG113: Getting Started with Silicon Labs Thread for instruction s o n 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).
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