EZRadio-DK User’s Guide
EZRADIO Si4455 TWO-WAY AND Si4012/Si4355
O
NE-WAY LINK DEVELOPMENT KIT USER ’S GUIDE
1. Kits Overview
This user's guide describes the development kits of the Silicon Labs' EZRadio® product family. Each kit contains
two RF nodes based on the Wireless Motherboard (WMB) to support evaluation and development of sub-GHz RF
links with the different EZRadio ICs. Table 1 lists the boards of the kits that use the latest C2A revision of the
EZRadio ICs. Table 2 lists the boards of the obsolete kits that use the previous B1B revision of the EZRadio ICs.
Table 3 lists the content that is common to all kits.
The WMB has an LCD display and four LEDs to display information and four push-buttons to receive user
commands. Additionally, the Silicon Labs Toolstick Base Adapter is integrated on the board to be easily
connected to the PC for downloading and debugging user applications.
The RF pico board provides connection to the radio device.
The kit s support use of the Wireless Development Suite (WDS) for setting radio pa rameters an d managing
sample codes.
The kits support the use of the Silicon Laboratories Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for
software debugging and the use of the Keil C compiler, assembler, and linker toolchain.
Table 1. Development Boards of the EZRadio Development Kits
Qty Description Part Number
Si4455 EZRadio Two-Way Link Development Kit 434 MHz 4455C-434-PDK
2 Si4455 434 MHz RF Pico board with SMA connector 4455CPCE10D434M
2 Wireless Motherboard MSC-WMB930
2 C8051F930 MCU Pico Board UPPI-930-RF
Si4455 EZRadio Two-Way Link Development Kit 868 MHz 4455C-868-PDK
2 Si4455 868 MHz RF Pico board with SMA connector 4455CPCE10D868M
2 Wireless Motherboard MSC-WMB930
2 C8051F930 MCU Pico Board UPPI-930-RF
Si4455 EZRadio Two-Way Link Development Kit 915 MHz 4455C-915-PDK
2 Si4455 915 MHz RF Pico board with SMA connector 4455CPCE10D915M
2 Wireless Motherboard MSC-WMB930
2 C8051F930 MCU Pico Board UPPI-930-RF
Rev. 0.4 9/14 Copyright © 2014 by Silicon Laboratories EZRadio-DK User’s Guide
EZRadio-DK User’s Guide
Table 2. Development Boards of the Obsolete EZRadio Development Kits
Qty Description Part Number
Si4455 EZRadio Two-Way Link Development Kit 434 MHz 4455-434-PDK
2
Si4455 434 MHz RF Pico board with SMA connector
2
Wireless Motherboard
2
C8051F930 MCU Pico Board
Si4455 EZRadio Two-Way Link Development Kit 868 MHz 4455-868-PDK
2
Si4455 868 MHz RF Pico board with SMA connector
2
Wireless Motherboard
2
C8051F930 MCU Pico Board
Si4455 EZRadio Two-Way Link Development Kit 915 MHz 4455-915-PDK
2
Si4455 915 MHz RF Pico board with SMA connector
2
Wireless Motherboard
2
C8051F930 MCU Pico Board
Si4012/Si4355 EZRadio One-Way Link Dev elopment Kit 434 MHz 4012-434-PDK
1
Si4355 434 MHz RF Pico board with SMA connector
1
Wireless Motherboard
1
C8051F930 MCU Pico Board
1
Si4012 434 MHz RF Pico board with SMA connector
1
LCD Base Board
Si4012/Si4355 EZRadio One-Way Link Dev elopment Kit 915 MHz 4012-915-PDK
1
Si4355 915 MHz RF Pico board with SMA connector
1
Wireless Motherboard
1
C8051F930 MCU Pico Board
1
Si4012 915 MHz RF Pico board with SMA connector
1
LCD Base Board
4455-PCE10D434M
MSC-WMB930
UPPI-930-RF
4455-PCE10D868M
MSC-WMB930
UPPI-930-RF
4455-PCE10D915M
MSC-WMB930
UPPI-930-RF
4355-PRXB434M
MSC-WMB930
UPPI-930-RF
4012-PSC10B434
MSC-LCDBB930-PER
4355-PRXB915M
MSC-WMB930
UPPI-930-RF
4012-PSC10B915
MSC-LCDBB930-PER
Table 3. Common Kit Content
Qty D escription Part Number
2
USB cable (USBA-USB mini)
2
Antenna with SMA connection
4
AA Battery
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EZRadio Development Kit User's Guide
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EZRadio-DK User ’s Guide
2. Software Setup
There are two software tools provided by Silicon Labs to aid in EZRadio software development: the Wireless
Development Suite (WDS) and the Silicon Labs Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The recommended
starting point for EZRadio development is the WDS software tool. This tool is able to identify the connected boards
by reading their identification memories (EBID) and provides valuable help by greatly simplifying radio
configuration, evaluation, and application development.
2.1. Hardware and Software Requirements for WDS
Windows XP
Microsoft .NET framework 3.5 or later
Silicon Labs CP210x VCP driver
WDS v3.2.7.0 or later
The lack of the .NET framework and VCP driver are recognized during the WDS installation. The install wizard will
install the missing components after prompting the user for permission.
2.2. Download WDS
The WDS can be obtained from the Silicon Labs website free of charge. For more information, see links in "4.
Useful Documents" on page 6.
2.3. Installation Steps
Note: Before installing this software, local administration rights must be obtained from your network administrator.
1. Start WDS3 -Setup.exe
2. Click “Next” to start the installation process
3. Accept the license agreement by clicking the check box, and then press the “Next” button.
4. Select the installation folder.
It is recommended to use the default folder, C:\Program Files\Silabs\WDS3
5. When your settings are confirmed, click “Install” to continue.
6. Click “Finish” to close the WDS Installer.
®
or later
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EZRadio-DK User’s Guide
3. Hardware Setup
3.1. Si4355/4455 Nodes
After checking the kit contents against Tables 2 and 3, the kit can be put into operation by performing the steps
listed below.
Figure 1. Wireless Motherboard Top Markings
1. Insert an RF Pico board into the connectors labeled as CON1 and CON2 on the WMB.
2. Insert an MCU Pico Board into the connectors, J5, J6, J7, and J8, on the WMB. Align the triangle sym bol
on the MCU Pico board or the dotted corner of the MCU with the triangle symbol on the WMB.
3. Connect the antenna to the SMA connector on the RF Pico Board.
4. Set the SUPPLY SELECT switch to USB position.
5. Set the MCU DC/DC switch to the OFF position.
6. Ensure that all the CURRENT MEASUREMENT jumpers (J18-J21) are in place.
7. Start the WDS on your PC.
8. Using one of the USB cables in the kit, connect the WMB to the PC.
9. Wait for Windows to install the driver of the debug interface if necessary.
10. WDS must identify the connected board and open an Application Manager window that lists information
about the identified board.
1 1. Boards are shippe d without preload ed soft ware. Sample co des can be configu red and downloaded to the
WMCU from WDS. For details on how to use the WDS, see the WDS User's Guides listed in "4. Useful
Documents" on page 6.
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EZRadio-DK User ’s Guide
Repeat steps 1 to 9 for the other node of the kit. The tw o no des are now ready for evaluation. Detailed descriptions
of the example codes can be fou nd in the programming guide listed in "4. Useful Documents" on page 6. The
following is a quick-step guide to performing simple packet TX/RX.
1. Leave both nodes powered from the USB as described above.
2. Select “Radio Configuration Application”.
3. From the Radio Configuration Application win dow , select “Standard Packet TX” for one node and “St andard
Packet RX” for the other node.
4. Leave the default parameter settings untouched; simply click “Download project”.
5. Now, the simple TX/RX sample project is running on the boards. When pressing one of the SW1 to SW4
buttons on the Tx board, packets are sent, and the corresp onding LED of LED1 to LED4 lights up during
the transmission. On the RX side, LED1 is always on, while different combinations of LED2 to LED4 light
up during successful packet reception according to the button pressed.
3.2. Si4012 Node
1. Insert the Si4012 RF Pico board into the connectors labeled as RFP1 and RFP2 on the LCD Base Board.
2. Connect the antenna to the SMA connector on the RF Pico Board
3. Set the SUPPLY SELECT switch (SW1) to USB position
4. Start the WDS on your PC
5. Using one of the USB cables in the kit, connect the Base Board to the PC.
6. If necessary wait for Windows to install the debug interface driver.
7. WDS must identify the connected board and open an Application Manager window that lists information
about the identified board.
8. Boards are shipped without preloaded software. Sample codes can be configured and downloaded to the
MCU from WDS. For details of how to use the WDS see the WDS User's Guides listed in "Section 4. Useful
documents".
The node is now ready for evaluation. Detailed description of the example codes can be found in the Si4012
programming guide listed in "Section 4. Useful documents".
The following is a quick step guide to performing a simple packet TX/RX.
1. Leave the node powered from USB as described above.
2. Select Radio Configuration Application
3. Set the Center Frequency to the value selected (or default) on the receiver node.
4. On the lower part of the Radio Configuration Application window select Packet TX sample project
5. Leave other default parameter settings untouched, just click "Load firmware".
Now the Packet TX sample project is running on the board. When pressing one of SW1, SW2 or SW3 buttons on
the board, packets are sent and the corresp onding LED of LED1, LED2 or LED3 lights up after the transmission.
On the RX side, the corresponding LED lights up during successful packet receptions.
A description of the LCD Base Board can be found in “AN746: Si4012 Programming Guide.” A complete CAD
design pack plus PDF schematic is also available on the Si4012 product page of www.silabs.com.
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EZRadio-DK User’s Guide
4. Useful Documents
For general information on the EZRadio ICs, see the following data sheets:
Si4355 Data Sheet
Si4455 Data Sheet
Si4012 Data Sheet
For detailed information on how to program the EZRadio ICs, refer to the following documents:
AN692: Si4355/4455 Programming Guide and Sample Codes
AN746: Si4012 Programming Guide
EZRadio API Documentation
Available Tools:
Silicon Laboratories IDE installer
WDS3 installer
For hardware design guidance, see the following application notes:
AN685: Layout Design Guide for the Si4455/4355 RF ICS
AN686: Antennas for the Si4455/4355 RF ICs
AN693: Si4455 Low-Power PA Matching
For detailed information on lab measurements and data sheet parameter verification, refer to the following
documents:
AN655: Range Test Application for the EZRadio and EZRadioPRO devices
AN796: Wireless Development Suite General Description
AN797: WDS User's Guide for EZRadio Devices
A complete CAD design pack of all development boards and other useful documents can be accessed via the
EZRadio web pages at www.silabs.com.
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