STMicroelectronics B-UWB-MEK1 Quick Start Guide
UM2798
User manual
B-UWB-MEK1 quick start guide
Introduction
This document explains how to get started quickly with the B-UWB-MEK1 module evaluation kit. B-UWB-MEK1 includes
Evaluation boards equipped with the STM32-based B-UWB-MOD1 UWB module designed to test advanced positioning and
tracking technology in real conditions, or to be embedded directly into a ready-to-use indoor location system. The Evaluation
boards can be used both as fixed or mobile devices for complete system evaluation.
The quick start guide covers such aspects as hardware content, system introduction, software tools, 1D and 3D measurements,
device addition, system update, and support.
Figure 1. B-UWB-MEK1 module evaluation kit
Picture is not contractual.
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For further information contact your local STMicroelectronics sales office.
www.st.com
1 Unpack hardware
Check the content
• B-UWB-MEK1 boards
• Omnidirectional antennas
• USB Type-C® to USB Type-A cables
1. B-UWB-MEK1 is available in packs of two boards. The number of packs needed depends on the use case.
Unpack hardware
(1)
, equipped with the B-UWB-MOD1 modules mounted on PERSPEX® panels
Figure 2. B-UWB-MEK1 board, antenna and cable
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Assemble the boards
1. Screw the antenna carefully (maximum torque from 0.3 to 0.6 N.m)
2. Plug the USB cable
Figure 3. B-UWB-MEK1 antenna and cable connection
1 2
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Come to know the system
2 Come to know the system
2.1 Delivery pack
The software development kit (SDK) included in the delivery pack contains documentation and the related
software toolchain, to make the development process based on B-UWB-MEK1 and B-UWB-MOD1 easier.
Make sure to decompress the SDK folder received as a compressed archive into a path without any whitespace.
Note: This quick start guide and its appendices are based on system version 3.x. For update or advanced system
features, refer to the comprehensive user documentation presented in Reference documentation.
2.2 Configurations
B-UWB-MEK1 is designed to test ultra-wideband (UWB) positioning and tracking independently, or to be used
within an existing location system based on this technology.
This quick start guide provides an easy access to the main functionalities by presenting three basic modes for a
setup composed of up to 6 boards:
• Filtered 1D measurement
• Raw 1D measurement
• 3D single self-positioning
Appendix Add devices explains the configuration steps to use more devices.
2.3
Note: Arm is a registered trademark of Arm Limited (or its subsidiaries) in the US and/or elsewhere.
Board overview
B-UWB-MEK1 boards are built around the ultra-compact surface mounted B-UWB-MOD1 UWB module, which is
the kernel of various adjustable device-centric and server-centric location configurations.
B-UWB-MOD1 features the STM32L476JE 32-bit microcontroller based on the Arm® 32-bit Cortex®‑M4 CPU with
FPU.
All B-UWB-MEK1 boards have the same pre-settings and functionalities, to be alternatively in master or
secondary mode, as a fixed or mobile device for measurement and positioning. The green LED indicates the
board synchronization status, the red LED shows the power supply.
Each board has two switches and one button to control roles and functions as shown in Figure 4:
• ON / OFF - alternate the power switch
• Master / Secondary - alternate the MODE switch
• Reset - press the Reset button
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Green LED
power supply
on/off
Power
switch
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Board overview
Figure 4. B-UWB-MEK1 board front view
Standard SMA female
antenna connector
Red LED
synchronization of
secondary boards
slow blinking:
not synchronized
quick blinking:
synchronized
MODE
switch
Screw terminal
wired power supply
input calibration
5 V / 200 mA
USB Type-C
connector
power supply & data
®
1. For advanced development.
Keep in INTERNAL upper position unless specified otherwise.
Zoom on device information labels
The labels on the front and back sides of the board provide the board specific identifiers.
Figure 5. B-UWB-MEK1 labels on the front side and back side
Front-side label Back-side label
Reset
button
Board configuration
switches
(1)
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2.4 Software tools
2.4.1 Driver
Windows® systems require a Silicon Labs' CP210x driver to connect. For Ubuntu®, refer directly to MOD1/MEK1
programming tool.
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Software tools
Windows 10
®
The system installs the driver itself within a few seconds when the board is plugged onto the USB port.
If the automatic installation does not happen, Windows® drivers are also provided in the delivery package in \mo
d1_SDK_3.x.x-rxxxxx\tools\exe\CP210x_Universal_Windows_Driver.zip.
Older Windows® versions
CP210x drivers for older Windows® versions are available on Silicon Labs' website at www.silabs.com/
developers/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers.
2.4.2 MOD1/MEK1 programming tool
This application enables users to set their boards for different configurations by providing access to the module
memory.
Windows
Path: \mod1_SDK_3.x.x-rxxxxx\tools\exe\bspmoduletoolsgui_3.x.x_amd64.exe
Installation: double-click on the file to open the application directly.
Ubuntu
Path: \mod1_SDK_3.x.x-rxxxxx\tools\deb\bspmoduletoolsgui_3.x.x_amd64.deb
Installation:
1. Open Terminal
2.
3. Enter the following command:
4. Enter the password
®
®
Access the deb directory in the SDK by using Linux® command cd (change directory) and entering the
corresponding path.
In the example below, the user is navigating from the home directory and the SDK directory is stored on the
Desktop:
cd Desktop/mod1_SDK_3.x.x_REVISION/tools/deb
./install_bspmoduletools_all.sh
The installation script starts to run. The installation script ends with Bespoon DKMS package correctly
installed !
2.4.3 Trace tool
Various terminal applications can be used as UART trace tools to read distances. On Windows®, use for instance
Tera Term, an application provided by the Open Source Development Network at osdn.net/projects/ttssh2/.
Ubuntu® systems already include the Minicom serial communication application.
Follow the steps below to configure the trace tool:
Step 1. Select the board used as the master in the upcoming procedures.
Step 2. Set its MODE switch accordingly.
Step 3. Connect the board to the computer via the USB.
Step 4. Turn on the board with the power switch and open the trace tool.
Step 5. Select [Serial] and the port of the corresponding USB connection.
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Step 6. In [Setup]>[Serial port], enter the following settings:
– Baud rate 921600 bauds
– Data 8 bits
– Parity none
– Stop bit 1
– Flow control none
Step 7. Go to [Setup]>[Save setup].
Step 8. Save the setup (*.ini file) in the suggested program directory.
Step 9. Press the Reset button to reset the board.
The terminal displays: MEK MASTER ANCHOR [ID] STARTED
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Software tools
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3 Filtered 1D measurement
The filtered 1D measurement mode improves the accuracy of 1D measurements by post-processing the collected
data with a filter. It is the default mode on B-UWB-MEK1 boards.
Figure 6. Filtered 1D measurement
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Filtered 1D measurement
1 master board and up to 5 secondary boards
E
F
F
F
F
F
DME
A
DMA
M = master, A, B, C, D, E = secondary
distances = DMA, DMB, DMC, DMD, DME,
provided at M interface as filtered data (F)
Step 1. Check that the trace tool is closed.
Step 2. On the master board, check that the MODE switch is in position Master.
Step 3. Connect the master board to the computer.
– If no other B-UWB-MEK1 location mode was used before, skip steps 4 to 8 and jump to step 9
directly since filtered 1D measurement is the default setting.
– Otherwise, proceed with step 4.
Step 4. Open the MOD1/MEK1 programming tool and use the power switch to turn on the board.
Step 5. In the menu on the right, select the serial port of the master board.
The programming tool displays a progress bar and device information.
B
DMB
M
DMC
D
DMD
C
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Step 6. In [Localization]>[TYPE], select [1D_FILT].
Step 7. Click on [Apply Localization Parameters].
Step 8. Wait until the progress bar displays OK.
Step 9. On the secondary boards, set the MODE switch in the position opposite to Master
Step 10. Supply the secondary boards with 5 V power and use their power switches to turn them on.
Step 11. In the trace tool, open a new connection.
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Step 12. Reset the master board.
The terminal displays filtered 1D measurement logs:
– DT (delta): time between measures in milliseconds (until decimal point)
– ID: device ID of the master board
– TAGID: device ID of the secondary board (each board on a separate line)
– LQI (link quality indicator): signal strength in percent
– DIST (distance): measurement between master and secondary in meters
– F at line end: indicates a filtered value
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Filtered 1D measurement
Figure 7. Filtered 1D measurement trace
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