Getting started with the X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 Sub-1 GHz 868 MHz RF expansion
board based on S2-LP radio for STM32 Nucleo
Introduction
The X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 expansion board is based on the S2-LP ultra-low power RF transceiver and operates in the 868 MHz
ISM frequency band.
The X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 interfaces with the STM32 Nucleo microcontroller via SPI connections and GPIO pins. Y
change some of the GPIOs by mounting or removing the resistors.
The expansion board is compatible with ST morpho and Arduino UNO R3 connectors.
Figure 1. X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 expansion board
ou can
UM2638 - Rev 1 - December 2019
For further information contact your local STMicroelectronics sales of
fice.
www.st.com
1Acronyms and abbreviations
Table 1. List of acronyms
AcronymDescription
AMRAutomatic meter reading
EEPROMElectrically erasable programmable read only memory
GHzGiga Hertz
GUIGraphical user interface
LEDLight emitting diode
MCUMicrocontroller unit
P2PPoint-to-point communication
RFRadio frequency communication
SPISerial peripheral interface
USBUniversal serial bus
wM-BusWireless metering bus
WSNWireless sensors network
UM2638
Acronyms and abbreviations
UM2638 - Rev 1
page 2/19
2Getting started
2.1Overview
The X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 main features are:
Based on S2-LP radio
•
•S2-LP narrow band ultra-low power sub-1 GHz transceiver tuned for 860 - 940 MHz frequency band
•Programmable RF output power up to +16 dBm
•Modulation schemes: 2-FSK, 2-GFSK, 4-FSK, 4-GFSK, OOK and ASK
•Air data rate from 0.1 to 500 kbps
•Ultra-low power consumption: 7 mA RX and 10 mA TX at +10 dBm
•IEEE 802.15.4g hardware packet support with whitening, FEC, CRC and dual SYNC word detection
•RX and TX 128 byte FIFO buffers
•Support to wireless M-Bus
•Excellent performance of receiver sensitivity (up to -130 dBm)
•Automatic acknowledgement, retransmission and timeout protocol engine
•Compatible with STM32 Nucleo boards
•Compatible with Arduino UNO R3 connectors
•BALF-SPI2-01D3 IPD balun for matching network and harmonics filter
•Sigfox compatible
•Sample firmware for P2P communication
•6LoWPAN compatible thanks to STM32Cube
•RoHS and WEEE compliant
The X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 expansion board can be used for the evaluation of the S2-LP device in multiple
applications:
•wM-Bus applications
•Point-to-point communication protocol
•6LoWPAN applications
•SigFox communication
You can develop other applications for evaluating the devices, such as:
•SigFox communication
•Automatic meter reading
•Home and building automation
•WSN
•Industrial monitoring and control
•Wireless fire and security alarm systems
UM2638
Getting started
UM2638 - Rev 1
page 3/19
2.2Hardware and software requirements
UM2638
Hardware and software requirements
To use the X-NUCLEO-S2868A2
as shown below.
Figure 2. X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 expansion board connected to an STM32 Nucleo development board
expansion board with STM32 Nucleo development boards, connect the boards
The interconnection between the STM32 Nucleo
any STM32 Nucleo board, although complete testing has only been performed on the NUCLEO-L053R8,
NUCLEO-F401RE and NUCLEO-L152RE boards hosting ultra-low power STM32 microcontrollers.
The minimum hardware and software requirements are listed below:
•a PC/laptop with Microsoft Windows (7 and above) to install the software package (X-CUBE-SUBG1)
•a type A USB to mini-B USB cable to connect the STM32 Nucleo board to the PC/laptop
•128 MB of RAM
•Approximately 40 MB of hard disk space for the firmware
•Approximately 15 MB of hard disk space for the wM-Bus GUI
The use of the wM-Bus concentrator with the GUI requires additional boards to be connected to the PC. The GUI
can be used to check the wM-Bus communication protocol.
2.3Board setup
Step 1.Check that the jumper on JP1 connector is connected to provide the required voltage to the board
devices.
Step 2.Connect the X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 to the STM32 Nucleo
Step 3.Power the STM32 Nucleo development board using the Mini-B USB cable.
Step 4.Program the firmware in the STM32 on the STM32 Nucleo development board using the firmware
sample provided.
Step 5.Preset the reset button on the STM32 Nucleo development board.
The evaluation kit is ready-to-use.
and the X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 is designed to allow the use of
board as shown in Figure 2.
UM2638 - Rev 1
page 4/19
Hardware description and configuration
3Hardware description and configuration
3.1Interconnection details
The X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 expansion board and the NUCLEO-F401RE or NUCLEO-L152RE board connection
details are listed in the table below
Table 2. X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 and NUCLEO-L152RE connection details (left connector)
NCIOREFRESET3V3
CN6 PowerCN8 Analog
12345678123456
3V3GNDGNDGPIO0CSNGPIO1GPIO2
.
Signal name
V
5
GNDGNDVINA0A1A2A3A4A5
Connector name
Pin number
NUCLEO-L152RE MCU port
PA0PA1PA4PB0PC1PC0
X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 expansion board signals
GPIO0
UM2638
(1
GPIO3
)
Used to enable different configurations in case a signal conflict occurs when using other expansion board
1.
(refer to next section).
Table 3. X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 and NUCLEO-L152RE connection details (right connector)
The SPI and GPIO connection options between the STM32 Nucleo and S2-LP can be used to enable dif
configurations in case a signal conflict occurs when using other expansion boards.
ferent
UM2638 - Rev 1
page 5/19
Current measurement
Table 4. S2-LP interface (optional) with STM32 Nucleo board
S2-LP signalDefault STM32 portOptional STM32 port
GPIO0PA0
CSnPA1
CLKPB3
nSPB4
SDNPA8
PC1
T
o use the optional connection, mount R18, unmount R12
PB6
T
o use the optional connection, mount R9, unmount R13
PA5
T
o use the optional connection, mount R6, unmount R11
PA9
T
o use the optional connection, mount R7, unmount R22
PB10
T
o use the optional connection, mount R19, unmount R10
To use the optional connections, modify the firmware on the basis of the STM32 resources used.
UM2638
3.3Current measurement
To monitor the X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 expansion board power consumption, use jumper JP1: connect an ammeter
probe between the connector pins 1 and 2 for measurements.
3.4X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 component placement details
The figure below shows the component placement on the X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 expansion board.
The M95640-R is a 64 Kbit serial SPI bus EEPROM with high-speed clock interface. The device can be used to
store the configuration parameters related to S2-LP RF device application or settings.
FeaturesDescription
Order codeM95640-RMC6TG
PackageMLP8
Operating voltage1.8 to 5.5 V
4.2S2-LP RF transceiver
UM2638
The X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 expansion board is based on the S2-LP standalone RF transceiver
868 MHz ISM frequency band and wireless M-Bus.
The S2-LP narrow band ultra-low power sub-1 GHz transceiver is tuned for 430-470 MHz and 860 - 940 MHz
frequency bands and programmable RF output power up to +16 dBm.
Formal notices required by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission ("FCC")
7Formal notices required by the U.S. Federal Communications
Commission ("FCC")
FCC NOTICE: This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user
the equipment.
Additional warnings for FCC
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference's by one or more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
’s authority to operate
UM2638
UM2638 - Rev 1
page 13/19
Formal product notice required by the Industry Canada ("IC")
8Formal product notice required by the Industry Canada ("IC")
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Compliance - This device complies with Innovation,
Science and Economic Development RSS standards. Operation is subject to the following two 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. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the
manufacturer could void the user
Conformité à Innovation, Sciences et Développement Économique Canada - Cet appareil est conforme aux
normes RSS d'Innovation, Science et Développement économique. L'utilisation est soumise aux deux conditions
suivantes: (1) cet appareil ne doit pas causer d'interférences nuisibles, et (2) cet appareil doit accepter de
recevoir tous les types d’interférence, y comprises les interférences susceptibles d'entraîner un fonctionnement
indésirable. Les changements ou les modifications non expressément approuvés par le fabricant pourraient
annuler le permis d'utiliser l'équipement.
’s authority to operate the equipment.
UM2638
UM2638 - Rev 1
page 14/19
Revision history
able 7. Document revision history
T
DateRevisionChanges
12-Dec-20191Initial release.
UM2638
UM2638 - Rev 1
page 15/19
UM2638
Contents
Contents
1Acronyms and abbreviations ......................................................2
2Getting started ....................................................................3
Figure 6. X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 circuit schematic - ST morpho connectors..................................9
UM2638 - Rev 1
page 18/19
UM2638
IMPORTANT NOTICE – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
STMicroelectronics NV and its subsidiaries (“ST”) reserve the right to make changes, corrections, enhancements, modifications, and improvements to ST
products and/or to this document at any time without notice. Purchasers should obtain the latest relevant information on ST products before placing orders. ST
products are sold pursuant to ST’
Purchasers are solely responsible for the choice, selection, and use of ST products and ST assumes no liability for application assistance or the design of
Purchasers’ products.
No license, express or implied, to any intellectual property right is granted by ST herein.
Resale of ST products with provisions different from the information set forth herein shall void any warranty granted by ST for such product.
ST and the ST logo are trademarks of ST. For additional information about ST trademarks, please refer to www
names are the property of their respective owners.
Information in this document supersedes and replaces information previously supplied in any prior versions of this document.
s terms and conditions of sale in place at the time of order acknowledgement.