SN171 Proto Board
Quick Start Guide
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Document Number 600-0011A
This Quick Start guide attempts to point out the most important features of the Synapse
SN171 Proto Board.
Introduction
This break-out/prototyping board has been created to make it easier to evaluate the Synapse RF
Engine (RFE).
The SN171 Proto Board provides easy access to all 19 General Purpose I/O (GPIO) pins of the
RF Engine, including:
• 19 Digital Inputs or Outputs
• 8 Analog Inputs
• 2 UART ports
Note that the analog input and serial port functionality share pins with the digital I/O - you can
only have a total of 19 functions at one time. Please refer to the existing RF Engine Datasheet for
more details.
On the SN171 Proto Board, none of the I/O pins are dedicated to a single function. At the same
time, we wanted to make it easy to test drive "basic functionality" like blinking LEDs, reading a
push-button switch, and communicating over a serial port.
To accomplish this, various jumpers can be installed to connect different RF Engine GPIO pins to
some on-board peripherals.
Document Number 600-0011A
On-Board Peripherals List
From a hardware configuration (jumpering) standpoint, there are five hardware sub-system s to be
aware of:
• Voltage Regulator
• LED1 – green
• LED2 – yellow
• S1 - push-button switch
• RS-232 port - DB9
Powering Options
The SN171 Proto Board can be powered from a two-pin
battery connector. Put JMP1 on pins 2 and 3 (connecting
VBAT to VCC) and connect a battery (or other 2.7 - 3.4
volt source) to the white two-pin header labeled "J5 VBAT
IN".
Alternatively, you can power the board externally by first
connecting JMP1 pins 1 and 2 (connecting VEXT to
VCC). You can then bring in 5-9 volts DC power throug
the barrel connector, or through the VEXT and GND pins
on terminal block TBh 2.
Jumper
When Installed
JMP1 Connect pins 1-2 to get VCC from VEXT
JMP1 Connect pins 2-3 to get VCC from VBAT
On-board LEDs
Jumper
When Installed
JMP3 LED1 (green) can be controlled via GPIO1
JMP4 LED2 (yellow) can be controlled via GPIO2
Simply remove these jumpers to reclaim these pins for other
purposes.
Document Number 600-0011A
On-board Push-Button
Push-button switch S1 is a normally open momentary contact switch that can be connected to
processor reset, pin GPIO5, or neither.
Jumper
When Installed
JMP9 Connecting pins 1-2 connects S1 to GPIO5
JMP9 Connecting pins 2-3 connects S1 to reset
You can also leave the jumper off entirely, and switch S1 will do
nothing.
RS-232 Port
The RF Engine's UART signals are 3.3 volt logic level, and so must go through a line interface
chip before they can directly be used for RS-485, RS-232, etc.
The SN171 Proto Board includes a RS-232 line driver that can optionally be used with UART 1
(SCI 2). Note that this is the second serial port of the RF Engine. The first RF Engine serial port
is always 3.3 volt logic level.
Jumper
When Installed
JMP2 The RS-232 chip is powered up
JMP5 UART 1 RXD is RS-232
JMP6 UART 1 TXD is RS-232
JMP7 UART 1 CTS is RS-232
JMP8 UART 1 RTS is RS-232
Remove jumper JMP2 to power down the RS-232 line
driver chip. Remove jumper JMP5 through JMP8 to
disconnect the respective pin from the line interface
chip.
Document Number 600-0011A
Connectivity Options
Two terminal blocks (one on each side of the board) provide access to all of the GPIO pins, plus
various POWER, GND, and RESET signals.
NOTE that these terminal blocks DO NOT have the exact same pinout as the two headers
on the RF Engine!
The RF Engine headers have 24 pins total, the breakout board terminal blocks have 28 pins
total. The extra pins are additional GND and POWER connections.
Notice the power (VCC) pin between GPIO6 and GPIO7.
Also notice the power (VCC) pin between GPIO14 and GPIO15, and also one next
to GPIO18.
In addition to the two terminal blocks, these signals are also available at connector J2 (if loaded).
Document Number 600-0011A
Connector Table
Connector Description
J1A 12 pin header, one of two that connect to the Synapse RF Engine
J1B 12 pin header, the second of two that connect to the RF Engine
TB1 14 position terminal block that provides all J1A signals,
plus some additional power and ground pins
TB2 14 position terminal block that provides all J1B signals,
plus some additional power and ground signals
J2 A 24 pin connector that provides alternate connection points to the RF
Engine signals
Note that pins 1-12 of J2 map to J1A/TB1 and pins 13-24 of J2 map to
J1B/TB2
J3 This is a standard Background Debug Mode (BDM) interface to the RF
Engine's microprocessor. This connector is usually not installed.
J4 Barrel connector for external DC power (5 - 9 volt range)
J5 Connector for external “Battery" power (2.7 - 3.4 volt range)
J6 This is the DB9 connector for the RS-232 line interface
Document Number 600-0011A
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