TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SWRU048 Technical data

User Manual

Rev. 1.2

CC2400DBK Demonstration Board Kit

SWRU048 Page 1 of 30

Table of contents

INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 3

PCB ........................................................................................................................................... 4

RF SECTION ............................................................................................................................ 4

ANTENNA ................................................................................................................................. 4

POWER SUPPLY SECTION.......................................................................................................... 7

RS-232 INTERFACE.................................................................................................................. 8

MICROCONTROLLER AND USER INTERFACE ................................................................................ 8

PCB LAYOUT ......................................................................................................................... 11

USING THE CC2400DB DEMONSTRATION BOARD.......................................................... 22

CC2400 SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD AND EVALUATION USING AVR STUDIO 4 ................................. 22

RC OSCILLATOR ..................................................................................................................... 23

MICROCONTROLLER EEPROM MAPPING................................................................................. 23

IN SYSTEM PROGRAMMING ..................................................................................................... 24

BOOTLOADER......................................................................................................................... 25

INTRODUCTION TO EXAMPLES PROVIDED WITH CC2400DB ...................................................... 26

SETTING UP A SOFTWARE PROJECT FOR CC2400 .................................................................... 27

HARDWARE DEFINITION FILES (HDF) ...................................................................................... 27

HARDWARE LIBRARY FILES (HLF)........................................................................................... 27

CONFIGURE OUTPUT PROFILE.................................................................................................. 28

DATA PACKET DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................... 28

DATA TRANSMISSION PROTOCOL ............................................................................................. 28

TROUBLESHOOTING............................................................................................................ 29

IT DOES NOT WORK................................................................................................................. 29

I CANNOT PROGRAM THE AVR USING THE SERIAL PORT ............................................................ 29

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................ 29

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Introduction

The CC2400 single-chip RF transceiver provides a highly integrated, flexible low-cost solution
for applications using the world wide unlicensed 2.4 GHz frequency band. The CC2400DBK
demonstration board kit is a complement to the development kit (DK) as the hardware is
representative of an actual application, and it is well suited as a prototyping platform for
application code.

The CC2400DBK Demonstration Board Kit includes two CC2400DB Demonstration Boards.
These boards contain a CC2400 with necessary support components, an Atmel mega8 AVR
microcontroller, a PCB antenna, as well as a joystick, buttons and LEDs that can be used to
implement a visual user application interface. The demonstration board is also furnished with
connectors where all of the internal signals on the PCB are available.

This User Manual describes how to use the CC2400DBK Demonstration Board Kit. Atmel’s
AVR Studio and associated software is used to program and debug software. Please see the
reference section of this document for links to Atmel’s documentation on how to use their
tools.

Your CC2400DBK Demonstration Board Kit should contain the following items:

Kit contents

Item Number of articles

Demonstration Board (CC2400DB) 2

Quick Start instructions 1

CC2400 sample kit 1

RS-232 cables 2

Important:

Contact your local telecommunicat i on au thorities before transmitting an RF sig na l to ensure
that there are no local restrictions on the use of the 2400 –2483.5 MHz ISM ban d. The
CC2400 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency b an d. Although this frequency band is usually
described as “world-wide”, some countries do not allow unlicensed operation in this ba nd .

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PCB

Figure 1 depicts an overview of the CC2400DB with description of the various components
embedded on the PCB.

RS-232
port

4-10 V
DC-jack

buttons

Optional 9V
battery

Joystick

MCU
section

Leds

PCB
antenna

CC2400 RF
section

3.3V voltage
regulator

1.8V voltage
regulator

Temp. sensor

Figure 1: CC2400DB overview

RF Section

The CC2400DB RF section includes all the necessary components for correct operation. The
CC2400 is connected to a 16 MHz crystal. A small 2.4 GHz PCB antenna is also included. RF
test and measurement equipment can be mounted the PCB by the use of an SMA connector,
by swapping capacitor placement of C63 and C62. See schematics for details. The RF layout
is identical to the CC2400EM, which is part of the CC2400DK Development Kit.

Important:

The CC2400DB demonstration board output power must be reduced for a 100% transmission
duty cycle to be compliant with the FCC 15 2

nd

harmonics regulation requirement. At the

moment the design is 1 dB above the limit.

Antenna

The PCB antenna is a so-called Inverted-F type. The Inverted-F antenna is a wire monopole
where the top section is folded down to be parallel with the ground plane. By folding the
antenna down you will reduce the height and maintain a resonant wire length. A capacitance
will be introduced to the input impedance of the antenna due to the parallel section. However,
as a rule of thumb design guide, the length + height (L+H) will be approximately equal to a

SWRU048 Page 4 of 30

quarter wavelength (λ/4). A reduction of the antenna height (H) will in general decrease the
antenna bandwidth. Please see figure 3 for the antenna dimensions.

Figure 2: Antenna dimensions

The height of the antenna is defined as the distance from the ground plane to the parallel
section, and the length is from the end of the antenna parallel section to the feed point.

Length: L = (26.19 mm – 9.19 mm + 1.22 mm x ½) = 17.61 mm

Height: H = (6.17 mm + 0.97 mm - 1.19 mm x ½) = 6.55 mm

Quarter wavelength: λ/4 = (L + H) = 17.61 mm + 6.55 mm = 24.16 mm

The physical size of the antenna is decreased somewhat compared to the theoretical length,
(λ = c/4*f = 3x10

8

/ 4x2.45x109) = 30.61 mm

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The radiated pattern for the PCB antenna was measured with the horizontal polarization
direction for the CC2400DB by measuring with vertical and horizontal mounting of the
demonstration board.

Important:

In practical range testing outdoors wi th line-of-sight (LOS) and use of the rf BlinkLed
application example, the f ollowing range has been verified at Chip con Norwa y with optimal
SmartRF Studio settings for the respective data rates:

1. Data rate settings 1 Mbps, range measured: 140 meters

2. Data rate settings 250 kbps, range measured: 240 meters

Please note that these range test s were performed at 0

°

C with a simple packet protocol, no

link margin, no robust protocol, close to the sensitivity limit of CC2400, and no retransmission.

0 degr.

Antenna

CC2400DB

Top view

Figure 3: Radiated pattern horizontal mounting

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Figure 3 depicts the antenna pattern while the CC2400DB is mounted horizontally with the
antennas parallel section aligned to the 0 degree direction.

0 degr.

Antenna

CC2400DB

Top view

Figure 4: Radiated antenna pattern vertical mounting

Figure 4 depicts the antenna pattern while the CC2400DB is mounted vertically with the
antennas parallel section aligned to the 0 degree direction.

Power supply section

The power supply section contains two voltage regulators: a 3.3 V regulator for use by the
microcontroller and the I/O pins of the CC2400, and a 1.8 V regulator for powering the
CC2400 core.

A diode prevents permanent damage if wrong polarity is applied to the board. There are two
power connectors; a 2.5mm DC jack-type connector allows you to connect an unregulated
battery eliminator easily (the positive supply is on the center pin), and a connector for a 9V
battery on the bottoms side of the PCB. It is also possible to use 3 or 4 AA or AAA alkaline
cells to power the CC2400DB if a suitable battery pack is used.

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RS-232 interface

A serial port is included on the CC2400DB. This port is used when software is programmed
into the AVR MCU using the boot loader, and is also used by several of the example
programs. The port includes support for RTS/CTS-type hardware flow control (handshaking).

Important:

It is important to be aware that maximum data rate for the A tmega8 RS-232 interface on
CC2400DB is 38.4 Kbps due to the use of the internal RC oscillator. Please see th e Atmega8
datasheet for a baud rate error overview with the respect to a selected oscillator freq ue ncy.

Microcontroller and user interface

The microcontroller used is an AVR Atmega8L from Atmel. This controller has 8 KB of Flash
program memory, 1 KB of SRAM data memory and 512 bytes of non-volatile EEPROM data
memory. The controller runs on its internal oscillator, and is interfaced to the CC2400 via its
built-in SPI interface as well as some general I/O pins.

The MCU is also connected to three LEDs, a joystick and an extra button for user interface
purposes. The different examples use these peripherals differently. An analog temperature
sensor is also included.

An ISP connector is provided for programming the AVR without using the serial port. In this
case an Atmel AVR programmer should be connected to this connector.

All of the I/O pins are connected to footprints for 2 x 10 pin-row connectors. These connectors
are compatible with Agilent logic analyzer probes, and can be used either for testing or for
prototyping. For instance, it is possible to add a daughter board with additional circuitry using
these connectors.

AVR Pin

AVR pin name Pin usage I/O connector

Number

1 PD3/INT1 CC2400 DIO/DKT P4 pin 14

2 PD4/XCK/T0 Yellow LED P4 pin 7

7 PB6/XTAL1/TOSC1 Joystick up P3 pin 9

8 PB7/XTAL2/TOSC2 Joystick right P3 pin 7

9 PD5/T1 Joystick down P3 pin 6

10 PD6/AIN0 Joystick left P3 pin 3

11 PD7/AIN1 Joystick center push P3 pin 5

12 PB0/ICP RS-232 handshaking RTS, push

P3 pin 13

button

13 PB1/OC1A RS-232 handshaking CTS, Red LED P3 pin 17

14 PB2/SS/OC1B CC2400 chip select P4 pin 13

15 PB3/MOSI/OC2 CC2400 SI, AVR ISP P4 pin 8

16 PB4/MISO CC2400 SO, AVR ISP P4 pin 6

17 PB5/SCK CC2400 SCK, AVR ISP P4 pin 4

19 ADC6 Not used P4 pin 11

22 ADC7 Temperature sensor P4 pin 9

23 PC0/ADC0 CC2400 GIO6 P4 pin 10

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24 PC1/ADC1 CC2400 GIO1 P4 pin 19

25 PC2/ADC2 CC2400 TX P4 pin 16

26 PC3/ADC3 CC2400 RX P4 pin 18

27 PC4/ADC4/SDA RS-232 on/off P3 pin 11

28 PC5/ADC5/SCL Green LED P4 pin 5

29 PC6/RESET Reset button, AVR ISP P4 pin 3

30 PD0/RXD RS-232 receive data from PC P3 pin 15

31 PD1/TXD RS-232 transmit data to PC P3 pin 19

32 PD2/INT0 CC2400 DCLK/FIFO P4 pin 12

Table 1: AVR I/O pins

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Pin
number

Signal name in
schematic

Pin usage CC2400

pin

AVR pin

1

2 Unregulated supply

voltage

3 PD6 Joystick left 10 (PD6/AIN0)

4

5 PD7 Joystick center push 11 (PD7/AIN1)

6 PD5 Joystick down 9 (PD5/T1)

7 PB7 Joystick right 8

(PB7/XTAL2/TOSC2)

8

9 PB6 Joystick up 7

(PB6/XTAL1/TOSC1)

10

11 FORCE_ON RS-232 on/off 27 (PC4/ADC4/SDA)

12

13 RTS RS-232 handshaking,

12 (PB0/ICP)

push button

14

15 RXD0 RS-232 data from PC 30 (PD0/RXD)

16

17 CTS RS-232 handshaking,

13 (PB1/OC1A)

Red LED

18

19 TXD0 RS-232 data to PC 31 (PD1/TXD)

20 GND Ground

Table 2: P3 pinout

SWRU048 Page 10 of 30

Pin
number

Signal name in
schematic

Pin usage CC2400

pin

AVR pin

1

2

3 RESET Reset 29 (PC6/RESET)

4 SCLK CC2400 serial clock,

32 (SCLK) 17 (PB5/SCK)

AVR ISP

5 PC5 Green LED 28 (PC5/ADC5/SCL)

6 SO CC2400 SPI out, AVR

34 (SO) 16 (PB4/MISO)

ISP

7 PD4 Yellow LED 2 (PD4/XCK/T0)

8 SI CC2400 SPI in, AVR

33 (SI) 15 (PB3/MOSI/OC2)

ISP

9 ADC7 Temperature sensor 22 (ADC7)

10 GIO6 CC2400 GIO6 35 (GIO6) 23 (PC0/ADC0)

11 ADC6 Not used 19 (ADC6)

12 DCLK/FIFO CC2400 DCLK/FIFO 30

32 (PD2/INT0)
(DCLK/FIF
O)

13 CSn CC2400 chip select 31 (CSn) 14 (PB2/SS/OC1B)

14 DIO/PKT CC2400 DIO/PKT 29

1 (PD3/INT1)
(DIO/PKT)

15 3.3V 3.3V regulated supply

16 TX CC2400 TX 28 (TX) 25 (PC2/ADC2)

17 1.8V 1.8V regulated supply

18 RX CC2400 RX 27 (RX) 26 (PC3/ADC3)

19 GIO1 CC2400 GIO1 21 (GIO1) 24 (OC1/ADC1)

20 GND Ground

Table 3: P4 pinout

PCB layout

RF circuits operating at high frequencies are normally sensitive to the physical layout of the
PCB. Chipcon has carefully optimized the layout of the CC2400DB Demonstration Board and
we therefore recommend that our customer copy, at least the RF parts and the decoupling
around the CC2400 when making their own PCB designs.

The PCB is of a 4-layer type in order to provide a well-defined ground plane as well as
adequate routing space. The laminate used is standard FR-4 board material. The PCB is

1.0mm thick, with layer 1 on the topside, layers 2 and 3 are internal layers and layer 4 is on
the bottom side. Layers 1 and 4 are used for routing, while layer 2 is a ground plane and layer
3 is used for power routing. All areas in the RF section that are not utilized for routing are
filled with copper connected to ground to provide RF shielding. The ground planes on all
layers are stitched together with closely spaced vias.

SWRU048 Page 11 of 30

Layer 1 Layer 2

Layer 3 Layer 4

Figure 5: CC2400DB PCB layout

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Top Assembly Bottom Assembly

Figure 6: CC2400DB PCB layout silkscreen

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Schematic

Figure 7: CC2400DB schematic page 1

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Figure 8: CC2400DB schematic page 2

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Figure 9: CC2400DB schematic page 3

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Figure 10: CC2400DB schematic page 4

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Figure 11: CC2400DB schematic page 5

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Bill of materials

Bill of materials, CC2400DB Top-level section

Reference Description Value Part

P1 DC jack, 2.5mm

DC_JACK_2.5

center pin

P2 D-Sub, 9 pin, female DSUB_9F

P3 PINROW_2X10 Pin row, 2x10

P3 PINROW_2X10 Pin row, 2x10

R101 Resistor 0603 0 Ω Not Mounted

Bill of materials, CC2400DB RF Section

Reference Description Value Part

C1 Capacitor 0603 2.2 uF, 10% C_2U2_0603_X5R_K_10

C11 Capacitor 0402 100 nF, 10% C_100N_0402_X5R_K_10

C61 Capacitor 0402 0.5 pF, ± 0.25 pF C_0P5_0402_NP0_C_50

C62 Capacitor 0402 5.6 pF, ± 0.25 pF Not Mounted

C63 Capacitor 0402 5.6 pF, ± 0.25 pF C_5P6_0402_NP0_C_50

C71 Capacitor 0402 100 nF, 10% C_100N_0402_X5R_K_10

C81 Capacitor 0402 0.5 pF, ± 0.25 pF C_0P5_0402_NP0_C_50

C101 Capacitor 0402 10 nF, 10% C_10N_0402_X7R_K_25

C161 Capacitor 0402 68 pF, 5% C_68P_0402_NP0_J_50

C251 Capacitor 0402 100 nF, 10% C_100N_0402_X5R_K_10

C261 Capacitor 0402 100 nF, 10% C_100N_0402_X5R_K_10

C411 Capacitor 0402 68 pF, 5% C_68P_0402_NP0_J_50

C421 Capacitor 0402 27 pF, 5% C_27P_0402_NP0_J_50

C431 Capacitor 0402 27 pF, 5% C_27P_0402_NP0_J_50

C481 Capacitor 0402 68 pF, 5% C_68P_0402_NP0_J_50

L61 Inductor 0402 7.5 nH, 5% L_7N5_0402_J

L62 Inductor 0402 5.6 nH, 5% L_5N6_0402_J

L71 Inductor 0402 27 nH, 5% L_27N_0402_J

L81 Inductor 0402 7.5 nH, 5% L_7N5_0402_J

P5 Surface-mount SMA,

SMA_SMD

straight

R4 Resistor 0402 2.2 Ω, 5% R2R2_0402_J

R451 Resistor 0402 43 kΩ, 1% R_43K_0402_F

SWRU048 Page 19 of 30

Bill of materials, CC2400DB RF Section

Reference Description Value Part

U1 Single-chip

CC2400

transceiver

X1 Crystal, ceramic

SMD 4x25mm

X_16.000/10/10/10/16 (Toyocom

TSX-10A 16M 16pF)

Note: The crystal X1 mounted on the EM board is a 16.000 MHz crystal, with ±10 ppm initial

tolerance, ± 10 ppm drift over temperature and a temperature range of –10˚ C to +60˚ C. The
crystal is designed for 16 pF load capacitance. In an actual application, the tolerance, drift
and temperature range of the crystal must be considered with application requirements in
mind. Please consult the data sheet and SmartRF

®

Studio for more information. It is possible
to choose a larger crystal package to save cost. The crystal should have an ESR of 60 Ω or
less.

Bill of materials, CC2400DB MCU secti on

Reference Description Value Part

C201 Capacitor 0603 100 nF, 10% C_100N_0603_X7R_K_50

C202 Capacitor 0603 100 nF, 10% C_100N_0603_X7R_K_50

C203 Capacitor 0603 100 nF, 10% C_100N_0603_X7R_K_50

C204 Capacitor 0603 33 nF, 10% C_33N_0603_X7R_K_25

C205 Capacitor 0603 100 nF, 10% C_100N_0603_X7R_K_50

D2 LED, red, SMD Red LED_CL150URCD

D3 LED, yellow, SMD Yellow LED_CL150YCD

D4 LED, green, SMD Green LED_CL150GCD

L201 EMI filter bead BLM18AG102SN1D

P6 ISP connector PINROW_2X3

R201 Resistor 0603 0 Ω, 1% R_0_0603

R202 Resistor 0603 0 Ω, 1% R_0_0603

R203 Resistor 0603 0 Ω, 1% R_0_0603

R204 Resistor 0603 270 Ω, 1% R_270_0603_J

R205 Resistor 0603 270 Ω, 1% R_270_0603_J

R206 Resistor 0603 270 Ω, 1% R_270_0603_J

R207 Resistor 0603 10 kΩ, 1% R_10K_0603_G

R208 Resistor 0603 10 kΩ, 1% R_10K_0603_G

S1 Push button, SMD ALPS-SKHUAF

S2 Push button, SMD ALPS-SKHUAF

U2 Temperature sensor,

LM61

SOT23

U3 Atmel microcontroller,

Atmega8

MLF32

SWRU048 Page 20 of 30

Bill of materials, CC2400DB MCU secti on

Reference Description Value Part

U5 4-directional switch

skrhab_e010

with a center push

Bill of materials, CC2400DB Voltage regul at or sec ti on

Reference Description Value Part

C401 Capacitor 1206 2.2 uF, 10% C_2U2_1206_X7R_K_10

C402 Capacitor 1206 2.2 uF, 10% C_2U2_1206_X7R_K_10

C403 Capacitor 0603 33 nF, 10% C_33N_0603_X7R_K_25

C404 Capacitor 0603 100 nF, 10% C_100N_0603_X7R_K_50

C405 Capacitor 1206 2.2 uF, 10% C_2U2_1206_X7R_K_10

D1 Schottkey diode, 2A 20BQ030

P7 9V battery connector

CONN_9V_POS

(positive)

P8 9V battery connector

CONN_9V_NEG

(negative)

U4 3.3V low drop-out

LP2981IM5-3.3

regulator

U6 1.8V low drop-out

XC6204B182MR

regulator

Bill of materials, CC2400DB RS-232 section

Reference Description Value Part

C501 Capacitor 0603 100 nF, 10% C_100N_0603_X7R_K_50

C502 Capacitor 0603 100 nF, 10% C_100N_0603_X7R_K_50

C503 Capacitor 0603 100 nF, 10% C_100N_0603_X7R_K_50

C504 Capacitor 0603 33 nF, 10% C_33N_0603_X7R_K_25

C505 Capacitor Low

470 uF C_470U_8_CVAX

Impedance

C506 Capacitor 1206 2.2 uF, 10% C_2U2_1206_X7R_K_10

C507 Capacitor 0603 100 nF, 10% C_100N_0603_X7R_K_50

U101 RS-232 Transceiver,

MAX3243CWI

3-5V

Table 4: Bill of material s

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Using the CC2400DB Demonstration Board

The CC2400DB Demonstration Board is designed to be useful for quick prototyping, and also
for quick practical evaluation such as range testing.

Software can be programmed into the AVR microcontroller either using an external
programmer such as the AVRISP programmer or using the serial port to communicate with
the boot loader that is programmed into the MCU when the CC2400DB is shipped from the
factory. If the boot loader is overwritten when using an external programmer, the AVR must
be re-programmed with the boot loader before it is possible to program the AVR via the serial
port again.

When shipped from the factory, the CC2400DB contains the boot loader and a simple
example that will transmit a packet when a button is pressed, and blink a LED when a packet
is received. This example is ideal for range testing, for instance.

CC2400 Software download and evaluation using AVR Studio 4

Use a serial cable connecting the serial interface of the CC2400DB to the serial port of a PC
running AVR Studio and SmartRF
RF parameters for the CC2400 and AVR Studio 4 to control the CC2400DB, development
board.

®

Studio. You can then use SmartRF® Studio to find all the

220V

PC running
AVRStudio

Power
supply

Serial cable

4-10V

Serial cable CC2400DB

AVRISP

Programmer

Figure 12: Software download using AVR Studio 4

The CC2400DB demonstration board can be used for application software development. To
download new application examples a PC must be communicating with CC2400DB running
AVR Studio. AVR Studio can be downloaded free of charge from the world-wide-web.

The configuration of the processor fuses is only performed through the SPI interface using
the AVRISP programmer and AVR Studio 4. The AVRISP fuse window is depicted in figure

13. The CC2400DB is configured with the following fuses enabled:

1. Boot Flash section size = 512 words Boot start address=$0E00;[BOOTSZ=01]

2. Brown out detection level at VCC = 2.7 V

3. Internal RC oscillator at 8 MHz Start up time 6CK + 0 ms

4. Preserve EEPROM memory through the Chip Erase Cycle

5. Boot vector enabled (default address = $0000)

SWRU048 Page 22 of 30

Figure 13: AVR Studio AVRISP Fuses Window

RC oscillator

The internal RC oscillator is used as reference time base. The oscillator frequency is
relatively independent of temperature and operating voltage. Its nominal frequency is 8 MHz.
A calibration feature utilising a calibration word programmed into the microcontroller at the
factory ensures that the oscillator frequency is equal from unit to unit. The calibration value is
stored at a fixed location in the EEPROM of the processor.

Microcontroller EEPROM mapping

The following map shows the data location. To customize the CC2400DB for a different
frequency, the EEPROM data can be replaced by new values found using the calibration
software. Please contact Chipcon Technical Support.

Note:

If a different RC oscillator frequency is used, a new calibration must be performed for the
desired frequency and stored at the correct location in EEPROM. The bootloader uses the
RS-232, so by changing the frequency the bootloader must be reprogrammed with the correct
baud setting for the frequency of choice. Please contact Chipcon Technical Support

EEPROM

Data Reference Comment

Address (hex)

0x01FF Calibration Value Calibration value is

only for 8 MHz

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Table 5: EEPROM memory map

In System Programming

Using the AVRISP in-circuit programmer or similar devices, the microcontroller can be
reprogrammed. The program code memory (flash) and the EEPROM can be reprogrammed.

AVRISP

Figure 14: AVRISP Program Window used to program flash or EEPROM

The device used for programming must be connected to the CC2400DB programming socket.
The programming interface uses 4 signal lines. These four lines can be accessed at the 6-pin
connector, P6. The pin out and description is listed in the table 5.

Signal/pin AVR

programming
socket, pin

MISO 1
SCK 3
MOSI 4
RESET 5
VCC 2
GND 6

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Table 6: ISP header connector

Bootloader

The CC2400DB is shipped with a bootloader. This loader communicates with AVR Studio.
After reset the bootloader must have a way to determine to start program mode or to run the
application software residing in the application code section of the flash. To start the
bootloader the Joystick center push on CC2400DB is used to enter program mode. This
button his held low after reset while starting the AVR Prog from the Tools menu in AVR
Studio until the bootloader program window is loaded. See figure 15 and 16.

Step-by-Step procedure:

1. Connect the CC2400DB serial port to your PC COM port

2. Connect power to CC2400DB

3. Start AVR Studio

4. Select Tools from the menu (See figure 15)

5. Reset CC2400DB and hold the Joystick Center push button down after reset and
start AVR Prog, bootloader will start (See figure 16)

6. Browse to find your application program *.hex file

7. Click on the Flash Program to program the flash

Important note:

If you should program the EEPROM p lease contact Chipcon Technical Support

8. Disconnect serial port

9. Reset CC2400DB

10. Start your application program

Figure 15: Starting AVR Prog in AVR Studio

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Figure 16: AVRprog bootloader Window

In the bootloader window the user can browse to the location of his application program and
program the application code section of the flash with the new application. After programming
is successful, reset the processor and the application code will start.

Important:

If the AVRISP programmer is used to program examples, the bootloader will be deleted if no
protection mode is applied to this sectio n of the processor flash. The bootloader is m o dified
source code from ATMEL AVR application note AVR109, Self programming and compiled
with IAR Embedded Workbench .

Introduction to examples provided with CC2400DB

The CC2400 Development Environment for the development of CC2400 software
applications is a combination of three tools, a text editor of choice e.g. (UltraEdit-32), a
compiler/assembler/linker and software platform provided by the processor manufacturer.
The CC2400 Development Environment is based on the “WinAVR”, which is a software
development tool. The WinAVR (pronounced “whenever”) is a suite of open source software
development tools for the Atmel AVR series of RISC microprocessors for the Windows
platform. It includes the GCC compiler for C and C++. This tool provides a framework for
most of the features supported by the Atmega8 microcontroller used with the CC2400DB
Demonstration Board.

The text editor of choice is primarily a tool for editing C source, assembler and make files.
However, it also provides syntax highlighting and other helpful functionality, such as a GUI
with possibility of project management, and C function highlighting.

Since the compiler/assembler/linker is integrated into another tool the text editor must be
configured with macros to support the make file provide with the for GCC compiler. More

SWRU048 Page 26 of 30

specifically the compiler converts one or more C source files into assembly code, which,
together with any handwritten assembler files are fed to the assembler. The assembler then
produces object files (machine code and binary data), which in turn are fed into the linker
together with the libraries and include files. Finally, the linker isolates functions and variables
that are actually used and produces an executable file in Intel HEX format that can be
downloaded into the FLASH memory of the Atmega8 microcontroller

Setting up a software project for CC2400

Before the CC2400 Development Environment can generate any target software it needs a
software project with consistent references to the actual target platform files is needed. These
references can be specified in the target project workspace of your text editor. See figure 17.

Figure 17: Software project workspace

Hardware Definition Files (HDF)

The hardware definition files (include files) define the hardware registers, interrupt vector
mapping and other hardware constants. They also include useful macros for the CC2400DB,
and all definitions generally support the C language.

The following files are included as hardware definition files,

• atmega.h

• CC2400.h

• devboard.h

• Utility.h

Hardware Library Files (HLF)

To support quick and easy program development Chipcon provides a library of macros and
functions that simplify hardware access to the CC2400 and the processor on the CC2400DB.
The files implement a hardware abstraction interface for the user program. As a result the
user program can access the e.g. microcontroller peripherals via function/macro calls without
specific knowledge about the hardware details

The following files are included as hardware library files,

• atmega.c

• CC2400.c

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• Utility.c

Configure output profile

The CC2400 Development Environment “build process” generates an executable file
according to the settings specified in the make file provided with the application examples
and by using the macros configured in the text editor. To support the processor target the
output file must be in the correct format.

With CC2400DB an RF link example is provided in the application code section of the
processor flash. The example is called rfBlinkLed. The application program is controlled by
the same push button as the bootloader, S2. See schematic layout for location of the button
on the PCB. Instead of powering up the board with the bootloader the board should be
powered up with the application code. The CC2400 is configured with default settings,
buffered mode, and a data rate of 1 Mbps.

Use the S2 push button to start the application. You will see that if you have no receiver up
and running the red LED will start to toggle. This means that you are not receiving
acknowledge form the receiver and thus have no link.

Data packet description

The data packet consists of a preamble, synchronization word, length byte, flag byte and a
data field. The length byte, flag byte and a fixed 10-byte payload are inserted by the
application.

The preamble, synchronization word and CRC is generated and inserted in the package by
CC2400. The data packet is shown in the figure 18.

Preamble

SOF

LENGTH

FLAGS PAYLOAD CRC

Inserted by CC2400

Figure 18 The data packet used in the rfBlinkLed example

Data transmission protocol

The data transmission protocol is very simple, only using packet acknowledgement (ACK).

When the receiver receives a data package, the packet type is checked for CRC. If the
message is OK, it is shown on the green receiver LED, and an acknowledgement is sent as a
reply. However, if an acknowledgement packet that is received by the transceiver originally
transmitting, receival of the ACK is indicated on the yellow LED without any further reply. If no
acknowledgement is received the red LED will toggle.

LED

LED

Device is active as

long as S2 push

button is held down

DEVICE 1

DEVICE 1

DEVICE 2

DEVICE 2

Receiver polling

Receiver polling

Initial

Initial
trans-

trans­mission

mission

Message

Message
shown on

shown on
receiver LED

receiver LED

LED

RX LED TX ACK

RX

TX RX

TX RX

Ack.

Ack.
trans-

trans­mission

mission

TX ACK

Acknowledge

Acknowledge
shown on

shown on
Transceiver

LED (ACK)

LED (ACK)

Figure 19 Data Transmission Protocol

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Troubleshooting

It does not work

• Make sure that the power supply is connected to the correct pins on the power
connector.

• Is the supply voltage correctly polarized? If not, the protection diode will prevent any
current from flowing. + and – are indicated on the PCB. On the DC jack, the tip is +
and the ring is –.

I cannot program the AVR using the serial port

• If you have programmed the AVR using an external programmer, you must use an
external programmer to program the AVR with the bootloader before you can use the
serial port to program the AVR again.

References

CC2400 Datasheet

Atmel Application note: AVR109 Self-programming (Bootloader for CC2400DBK is based on
this application note)

http://www.atmel.com/dyn/general/tech_doc.asp?doc_id=8053

AVR Studio:

http://www.avrfreaks.net/Home/News/article.php?NewsID=457

Or

http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools.asp?family_id=607

WINAVR / AVR GCC:

http://www.avrfreaks.net/AVRGCC/index.php

Document History

Revision Date Description/Changes

1.0 08.01.2004 Initial release.

1.1 28.01.2004 Cosmetic and bootloader section changes

1.2 13.02.2004 Minor BOM and layout change on CC2400DB

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Address Information

Web site: http://www.chipcon.com

E-mail: [e-mail]

Technical Support E-mail: [e-mail]

Technical Support Hotline: [phone]

Headquarters:

Chipcon AS
Gaustadalléen 21
NO-0349 Oslo
NORWAY
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

US Offices:

Chipcon Inc., Western US Sales Office
19925 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Cupertino, CA 95014-2358
USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Sales Office Germany:

Chipcon AS
Riedberghof 3
D-74379 Ingersheim
GERMANY
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Chipcon Inc., Eastern US Sales Office
35 Pinehurst Avenue
Nashua, New Hampshire, 03062
USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Chipcon AS (Strategic Automotive Center)
Hechtseestrasse 16
D-83022 Rosenheim
Germany
Tel: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Sales Office Asia :

Chipcon Asia Pasific
37F, Asem Tower
159-1 Samsung-dong, Kangnam-ku
Seoul 135-798 Korea
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

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