u-blox EVK BMD-345 User Manual
EVK BMD-345
Evaluation kit for BMD-345 module
User guide
Abstract
This document describes how to set up the EVK-BMD-345 evaluation kit to evaluate the BMD-345
modules. It also describes the different options for debugging and the development capabilities
included in the evaluation board.
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EVK BMD-345 - User guide
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Document information
Title EVK BMD-345
Subtitle Evaluation kit for BMD-345 module
Document type User guide
Document number UBX-19051533
Revision and date R03 16-Apr-2021
Disclosure restriction C1-Public
This document applies to the following products:
Product name
BMD-345-Eval
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h the express written permission of u-blox.
-blox assumes no liability for its use. No warranty, either express or
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-blox at any time without notice. For the most recent
-blox.com.
-blox AG.
EVK BMD-345 - User guide
Contents
Document information ............................................................................................................................. 2
Contents ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
1 Product description ............................................................................................................................ 4
1.1 Key features ................................................................................................................................................. 4
1.2 Kit includes ................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.3 Development tools ...................................................................................................................................... 5
2 Hardware description......................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Power ............................................................................................................................................................. 6
2.1.1 Powering the board ............................................................................................................................ 6
2.2 Reset .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
2.3 Buttons .......................................................................................................................................................... 9
2.4 LEDs ............................................................................................................................................................... 9
2.5 Virtual COM port ....................................................................................................................................... 10
2.6 32 kHz crystal oscillator .......................................................................................................................... 10
2.7 NFC connector ........................................................................................................................................... 11
2.8 Current sensing headers ......................................................................................................................... 11
2.9 External SEGGER J-Link™ debug interface ........................................................................................ 11
2.10 QSPI ............................................................................................................................................................. 13
2.11 GPIO jumpers ............................................................................................................................................. 13
2.12 Header pin-out ........................................................................................................................................... 14
3 Setting up the evaluation board .................................................................................................. 17
3.1 Set up the tool chain ................................................................................................................................. 17
3.2 Connect BMD-345 evaluation kit to a computer ................................................................................ 18
3.3 Modify an example to enable the PA / LNA .......................................................................................... 20
3.3.1 Example setup ................................................................................................................................... 20
3.3.2 Example test ...................................................................................................................................... 23
Related documents ................................................................................................................................ 26
Revision history ....................................................................................................................................... 27
Contact ....................................................................................................................................................... 28
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EVK BMD-345 - User guide
1 Product description
The BMD-345-EVAL kit provides stand-alone use of the BMD-345 module featuring the Nordic
nRF52840 RF System on Chip (SoC) and a Skyworks RFX2411 Power Amplifier / Low Noise Amplifier
(PA / LNA).
The evaluation kit provides a great starting point for almost any Bluetooth 5 low energy, Thread, or
Zigbee project. All features of the BMD-345 are easily accessed from the evaluation board. A simple
USB connection provides power, programming, and a virtual COM port. Four user buttons are
available, as well as a USB peripheral connector, user LEDs, and a reset button. 44 GPIO are available
on headers that are compatible with the Arduino® form factor. This allows easy use of existing
Arduino shields. Current sense resistors allow for measuring current into the module and into the
shield.
This guide provides setup instructions for starting development and describes the hardware
functionality of the BMD-345-EVAL board.
1.1 Key features
• Used for evaluation of BMD-345 module
• On-board programming and debug (SEGGER J-Link-OB)
• Able to program external modules
• Virtual COM port over USB
• 44 GPIO of the BMD-345 / nRF52840
• Buttons and LEDs for user interaction
• NFC antenna connector
• 32.768 kHz Crystal
• USB peripheral connector
• Multiple power inputs
Figure 1: EVK BMD-345 evaluation board (Top view)
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EVK BMD-345 - User guide
1.2 Kit includes
BMD-345 evaluation kit includes:
• BMD-345 evaluation board
• Micro-USB cable
• NFC antenna
• 2.4 GHz antenna kit
1.3 Development tools
The tools listed below will aid in development with the BMD-345 modules. Not all tools will be required
depending on which software suite is used.
Tool Description
SEGGER Embedded Studio SEGGER Embedded Studio is an easy-to-use integrated development environment with
project management tools, editor and debugger supporting ARM Cortex devices. Full
debug support including Real Time Terminal (RTT) output is also available. Available for
Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Free license for use with the Nordic nRF5 ICs and modules:
http://license.segger.com/Nordic.cgi
SEGGER J-Link Software and
Documentation Pack
Nordic Semiconductor SDK The nRF5 SDK is your first stop for building fully featured, reliable and secure
Nordic Semiconductor
nRF Connect for Desktop
Nordic Semiconductor
nRF Connect for Mobile
Nordic Semiconductor
Mobile Apps
Table 1: Useful tools
J-Link Commander (JLink.exe) is a command line-based utility that can be used for
verifying proper functionality of J-Link as well as for simple analysis of the target
system. It supports some simple commands, such as memory dump, halt, step, go etc.
to verify the target connection. Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
applications with the nRF52 and nRF51 series. It offers developers a wealth of varied
modules and examples right across the spectrum including numerous Bluetooth Low
Energy profiles, Device Firmware Upgrade (DFU), GATT serializer and driver support for
all peripherals on all nRF5 Series devices.
SDKs for Bluetooth Mesh, Thread, Zigbee and other protocols are also available.
nRF Connect is a cross-platform tool that enables testing and development with
Bluetooth® low energy (previously called Bluetooth Smart). It allows easy setup of
connections with other devices and uses these connections to read and write the
external nodes. Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
nRF Connect for Mobile, previously known as nRF Master Control Panel, is a powerful
generic tool that allows you to scan and explore your Bluetooth low energy devices and
communicate with them. nRF Connect for Mobile supports several Bluetooth SIG
adopted profiles, as well as the Device Firmware Update profile (DFU) from Nordic
Semiconductor or Eddystone from Google. Available for iOS and Android.
Additional mobile utilities for your application development. Available for iOS and
Android.
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EVK BMD-345 - User guide
2 Hardware description
Design files for the BMD-345 evaluation board may be requested from the u-blox support team.
Figure 2: Features (Top view)
2.1 Power
The BMD-345 evaluation board has four possible power sources:
• USB from the debug interface
• USB from the BMD-345 interface
• 2.54 mm through-hole connector for connecting 3.3 V
• Lithium Polymer (LiPo) battery input
These power sources use protection diodes to prevent reverse voltage to any supply. This allows them
to be used simultaneously. Solder jumpers are provided to allow by-passing any of the protection
diodes eliminating the voltage drop across them.
⚠ Care should be taken to not damage the supplies when the protection is by-passed.
2.1.1 Powering the board
During typical debugging, power will be provided by VBUS on the USB debug interface to supply 5 V to
the 3.3 V LDO regulator and to the shield connector. The 3.3 V LDO regulator will then power VIO,
VSHLD, and VBMD.
When powering the board from the external power header or the LiPo header, USB can be left
disconnected. In this configuration, the interface IC is held in reset to conserve power.
☞ Only if the power protection diodes are left intact can the USB be safely connected at the same
time as the external power is still applied, which allows for easy programming of the module.
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EVK BMD-345 - User guide
Figure 3: Schematic – Power supply
2.2 Reset
The BMD-345 module has a configurable hardware reset. P0.18 is assumed to be used as the reset
pin for all BMD-345 and Nordic example projects, and thus the evaluation board hardware is
configured to use P0.18 as a reset. The Reset button can be configured to connect to an input on the
interface IC or to directly connect to P0.18.
The reset button is connected to the IC used for the J-Link interface by default. Pressing reset while
the interface IC is powered will cause a momentary reset signal on the RESET_N output of the
interface IC, which is connected via solder jumper to P0.18 of the BMD-345 module. If the reset button
is held down during EVK power on, it will cause the interface IC to enter its bootloader mode, allowing
either SEGGER J-Link programmer firmware to be programmed.
When the reset button is directly connected to P0.18, it can be used as a fifth user button or as a reset
button directly connected to the BMD-345 module.
Solder jumper J18 is used to connect P0.18 of the BMD-345 module to the RESET_N net. RESET_N
is connected to the interface IC and to the reset connections on the Arduino headers.
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EVK BMD-345 - User guide
Figure 4: Schematic – Reset
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2.3 Buttons
The evaluation board has four user buttons: Button 1, Button 2, Button 3, and Button 4. All buttons
are active low; they will connect to ground when pressed. The button GPIO pins must be configured
with internal pull-up resistors for proper operation when using the user buttons. The buttons and ESD
protection can be completely removed from the circuit by breaking the associated jumper.
Figure 5: Schematic – User buttons
2.4 LEDs
User LEDs are provided on the evaluation board - two red and two green. An RGB LED is included as
well and can be enabled by changing the position of JLED. LEDs are powered by VIO and are active
low. The GPIO should be enabled for high drive when sinking current for the LEDs. The LEDs can be
completely removed from the circuit by breaking the associated jumper.
Figure 6: Schematic – User LEDs
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