u-blox EVK-NINA-B3 Series, EVK-NINA-B301, EVK-NINA-B302, EVK-NINA-B312, EVK-NINA-B311 User Manual
B3 series
5 low energy modules. It also describes the different options for debugging
EVK-NINA-B3
Evaluation Kit for NINA-B3 modules
User Guide
Abstract
This document describes how to set up the EVK-NINA-B3 evaluation kit to evaluate NINAstandalone Bluetooth®
and the development capabilities included in the evaluation board.
www.u-blox.com
UBX-17056481 - R03
EVK-NINA-B3 - User Guide
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Document Information
Title EVK-NINA-B3
Subtitle Evaluation Kit for NINA-B3 modules
Document type User Guide
Document number UBX-17056481
Revision and date R03 13-Sep-2018
Disclosure Restriction
This document applies to the following products:
Product name Type number Firmware version PCN reference
EVK-NINA-B301 EVK-NINA-B301-00 EVK-NINA-B311 EVK-NINA-B311-00 EVK-NINA-B302 EVK-NINA-B302-00 -
EVK-NINA-B312 EVK-NINA-B312-00 -
UBX-17056481 - R03 Page 2 of 31
-blox AG.
-blox.com.
to, with respect to the accuracy, correctness, reliability and fitness for a particular
-blox.
-blox assumes no liability for its use. No warranty, either express or
-blox at any time without notice. For the most recent
EVK-NINA-B3 - User Guide
Contents
Document Information ................................................................................................................................ 2
Contents .......................................................................................................................................................... 3
1 Product description .............................................................................................................................. 4
1.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
1.2 Kit includes ................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.3 Key features ................................................................................................................................................. 5
1.4 EVK-NINA-B3 block diagram .................................................................................................................... 6
1.5 Connectors ................................................................................................................................................... 6
1.6 Powering options ......................................................................................................................................... 7
1.6.1 Selecting the power configuration jumpers .................................................................................. 8
1.6.2 Default power, 3.3 V ........................................................................................................................... 9
1.6.3 Battery powered, 3 V ........................................................................................................................10
1.6.4 Battery powered with protection diode, 2.7 V ............................................................................10
1.6.5 External supply ..................................................................................................................................11
1.6.6 Raspberry Pi HAT ..............................................................................................................................11
1.7 Arduino interface ......................................................................................................................................12
1.7.1 Arduino shield compatibility ...........................................................................................................14
1.8 Raspberry Pi compatible interface ........................................................................................................14
1.8.1 Powering considerations .................................................................................................................17
1.8.2 UART ...................................................................................................................................................17
1.8.3 EEPROM support ..............................................................................................................................17
1.9 Buttons and LEDs .....................................................................................................................................18
1.10 Disconnecting NINA signals from board peripherals ........................................................................18
1.11 Software debug options ..........................................................................................................................20
2 Setting up the evaluation board ..................................................................................................... 21
2.1 Evaluation board setup ............................................................................................................................21
2.2 Starting up .................................................................................................................................................21
2.2.1 EVK-NINA-B311 and EVK-NINA-B312 .........................................................................................21
2.2.2 EVK-NINA-B301 and EVK-NINA-B302 .........................................................................................21
2.3 Getting the latest software ....................................................................................................................22
Appendix ....................................................................................................................................................... 23
A Schematics ........................................................................................................................................... 23
B Glossary ..................................................................................................................................................29
Related documents ................................................................................................................................... 30
Revision history .......................................................................................................................................... 30
Contact ........................................................................................................................................................... 31
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EVK-NINA-B3 - User Guide
1 Product description
1.1 Overview
The u-blox EVK-NINA-B3 evaluation kit is a versatile development platform that allows quick
prototyping of a variety of extreme low-power Internet of Things (IoT) applications, using full
Bluetooth 5, NFC, and IEEE 802.15.4.
The u-blox EVK-NINA-B3 boards are available in the following four variants, depending on the required
antenna and software solution:
• EVK-NINA-B301, with an open CPU NINA-B301 module and an antenna connector for connecting
to external antennas.
• EVK-NINA-B311, with a NINA-B311 module including u-blox connectivity software, and an
antenna connector for connecting to external antennas.
• EVK-NINA-B302, with an open CPU NINA-B302 module that includes an internal antenna (a unique
2.4 GHz metal sheet antenna, soldered on to the module).
• EVK-NINA-B312, with a NINA-B312 module including u-blox connectivity software and an internal
antenna (a unique 2.4 GHz metal sheet antenna soldered on to the module).
The evaluation board provides access to all of the 38 GPIO pins and interfaces available on the
NINA-B3 modules through a variety of connectors and interfaces including Arduino™ Uno R3 and
Raspberry Pi header connectors.
The stand-alone NINA-B3 modules include an Arm
flash and 256 kB RAM, running at a system clock of 64 MHz. This has been integrated inside the
Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 chip that the modules are based on. The evaulation board provides
simple USB drag-n-drop programming and a SEGGER J-Link debug interface that can be used with
the open CPU variants of the EVK. Nordic provides a free Software Development Kit (SDK) with a broad
selection of drivers, libraries, and example applications that can be used for rapid prototyping.
®
Cortex®-M4F microcontroller with 1 MB internal
Figure 1: EVK-NINA-B311 evaluation board
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EVK-NINA-B3 - User Guide
⚠ Take care when handling the EVK-NINA-B302 or EVK-NINA-B312. Applying force to the NINA
module might damage the internal antenna.
1.2 Kit includes
The EVK-NINA-B3 evaluation kit includes the following:
• NINA-B3 evaluation board
• 2.4 GHz antenna with u.fl connector (only in EVK-NINA-B301 and EVK-NINA-B311)
• NFC antenna
• USB cable
• Quick Start card
1.3 Key features
• u-blox NINA-B3 Bluetooth Low Energy module based on the Nordic nRF52840 chipset
o Full Bluetooth 5 support
o NFC tag functionality
o 802.15.4 PHY
o Integrated Arm Cortex-M4 microcontroller with 1 MB flash, 256 kB RAM, and 64 MHz
system clock
o USB 2.0
o Wide 1.7-3.6 V supply range
• The NINA-B3 module supports different interfaces that can be configured to any of the 38
available GPIO pin(s):
o 8 analog capable inputs
o 12 PWM capable outputs
o 3x SPI
o 2x UART with HW flow control
o 2x I2C
o 1x I2S
o 1x PDM input
o 1x Quadrature decoder
• Full UART to USB converter with a Virtual COM port, allowing control of the extended UART
features of the u-blox connectivity software
• On-board J-Link debugger/programmer
o Mass Storage Device interface to PC, for drag-n-drop programming
o Debug port
o An additional Virtual COM port that, for example, may be connected to add-on boards
or to a debug UART on the NINA-B3
• Dedicated USB connector for the NINA-B3 USB interface
• Additional flash memory can be added to the board for use by the NINA-B3 module
• RGB LED and push-buttons
• Arduino UNO R3 and Raspberry Pi compatible pin header interfaces
• Jumper headers and level shifters allow for flexible powering options of the NINA-B3 module, even
with full board support. They isolate the module entirely and control each power net separately in
order to precisely measure low power applications or disconnect only unused parts of the board to
save battery life.
• Multiple board power supply options
o 5-12 V power plug
o 5 V USB supply
o 5-12 V Arduino VIN input
• Battery holder supporting CR2032 coin cell batteries
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EVK-NINA-B3 - User Guide
1.4 EVK-NINA-B3 block diagram
The block diagram of EVK-NINA-B3 is shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: EVK-NINA-B3 block diagram
The block diagram shows the major interfaces and internal connections of the EVK-NINA-B3. The
following sections describes in detail how the different interfaces are connected and may be used, as
well as how the evaluation board may be configured to suit the needs of the user.
1.5 Connectors
Figure 3 shows the available connectors of the EVK-NINA-B3 and their layout. Table 1 describes the
connectors and their uses in detail.
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EVK-NINA-B3 - User Guide
Figure 3: Available connectors and their pinout
Connector
annotation
J5 Power supply 2.1 mm power jack, the center pin is the positive terminal. 5 – 12 V input.
J17 Power supply Pin header that can be used to connect external power supplies. 5 – 12 V input.
BT1 Battery holder
J11
J10
J12
J21
J8
J16
Table 1: EVK-NINA-B3 connector description
Function Description
CR2032 coin cell battery holder. CR2032 usually has a 3 V potential when fully
charged.
NFC antenna
connector
2.4 GHz RF antenna
connector
Cortex Debug
connector
Cortex Debug+ETM
connector
Power supply, COM
port and debug USB
Power supply and
NINA USB port
Pin header that connects to the u-blox NFC antenna included in the kit.
U.FL coaxial connector that can be used to connect antennas or RF equipment. This
connector is only included in the EVK-NINA-B301/EVK-NINA-B311.
10-pin, 50 mil pitch connector that can be used to connect external debuggers to the
NINA-B3 module. The NINA-B3 modules support Serial Wire debug (SWD) and Serial
Wire Viewer, but not JTAG debug.
20-pin, 50 mil pitch connector. This extended connector has the same features as
J12, but also allows for instruction trace operations via the Embedded Trace
Macrocell (ETM) of the Cortex-M4 microcontroller inside the NINA-B3 module. This
requires a special external debugger. Note that the 50 mil pitch pin header is not
soldered onto the evaluation board by default.
The main USB connector that is used to program, debug, and communicate with the
NINA module. It can also be used to power the entire board.
Additional USB connector directly connected to the NINA-B3 USB interface. Can also
be used to power the entire board.
1.6 Powering options
Power can be supplied to the board in any of the following ways:
• Via any of the USB connectors, J8 or J16
• Using the power jack, J5
• Using the Arduino interface VIN pin
• Using the pin header J17
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EVK-NINA-B3 - User Guide
• Plugging in a battery to the battery holder BT1
These power supply sources are distributed to the rest of the board as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4: Block diagram of the power net distribution
1.6.1 Selecting the power configuration jumpers
The EVK-NINA-B3 offers flexible powering options for the NINA-B3 module and the board itself. To
configure this, jumpers are added or removed to pin headers, shorting two of the pins together and
connecting or disconnecting different power nets on the evaluation board. Figure 5 shows the location
of the power configuration jumper headers. The 3V3 net is supplied by the board and will always be
powered as long as any of the power sources shown in Figure 4 are connected. The 3V3 net will not
provide power unless a jumper is added to jumper header J7.
Figure 5: Jumper headers J7 and J22 are used to select power configurations
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EVK-NINA-B3 - User Guide
this net must be floating to prevent back currents. If a HAT is connected, this net can
Connector
annotation
J7 1 3V3
J22 1 VCC
Table 2: Pinout of jumper headers J7 and J22 used to configure the board power nets
Pin
number
2 3V3_PI
3 VBAT_DIODE
4 VDD_NINA
5 VBAT Battery + terminal
6 VDD_NINA
7 3V3
8 VDD_NINA
9 3V3
10 VDD_MCU
11 GND Ground net.
12 GND Ground net.
2 VCC_IO
3 VDD_NINA
4 VDD_IO
5 GND Ground net.
6 GND Ground net.
Schematic
net name
Description
Regulated 3.3 V net. This net is supplied by the board and will always be powered as
long as a power source is connected.
Connects to the Raspberry Pi header’s (J14) 3V3 pins. If a Raspberry Pi is connected,
be shorted to the EVK 3.3 V supply to power the HAT.
To protect the battery from current back surges, connect the battery to the NINA
module via a protection diode using this pin.
Connects to J22 pin 3, from where it can be connected to the module supply pin or
somewhere else.
Connects to J22 pin 3, from where it can be connected to the module supply pin or
somewhere else.
Regulated 3.3 V net. This net is supplied by the board and will always be powered as
long as a power source is connected.
Connects to J22 pin 3, from where it can be connected to the module supply pin or
somewhere else.
Regulated 3.3 V net. This net is supplied by the board and will always be powered as
long as a power source is connected.
Supply net for the board functions not directly connected to the NINA module;
Interface MCU, USB hub, UART to USB converter etc.
NINA module voltage supply that connects to the module VCC pin. Shorted to the
VCC_IO net via 0 Ω resistor R4 by default.
Connects to the NINA module VCC_IO pin. Shorted to the VCC net via 0 Ω resistor R4
by default.
Connects to J7 pins 4, 6 and 8. Short J22 pins 1 and 3 allow the EVK to power the
NINA module.
Supply net for LEDs and peripherals connected directly to the NINA module. Short
J22 pins 2 and 4 use the NINA module I/O voltage as supply.
The following sections describe different jumper configurations and power scenarios that is available
on the board, including the default configuration.
⚠ Check the jumper positions carefully; if a jumper is connected in a wrong way, it can permanently
damage the components that are on or connected to the board.
1.6.2 Default power, 3.3 V
This is the default power configuration for the evaluation board, and the jumpers are installed out of
the box with this power configuration. All board peripherals are powered up, the NINA module is
directly supplied by the board and everything is running at 3.3 V.
Figure 6: Jumper positions for default power configuration
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EVK-NINA-B3 - User Guide
Connector
annotation
J7 7, 8 Selects the board regulated 3.3 V net as source for the VDD_NINA net.
J22 1, 3
Table 3: Jumper positions for default power configuration
Add jumper
to pins
9, 10 Powers up the Interface MCU, USB hub, and UART to USB converter with 3.3 V.
2, 4
Description
Powers up the NINA module. The NINA VCC and VCC_IO pins are connected to the selected
source for the VDD_NINA net.
Powers up the peripherals directly connected to NINA such as LEDs and external memory with
the NINA supply voltage.
1.6.3 Battery powered, 3 V
When using a battery, Figure 7 shows the default configuration. The battery voltage is connected to
VDD_NINA, which in turn, is connected to the NINA-B3 VCC supply. If needed, a jumper can be added
to J22 pins 2 and 4 to supply LEDs and other peripherals with power, as long as this does not exceed
the maximum current rating of the battery. If the NINA module has to be configured, the VDD_MCU
net can be connected to enable PC communications by adding a jumper to J7 pins 9 and 10.
Figure 7: Jumper positions for battery powered operation, two jumpers are optional
Connector
annotation
J7 5, 6 Selects the battery connected to the battery holder as source for the VDD_NINA net.
J22 1, 3
Table 4: Jumper positions for battery powered operation, two jumpers are optional
Add jumper
to pins
9, 10 (Optional) Powers up the Interface MCU, USB hub, and UART to USB converter with 3.3 V.
2, 4
Description
Powers up the NINA module. The NINA VCC and VCC_IO pins are connected to the selected
source for the VDD_NINA net.
(Optional) Powers up the peripherals directly connected to NINA such as LEDs and external
memory with the NINA supply voltage.
1.6.4 Battery powered with protection diode, 2.7 V
This use case is meant to protect the battery from current back surges. When using the NFC
interface, there is a risk that the applied electromagnetic field can cause back surges that will typically
damage a non-chargeable battery. To prevent this damage, a schottky diode can be added in series
to the battery, which will block any back current surges. A jumper should then be added to J7 pins - 3
and 4 instead of 5 and 6.
The diode will lower the voltage level of the battery by about 0.3 V.
Figure 8: Jumper positions for battery powered operation with a protection diode, two jumpers are optional
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