Atmel AT86RF211 User manual

AT86RF211 Development Kit
..............................................................................................
User Guide

AT86RF211 Development Kit User Guide i
5307C–WIRE–04/04
Table of Contents
Section 1
Introduction...........................................................................................1-1
1.1 Description................................................................................................1-1
1.2 Disclaimer .................................................................................................1-1
1.3 Overview...................................................................................................1-2
Section 2
Hardware Description ...........................................................................2-1
2.1 Power Supply............................................................................................2-2
2.2 AVR®Motherboard ...................................................................................2-2
Section 3
Using this Kit for Demonstration
Purposes...............................................................................................3-1
3.1 Radio Parameters.....................................................................................3-1
3.2 Protocol.....................................................................................................3-1
3.3 Data Frames .............................................................................................3-2
3.4 Getting Started with the Light Polling Demo .............................................3-2
3.4.1 Light Polling........................................................................................3-3
3.4.2 Setting the PA Level...........................................................................3-3
3.4.3 Setting the Frequency ........................................................................3-3
3.4.4 Error Count.........................................................................................3-4
Section 4
Using this Kit for (RF) Evaluation..........................................................4-1
4.1 Software Installation..................................................................................4-1
4.2 Software Description.................................................................................4-4
4.2.1 SETUP (Programming Menu).............................................................4-4
4.2.2 DEMO (Action Menu) .........................................................................4-8
4.2.3 DEBUG Mode...................................................................................4-10
4.3 Example: Measurement of Output Power and Spectral Purity................4-11
4.4 Example: Measurement of Sensitivity.....................................................4-12
Section 5
Using this Kit to Develop Prototypes ....................................................5-1
Section 6
Schematics, Layout and Additional Software Tools..............................6-1
6.1 Schematics and Layout.............................................................................6-1
6.2 Additional Software Tools for Sleep Mode Implementation ......................6-1

-ii AT86RF211 Development Kit User Guide
5307C–WIRE–04/04

AT86RF211 Development Kit User Guide 1-1
Rev. 5307C–WIRE–04/04
Section 1
Introduction
1.1 Description This kit was designed to enable you to quickly start working with the
AT86RF211(TRX01) transceiver and its companion AVR®microcontroller (AT90
series).
It includes:
An embedded demonstration software.
A PC software and dongle for RF evaluation.
All the tools needed to build your own stand-alone application (development of
prototypes): batteries, LCD for debugging purposes, In System Programming, 3-bit
encoder, push button, connector for external power supply adapter, etc... Software
functions required to set up the transceiver and send/receive data are also provided to
make it easy to write your own application software. You are welcome to reuse them
when it comes to writing your own application software.
1.2 Disclaimer This kit must be regarded as a tool, not a finished product. It allows you to evaluate
the performances of the AT86RF211 thanks to relevant measurement devices
(oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, etc...), design prototypes (by adding sensors or any
component required by a given application) and debug software. It CANNOT be re-
sold as a finished product that must be compliant with local relevant regulations.
Since this Development Kit is intended to be used on an industrial workbench and
modified by the user to build his prototypes, NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND can
apply. The user MUST read the user guide BEFORE using this kit, to know its
features and use it accordingly. NO LIABILITY will be accepted by Atmel, whatsoever
may arise as a result of the use of these boards.

Introduction
1-2 AT86RF211 Development Kit User Guide
5307C–WIRE–04/04
1.3 Overview A demo can be performed with a set of:
Two motherboards: AVR®microcontroller (AT90LS8535), LCD COG module, LEDS.
Figure 1-1. AVR®Motherboard
Ordering part number: AT86RF211-DK.
Two RF modules: plugged onto the motherboards, they operate the RF transmissions.
Several part numbers are available, adapated to every application: long distance,
lower cost, printed antennae and inductors.
Figure 1-2. Example of RF module
Please refer to the Bill of Material application note to choose the board that best adapts
to your needs.

AT86RF211 Development Kit User Guide 2-1
Rev. 5307C–WIRE–04/04
Section 2
Hardware Description
All schematics and layouts are given in Appendix 1.
The RF module is ordered
and delivered separately

Hardware Description
2-2 AT86RF211 Development Kit User Guide
5307C–WIRE–04/04
2.1 Power Supply You can work with 1 or 2 batteries (AA or AAA) as well as an external power supply
(connector J1).
Warning: The board is NOT protected against reversal, nor is a fuse mounted. Polarity
MUST always be respected. NEVER apply a voltage greater than 5V to this board. If
unused, BT2 battery must be replaced by a fuse F1 (typ. 0.2A). These instructions
remain valid regardless of what is made with these boards.
Plugging a jack connector automatically disconnects the batteries.
Note: The AT86RF211 dongle requires a 5V power supply to work properly, as well as
some AVR ISP dongles available on the market.
NO brown-out circuit is mounted on the board, since it depends on the user’s choice
of power supply voltage. Mounting such a circuit is very easy since a metallized hole
connected to the RESET is available close to Vcc and GND on the board (below the
“ISP” inscription).
2.2 AVR®
Motherboard The main features are:
An LCD for debugging purposes with its own step-up DC/DC converter U2 (5V output)
and level translator (U3). Since a DC/DC converter is a source of noise, its input is
filtered by a πstage (two low ESR tantalum capacitors and a 10Ωresistor). This
resistor may have to be adapted or replaced by an inductance if higher currents are to
be delivered.
Note: This 5V output is available for other circuits. If the AT86RF211 is powered through this 5V
converter, output noise could decrease the performances of the transceiver, and an addi-
tional relevant filtering stage would have to be added.
3 LEDs for debugging purposes: DL1 (green) and DL3 (red) are connected to
microcontroller ports. DL2 (yellow) is ON when the AT86RF211 is in reception or
transmit mode, thanks to comparator U7 (useful for debugging Wake-Up mode
protocols).
A 2.5V Voltage Reference for the A/D converter or any other application.
2 buttons for Hardware Reset (S3) or external interrupt (S4).
A 3-bit encoder (wheel) for the selection of any parameter you want.
GR1 to GR3 to manage the DATACLK signal as an External Interrupt, a Time Input
Capture or a standard Input Port depending on your needs. Demo software uses the
External Interrupt input pin.
GR4 to allow Wake-Up from AT86RF211 or External Wake-up (wired OR).
U1 and the components around it are unused, so the user can take advantage of
these footprints to place his own AOP and SMD components (also 3 footprints of
SMD packages on the other side).
A light sensor RV3.
Warning
5V max.

Hardware Description
AT86RF211 Development Kit User Guide 2-3
5307C–WIRE–04/04
A connector for In System Programming JP2. An Atmel AVR®dongle must be used,
and its cable simply plugged into JP2. 5V is required by some AVR®dongles to work
properly.
Several filtering stages are foreseen at critical places: radio/digital interface, connectors
to the “external world”. Some of them are not used on this evaluation board, but can be
implemented if your application requires them without having to cut any trace. On the
other hand, once the application is meeting all your specifications, it is naturally possible
to cut costs by removing some of these components, such as decoupling capacitors
(experience shows that it is better to do so in a second step, once everything works).

Hardware Description
2-4 AT86RF211 Development Kit User Guide
5307C–WIRE–04/04