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

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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
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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
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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
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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
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AT86RF211 Development Kit User Guide 3-1
Rev. 5307C–WIRE–04/04
Section 3
Using this Kit for Demonstration
Purposes
3.1 Radio
Parameters The light polling demo is the software initially mounted onto any development kit deliv-
ered to customers. Its development is such that it ensures the demo is reliable without
having to make any adjustments.
Bi-phase coding is used to simplify demodulation (one transition per bit). Thus, any
mounted RF module can fit.
The Data Slicer reference level is set to external.
The data throughput is set to 4.8 kbps, for a maximum physical baud rate of 9.6 kbps.
RF211 radio modules with either a narrow IF2 filter for high selectivity or no IF2 filter
can fit.
Fixed digitally selectable frequencies are incorporated:
– For Europe: 433.5 or 868.3 MHz
– For the USA: 915 MHz
3.2 Protocol The master unit sends the requested frame several times, then switches to reception
mode while waiting for an answer. The slave unit scans the radio activity once every 2
seconds and responds to any valid request.
Figure 3-1. Master/Slave Data Transmission
Master Slave
Transmission
timeslot Listening
timeslot
Transmission
timeslot
Listening
timeslot
tt

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Note: This very simple protocol does not rely on any specific or optimized way to exchange
data packets. On a power consumption basis for instance, the demo is not efficient. It
does, however, have the advantage of being relatively robust, hence the probability of
losing any messages is reduced.
3.3 Data Frames The frames exchanged between the master and the slave have the following configura-
tion:
From the master to the slave, N= 1. The message is a request for information.
From the slave to the master, N = 5. The five bytes of this message include light level
information (coded on 10 bits), level of RSSI, etc .
3.4 Getting Started
with the Light
Polling Demo
When you switch on the development kit, a splash screen welcomes you:
Note: The frequency band must of course be selected in accordance with the RF module
plugged into your development kit.
Press the button. The following screen appears:
The blinking black cursor indicates that you can make a selection by turning the rotary
switch on the side of the development kit unit.
Header
1 byte Sync 1 byte SOF 1 byte
Message
size
1 byte
Message
data
N bytes
CRC
1 byte EOF 1 byte
0 x 55 0 x CD 0 x A5 N CRC8 0 x 5A
Light Demo V2. 06
Slave – 915 MHz
Light Demo V2. 0 6
Master – 915 MHz
Light Polling
NRZ encoded Manchester encoded

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At this stage you can select the following menus:
Enter the desired menu by briefly pressing the button.
3.4.1 Light Polling Light polling is performed continuously and the information is updated approximately
every second, until the button is pressed to exit.
The light intensity information is coded onto 10 bits, which explains why the result is
given on a full scale of 1023.
Mxx stands for the RSSI value on the master unit. Full scale is from M0 to M63.
Sxx is also the RSSI value for the slave unit, ranging from S0 to S63.
PAx repeats the value chosen for the Power Amplifier’s amplification level (from P0 to
P7).
3.4.2 Setting the PA Level On the RF chip, eight power levels are digitally selectable thanks to three bits in the
CTRL1 register. They are called TXLVL:
The level can of course be adjusted by turning the rotary switch and pressing the button
to confirm the choice and exit.
3.4.3 Setting the
Frequency
As before, use the rotary switch and the button to select and confirm your choice.
Light Polling PA Level Frequency
RSSI M52 S51 PA7
Light 523/1023
TXLVL = 2
Frequency band
433 MHz

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AT86RF211 Development Kit User Guide 4-1
Rev. 5307C–WIRE–04/04
Section 4
Using this Kit for (RF) Evaluation
By switching S2 to the “up” position, the AT86RF211 is disconnected from the AVR®
microcontroller and connected to connector JP1 (upper right side of the board). By con-
necting this 6-pin connector, JP1, to a PC’s printer port (via the dongle included in the
kit), and using the PC software, you will be able to set up the transceiver to meet your
needs (i.e. for radio evaluation purposes) and have a direct link to the transceiver’s reg-
isters (i.e. for software debugging purposes).
Note: The AT86RF211 dongle requires an external 5V power supply to operate cor-
rectly (connector J1).
4.1 Software
Installation Note: This software requires a PC running Windows®98, Me, 2000 or XP and 6 MB of
memory.
1. Insert the CD-ROM in the disk drive.
2. Open the PC Software folder.
3. Double-click on Setup.exe.
The software is installed in the C:\AT86RF211 directory. It includes:
‘exe’ and ‘dll’ program files
‘gif’ and ‘ini’ graphic files and their locations
A setup file for TCL/TK programming language installation
A setup file to install appropriate drivers
Script and other configuration files

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4. The fourth screen suggests you create a desktop icon for the program:
It is best to ignore this option for now. Icons can be created afterwards depending on
your preferences (quicklaunch, desktop...).
5. The program launches the installation of:
TCL / TK
Drivers
You should install these two programs before launching the software itself.

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6. Install the drivers and launch the software.
Note: On Windows 98, the following screens appear in french:
This screen asks you to insert the ‘Jungo Installation Disc’. Simply click OK.
This screen explains that the file ‘windrvr6.sys’ on the Jungo Installation Disc cannot be
found and that files should be copied from C:\AT86RF211\Drivers. Ignore these mes-
sages and continue the installation by clicking on OK.
7. Install TCL 7.5 and TK 4.1.
The PC software is now ready to run and the desktop icon can now be created.

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4.2 Software
Description Note: To close the program properly, ALWAYS use the Exit button (not the “X” at the
upper right hand corner of the window).
This evaluation software comprises two main screens:
SETUP screen: you can “manually” describe the AT86RF211 configuration wanted or
load a pre-registered set-up by pressing LOAD. The main menu is called
Setup_AT86RF211(TRX01). You may also enter the PRE-SETUP menu for less
frequently performed actions.
DEMO screen: open the DEMO screen by clicking on EXECUTE from the SETUP
window. The configuration is sent to the AT96RF211, and a link is established with the
transceiver. It also gives you access to the contents of the registers.
The main menu is called the demo_ AT86RF211(TRX01) menu, where you are able to:
– RESET (AT86RF211 hardware reset)
– DEBUG (direct link with all AT86RF211 registers)
– View registers’ contents (VIEW CTRL & STAT REG, VIEW FREQ…)
– Etc...
4.2.1 SETUP
(Programming
Menu)
1. When the software is run, the SETUP menu appears. It provides quick access to
the configuration of parameters that are most frequently changed. Other param-
eters are changed in the PRE-SETUP. Click on PRE-SETUP at the bottom of the
SETUP window to change menu windows.
You can modify the default or loaded configuration according to your application:
IF Frequency: 10.7 MHz for cost reduction (low cost filter, requiring a 10.245 MHz
crystal), or 21.4 MHz for better image rejection (more expensive filter, requiring a
20.945 MHz crystal).
Note: The IF filter and the crystal have to be chosen accordingly.

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FM BW (FM bandwidth): must be set in accordance with the application note
“Understanding the Demodulation and Data Slicing Features”, concerning the
relationship between data rate, frequency deviation and demodulator capabilities.
Data Slicer Threshold: the output of the discriminator can be compared to:
– An internal threshold (“internal mode”): “absolute” slicing is possible (no need
to have a DC free message) but the threshold must be properly measured and
stored into the relevant register.
– Its own average value (“external mode”): the baseband signal must be DC
free.
Enable PA on Lock Detect: transmission is forbidden until the PLL is locked.
PLL Lock Precision: definition of lock and unlock “diagnosis” (please refer to the
datasheet for more details about this point, default values are valid for many
applications).
Maximum Frequency Deviation (kHz): indicates the maximum frequency deviation
that can be chosen in the SETUP menu.
2. Once pre-setup is completed, click on Return to SETUP for configuration of
other parameters. You are now able to specify the main parameters of the
AT86RF211.
Operating mode:
–PDN = Power Down
–RX = Receive mode
–TX = Transmit mode
–PDN/PA = Transmit mode but the output is switched OFF (application: can be
instantaneously turned to TX mode for applications where a quick answer is
critical).
Automatic computing of frequencies (TX mode):
– Enter your frequency channel, the deviation and then click on COMPUTE. The
software will calculate and display the two closest frequencies (F0 for logical
“0” and F1 for logical “1”) that the AT86RF211 is able to synthesize. “eps [Hz]”
gives you the errors between expected and actual synthesized frequencies.

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– Each frequency is coded with 32 bits. (Fch - Dev) corresponds to logical “0”
and (Fch + Dev) corresponds to “1”. These 2 x 32-bit will be written by the
software in the relevant registers.
Warning: There is NO simple relationship between F (in MHz) and these 2 x 32-bit,
please always use this procedure to find out the bits that must be written in registers (do
NOT try to modify the bits directly!).
– The maximum frequency deviation authorized in the PRE-SETUP window
must not be exceeded. The IF value (as defined in the PRE-SETUP menu) is
naturally taken into account.
Automatic computing of frequencies (RX mode):
– Enter your frequency and choose the band corresponding to your receiver,
then click on COMPUTE. The software will calculate and display the two
frequencies F2 and F3 (corresponding to the Upper Side or Lower Side Band)
the AT86RF211 is able to synthesize. “eps [Hz]” gives you the difference
between desired and synthesized frequencies.