CEL ZAXM-201 Series User manual

4590 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054 TEL. [phone] FAX. [phone] www.cel.com

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Table of Contents
Preface ................................................................................................................................. 4
Purpose ................................................................................................................................ 4
Audience ........................................................................................................................ 4
Getting Help ................................................................................................................... 4
Documentation Conventions ........................................................................................ 5
Chapter 1 - Introducing RF Evaluation Kit .................................................................. 6
About RF Evaluation Kit .................................................................................................... 6
Components .......................................................................................................................... 7
Setting up the Hardware ...................................................................................................... 7
Overview of Controls and Features .................................................................................... 8
Evaluation Test Menu ....................................................................................................... 10
Resetting the Board Stack .................................................................................................. 10
Chapter 2 - Transmit Test .............................................................................................. 11
Transmit Test Settings ........................................................................................................ 11
Running a Default Transmit Test ...................................................................................... 11
Channel ........................................................................................................................ 12
Power ............................................................................................................................. 12
Boost Mode ................................................................................................................... 12
External Power Amplifier ............................................................................................ 13
Send Mode ................................................................................................................... 13
Packet Length ............................................................................................................... 13
Packet Number ............................................................................................................ 14
Delay .............................................................................................................................. 14
Editing Transmit Test Settings .......................................................................................... 14
Determining the Module’s Maximum Power ................................................................... 16
Chapter 3 - Receive Test ................................................................................................. 17
Receive Test Settings ......................................................................................................... 17
Running the Default Receive Test ..................................................................................... 17
Channel .......................................................................................................................... 18
Boost Mode ................................................................................................................... 18
Sample Window .......................................................................................................... 18
Percentage Error Alert ................................................................................................. 18
RSSI Alert ..................................................................................................................... 19
Editing Receive Test Settings ............................................................................................ 19

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Chapter 4 - Sleep Mode Test ........................................................................................... 21
Chapter 5 - Energy Scan Test ......................................................................................... 23
Chapter 6 - Potentiometer Test ..................................................................................... 24
Chapter 7 - ZigBee Wars Game ..................................................................................... 25
Chapter 8 - Interface Board Settings ........................................................................... 26
Power-Save Setting ............................................................................................................ 26
Self-test .............................................................................................................................. 27
Reset ........................................................................................................................... 27
Appendix 1 - Apex Module Features & Specifications .............................................. 28
Features ............................................................................................................................ 28
Specifications ..................................................................................................................... 28
Pin Assignments ................................................................................................................ 29
Module Interface Pins ....................................................................................................... 31
Appendix 2 - Interface Board Specifications ............................................................... 32
Jumper Settings .................................................................................................................. 32
Document N: 0002-00-08-00-000
Date Published: December 5, 2007

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Preface
Purpose
This document describes how to use your Apex Evaluation Kit to set up and run
functionality tests like broadcast range, current consumption, power levels, and more.
The procedures in the later chapters often depend on an understanding of the material
presented in earlier chapters, so we recommend you review this from beginning to end
before putting it to use.
Audience
This document is intended for use by the engineers responsible for evaluating CEL’s
Apex Series modules as a transmission solution in their IEEE 802.15.4 networks.
This document assumes the reader has a solid understanding of embedded systems
design. Experience in networking and RF systems is expected.
Getting Help
You can use the CEL website to obtain information about all CEL products and services,
and to sign up for product support.
If you have any questions about your Evaluation Kit, contact CEL at one of the following
locations:
United States CEL Headquarters
4590 Patrick Henry Drive
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
techsupport.[email protected]
www.cel.com
Asia/Pacific CEL Singapore
Tel: + (65) 6-560-3255
Fax: + (65) 6-560-4155

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Documentation Conventions
Notation
Meaning
Examples
Italics
A GUI label
Transmit Test
BOLD
ITALIC
CAPS
A keyboard
command
ENTER
|
Delimits a hierarchy
of menu options,
which ends with the
option to choose.
Open | Save
Arial
Font
Identifies file names
and program
identifiers, such as
constants and
function names.
EMBER_SLEEPY_END_DEVICE
serial.h
emberStartScan ()

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1Introducing the Apex Evaluation Kit
The key components of the Apex Evaluation Kit are the interface board CEL’s Apex
radio module. Apex modules combine an Ember™ EM250 transceiver IC with an NEC
UPG2250T5N high gain Power Amplifier and UPG2214TK high performance RFIC
switch.
The interface board features a serial communication interface, a power management
module, peripherals like a potentiometer and accelerometer, and GPIO headers.
(See Figure 1-2)
The Evaluation Kit also contains four AA batteries and two USB cables.
Figure 1-1 Evaluation Interface Board and RF Module

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The Apex Evaluation Kit allows you to:
• Validate CEL's Wireless Solution
• Quickly deploy a two node network for range evaluation
Each module comes preconfigured with embedded RF evaluation software that controls
the various tests. It contains pre-configured modes for developing packet error rate
testing, peripheral configuration, general IEEE 802.15.4-2003 tests, and more.
The evaluation software includes peripheral drivers that allow control and display
through the interface board's buttons and LCD display.
Components
Apex Evaluation Kits include the following hardware components:
• 2 – interface boards
• 2 – Apex Modules (ZAXM-201-1)
• 4 – AA batteries, two for each carrier board
• 2 – USB cables
• 1 – CD: Collateral and technical documents
Setting up the Hardware
1. Connect each interface board to one of the following power sources:
•Batteries: Use the two supplied AA batteries for mobile evaluation
activities like broadcast range testing.
•DC Power Supply (optional): Can be used with a DC power supply.
2. Set the Power Switch:
• To VBAT when batteries are used
• To VREG for AC power

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Overview of Controls and Features
OK Button
UP Button
RESET
Button
Potentiometer
Power On LED
APEX
Module
DOWN Button
POWER
Switch
LCD Display
USB
Port
AC/DC
POWER
EXIT Button
Ground
JMP1 Jumper
JMP2 Jumper
JMP3 Jumper

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Figure 1-2 RF Evaluation Board Components
See Bill of Materials for component details
Power is connected at the back of the interface board and can come from either batteries
or an AC/DC power supply. The Power Management block on the interface board
controls power distribution to the Apex module and peripheral components.
An onboard LCD screen displays the test names and settings, and displays basic test
results when tests are running. Control buttons include:
•UP for changing to the previous test or test setting
•DOWN for changing to the next test or test setting
•OK for selecting a test or test setting, or for starting a test
•EXIT for returning to a previous menu or setting, or for stopping a test
•RESET for restarting the module and initializing the LCD display
The small arrows on the LCD indicate which buttons are active. For example:
The up-arrow indicates the UP button is available to go to the previous
item in the current list (test or setting).
The right-arrow indicates the OK button is available to go to
the next level to start a test, edit a value, or set a value.
The down-arrow indicates the DOWN button is available to go to
the next item in the current list (test or setting).
The left-arrow indicates the EXIT button is available to return to
the previous level, cancel an edit, or stop a test.
The up and down arrows together indicate both the UP and DOWN
buttons are available.
The module’s built-in analog-to-digital converter (ADC) can be tested using the interface
board’s potentiometer or accelerometer.
Jumpers along the left side of the board provide access to the board’s various features. A
complete jumper list is provided in Jumper Settings in Appendix 2 on page 32.

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Evaluation Test Menu
Once the board’s stack powers up, a menu is activated. Press the UP and DOWN buttons
to cycle through the menu’s items. They’re described on the following pages:
• Transmit Test — page 11
• Receive Test — page 17
• Sleep Mode Test — page 21
• Energy Scan Test — page 23
•Potentiometer Test — page 24
• ZigBee Wars Game — page 25
• Interface Board Settings — page 26
User Tip:
To return to the top menu from lower menus entries, press the
EXIT button until the top menu items are displayed.
Resetting the Board Stack
Press the RESET button to reboot the module. This will also restart the LCD screen at
the beginning of the menu, and revert test settings to their defaults.
Caution:
Test settings are NOT saved when the power is turned off.
When the module is powered up, all test settings return to their defaults.

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2Transmit Test
In a Transmit Test, radio transmissions are sent from the module. A Transmit Test
running on one module can be combined with a Receive Test running on a second module
to test Range. The tests can be performed with or without additional test equipment as
needed.
The tasks described in this chapter include:
•Running a Default Transmit Test — page 11
•Editing Transmit Test Settings — page 14
•Determining a module’s Maximum Power — page 16
Transmit Test Settings
•Channel — page 12
•Power — page 12
•Boost Mode — page 12
•Send Mode — page 13
•Packet Length — page 13
•Packet Number — page 14
•Delay — page 14
Running a Default Transmit Test
The default Transmit Test automatically sends 100 packets and then stops.
1. From the top menu, press UP or DOWN until Transmit Test
appears on the LCD.
2. Press OK to display Start Transmit.
3. Press OK again to start the default Transmit Test.
4. The LCD displays the number of packets being sent.
See Transmit Test Settings on page 11 for the default test settings.
5. To start a Receive Test, see page 17.
6. To stop the Transmit Test press EXIT.

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Channel
The Channel Setting identifies the radio channel in use.
16 numbered channels (11-26) are defined by the IEEE 802.15.4-2003 standard in the
2.4GHz ISM band. Channels are spaced 5MHz apart. The default is channel 20.1
User Tip:
Channels 15, 20, 25, and 26 for IEEE 802.15.4-2003 networks are usually
available. They’re good choices because they don’t interfere with the 802.11
network channels typically in use.
Note 1. The center frequency of these channels is defined as Fc = 2405 + 5 (k – 11) in megahertz,
where k= the channel number; 11, 12, etc, through 26.
Power
Power is the transmit power in dBm that the module will transmit. The value
MAX: 20 dBm represents the typical maximum power output of the module.
The default value is MAX: 20 dBm with the power amplifier enabled (see page 13).
With the power amplifier disabled, the value is MAX: 3dBm.
The transceiver offers a programmable output range. So with the PA enabled, the power
out ranges from 20 dBm to -12 dBm. With the PA disabled, the power output ranges
from +3 dBm to -32 dBm.
It’s a good idea to determine the actual maximum power output of the module you are
using by first running a TONE transmit test using the default maximum setting. This is
described in Determining a Module’s Maximum Power on page 16. (See also Send Mode,
described on page 14.)
After you’ve determined the real maximum power of the module, you can then run tests
using lower values. For example, MAX: –01dB represents your module’s maximum
power less approximately 1 dBm.
Boost Mode
If Boost Mode is set to ON, power is boosted to the transmitter by about 2 dBm. The
default setting is OFF.

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It is not recommended that you set Boost Mode ON when enabling the external power
amplifier (see External Power Amplifier below) because it does not allow for the same
increase in dynamic range. Overdriving the input of the power amplifier can cause signal
distortion and reduce the advantages of using the power amplifier.
Boost mode transmit power values are available on CEL’s Apex data sheet:
http://www.cel.com/pdf/datasheets/ZAXM-200Series.pdf
External Power Amplifier
An external power amplifier is provided with the module for better transmissions.
Selecting Extern. PA enables the external power amplifier. The default setting is OFF.
For more about external power amplification, see the CEL Apex data sheet:
http://www.cel.com/pdf/datasheets/ZAXM-200Series.pdf
Send Mode
Send Mode indicates what type of signal data is to be sent. The choices include:
•PACKT: The default, PACKT transmits a sequence of packets.
See Packet Length and Packet Number below for details.
•TONE: Transmits an unmodulated tone.
TONE can be used for measuring the module’s
maximum power output for compliance testing.
•CHARS: Transmits a continual stream of modulated random characters.
Packet Length
Packet length (Packet len) is the number of characters in a packet. This can range from 5
to 125 characters. The default is 20.

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Packet Number
Packet number (Packet #) is the number of packets transmitted in the PACKT send mode.
The default is 100 packets. Select INFTY (infinity) to continue to send packets until your
test is completed. You can select the packet number from the following ranges:
• 1 – 9 packets
•10 – 50 in increments of 5
•50 – 200 in increments of 10
•200 – 1000 in increments of 50
•1000 - 5000 in increments of 100
•5000 -10000 in increments of 500
•10000 to 20000 in increments of 1000
•20000 to 60000 in increments of 5000
Delay
You can select he delay in milliseconds (Delay ms) between each packet sent. The default
is 60 milliseconds. Choose from the following ranges:
• 20 - 30 milliseconds
•30 – 100 in increments of 5
•100 – 1000 in increments of 50
•1000 -10000 in increments of 500
Editing Transmit Test Settings
This section explains how to modify the settings for a Transmit Test. For details about all
the settings, see Transmit Test Settings on page 11.
1. From the top menu, press UP or DOWN until Transmit Test
appears on the LCD.
2. Press OK to display Start Transmit.

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3. Press DOWN arrow to display the first setting - Channel.
Channel 20
BACK EDIT
4. You can edit the settings by selecting from a list of values.
For example, to edit the Channel setting, press OK.
Channel 20
UNDO SET
•To view the choices for the setting, press UP or DOWN.
•To return to the previous screen without changing the setting, press EXIT.
•To set the value, press OK. The display returns to the previous screen
with the new value set.
5. Press UP or DOWN to view the various settings.
For example, the Send mode is shown here, PACKT is the default:
Send mode PACKT
BACK ALTER
6. You alter some settings by cycling through the possibilities. For example:
• To alter the Send mode, press OK.
Send mode TONE
BACK ALTER
•To alter the Send mode again, press OK again.
Send mode CHARS
BACK ALTER
7. When you are finished with the settings, press EXIT to return
to the beginning of the Transmit Test.
Transmit Test
8. Press OK until the test starts and results are displayed.
9. To stop the Transmit Test, press EXIT.

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How to Determine the Module’s Maximum Power
1. Scroll through the top menu to until Transmit Test is displayed.
Transmit Test
2. Press OK to display Start Transmit.
Start Transmit
BACK START
3. Press DOWN until the Power setting is displayed.
Leave the default setting: MAX: 3dB.
Power MAX: 3dB
BACK EDIT
4. Continue to press DOWN until Send Mode is displayed.
Send Mode PACKT
BACK ALTER
5. Press ALTER the change the Send Mode to TONE. Press OK.
Send mode TONE
BACK ALTER
6. Press EXIT to return to the beginning of the Transmit Test.
Transmit test
7. Press OK to start the test.
Sending tone
8.To bypass the antenna, unscrew it and connect a power meter or spectrum
analyzer using a reverse polar SMA adapter (not included with the kit.)
9. Add the power output value measured to the fixed loss values of the
cables and connectors between the module and the meter to get the
true maximum power transmission value.
10. To end the test press EXIT. EXIT

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3 Receive Test
A Receive Test is used to set up and test the module for receiving IEEE 802.15.4-2003
packetized data. By running a Transmit Test on one of the modules and a Receive Test on
the other, you can perform a Range Test. The tasks described in this chapter include:
•Running a Default Receive Test — page 17
•Editing Receive Test Settings — page 19
Receive Test Settings
•Channel — page 18
•Boost mode — page 18
•Sample window — page 18
•Percentage error alert — page 18
•RSSI alert — page 19
Running a Default Receive Test
1. From the top menu, press UP or DOWN until the Receive test displays.
2. Press OK to display Start Receive.
3. Press OK again to start the test. The LCD displays:
• Rx indicates that the Receive test is running.
• P# displays the number of packets being received.
• ER displays the percentage of errors.
• RS displays the Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) values.
4. To stop the test press EXIT.

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Channel
Channel is the radio channel setting of the receiver module. To receive, it must match the
channel setting of the transmitter module. The choice of channel settings ranges from 11
to 26. The default is 20.
Channels are identified by number as defined by the IEEE 802.15.4-2003 standard.
Boost Mode
If Boost Mode is set to ON, sensitivity of the receiver is boosted by about 2 dBm.
The default setting is OFF.
Boost Mode sensitivity values for the module can be found in the Ember™ data sheet
titled EM250 Single-Chip ZigBee/802.15.4 Solution. It can be found here:
http://www.ember.com/pdf/120-0082-000_EM250_Datasheet.pdf
Sample Window
The Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) results displayed during a test are
calculated as an average of the individual packets within a sliding Sample Window
(Samp. win). You can specify the number of packets in the sample window from either 1
to 100 or infinity (INFTY). 100 is the typical choice.
The default is INFTY. If INFTY is selected, the average RSSI for all samples is
calculated.
Percentage Error Alert
A PER alert value represents an error rate percentage. If the error rate goes above this
value, an alert sounds on the board’s audio buzzer. The default is OFF.
The percentage values range from 1 to 99, or OFF which means no alert will sound.
A value of 1% is typical as specified in the 802.15.4 specification.

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RSSI alert
If the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) is below the RSSI alert value, an alert
will sound on the buzzer. The default is OFF.
Values range from 10 down to -105, or OFF, which means no alert will sound. A typical
value might be the receiver’s sensitivity as defined in the chip’s specification.
Editing Receive Test Settings
1. From the top menu, press UP or DOWN until Receive Test is displayed.
Receive Test
2. Press OK to display Start Receive.
Start Receive
BACK START
3. Press DOWN to display the first setting, Channel.
Channel 20
BACK EDIT
4. Press UP or DOWN to view the various Receive test settings.
Details are described in “Receive Test Settings” on page 19.

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5. Some settings may be edited. For example, to edit the PER alert setting,
press OK.
PER alert OFF
UNDO SET
The PER alert setting is an error percentage threshold.
If the error rate goes above this value, an alert sounds.
•To view the choices for the setting, press UP or DOWN.
•To return to the previous screen without changing the setting, press EXIT.
•To set the value, press OK. For example, select a value of 1 to represent
the error percentage threshold of 1%. The display returns to the previous
screen with the new value set.
PER alert OFF
BACK EDIT
6. You can change settings by cycling through the selections. For example:
• To change the Boost Mode setting, press OK.
BOOST mode ON
BACK ALTER
•To alter the setting again, press OK again.
BOOST mode OFF
BACK ALTER
7. When you are finished with all settings press EXIT to return to
the start of the Receive test.
Receive Test
8. Press OK to start the test.
9. To stop the test, press EXIT.