Digi Connect ME Quick user guide

Digi Connect® ME and Wi-ME
Digi Connect® ME
Digi Connect® Wi-ME with NS7520 microprocessor
Digi Connect® ME 9210
Digi Connect® Wi-ME 9210 with NS9210 microprocessor
Hardware Reference Manual

Revision history—90000897
Revision Date Description
H February, 2010 Corrected pin numbering on the JTAG Debugger Connector Pin
Orientation image and added asection describing the JTAG Jumper
and new accompanying image.
J September,
2010
Updated the recommended PCB layout image. Corrected the VIL Max
value within the Inputs table of the DC Characteristics section in
Appendix A and improved the quality of images in the appendices.
Added Digi Connect ME 9210 Declaration of Conformity information to
Appendix B.
K August, 2011 Added signal description information and completed image updates
to Digi Connect ME and Wi-ME PCB layout, Power and Device Interface
Connector and Embedded Module Connector Pin Orientation.
Updated tables for the Power and Device Interface Connector Pin
Assignment, Development Board LED Description, and Module Pinout
key. Added Connect Wi-ME and Wi-ME 9210 hard reset information.
L April, 2014 Updated Module Specifications and drawings and added links to
additional drawings on Digi Connect ME and Wi-ME product pages.
M June, 2017 Updated branding and made editorial enhancements. Modified
regulatory and certification information as required by RED (Radio
Equipment Directive).
Trademarks and copyright
Digi, Digi International, and the Digi logo are trademarks or registered trademarks in the United
States and other countries worldwide. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the
property of their respective owners.
© 2017 Digi International Inc. All rights reserved.
Disclaimers
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Digi International. Digi provides this document “as is,” without warranty of
any kind, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of fitness or
merchantability for a particular purpose. Digi may make improvements and/or changes in this manual
or in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this manual at any time.
Warranty
To view product warranty information, go to the following website:
www.digi.com/howtobuy/terms
Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 2

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Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 3

Contents
About this document
Scope of the reference manual 7
Related documentation 7
About the Digi Connect ME family of embedded modules
Digi Connect ME and Wi-ME embedded modules 9
Types of modules 9
Connectors: power and device interface 11
Difference in pin assignments/availability 11
Power and device interface connector 11
Connectors: module JTAG interface 13
JTAG interface connectors 13
Connectors: Ethernet interface 15
Ethernet interface pin orientation 15
JTAG jumper 15
Hard reset 16
Connectors: antenna 16
Module LEDs 16
About the development board
Basic description 19
Board layout and connector locations 20
Placement of module 22
Port descriptions 22
Primary serial port, P1 22
Secondary serial port, P2 23
RS232-enable pin header, P5 24
GPIO port, P7 24
Connectors and blocks 24
Embedded module connector, P10 24
Module JTAG interface connector, P11 26
JTAG debugger connector, P12 27
Logic analyzer header, P3 28
Switches and push buttons 29
GPIO switch bank 1, SW3 29
User push button 1, SW1 29
User push button 2, SW2 29
Reset, SW4 29
Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 4

Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 5
Power on/off switch, SW5 30
Development board LEDs 30
Power jack P15 31
Power jack polarity, schematic 31
Test points 31
Programming considerations
Module pinout 34
Module JTAG interface pinout 37
LEDs 37
Hard reset 38
Memory 38
Flash 38
SDRAM 38
Module specifications
Network interface 40
Serial interface 40
Data rates (bps) 41
Flow control options 41
DC characteristics 41
Power management (Digi Connect ME 9210 only) 43
Thermal specifications 43
Additional design recommendations 44
Mechanical specifications 45
Bar code 45
Dimensions 46
Digi Connect ME module 49
Digi Connect Wi-ME 9210 module 51
Digi Connect ME 9210 Module - without JTAG interface 53
Digi Connect ME 9210 module - with JTAG interface 55
Recommended PCB layout 56
Digi Connect ME PCB top dimensions 57
Digi Connect ME: PCB top dimensions with JTAG interface 58
Digi Connect Wi-ME 9210 59
Digi Connect ME 9210 - PCB top dimensions without JTAG interface 60
Digi Connect ME 9210 - PCB top dimensions with JTAG interface 61
Antenna information 62
Antenna strength 62
Antenna specifications 62
RF exposure statement 65
Safety statements 65
Regulatory information
FCC Part 15 Class B 66
Labeling requirements (FCC 15.19) 66
Modifications (FCC 15.21) 66
Industry Canada 67
Europe 67
Declaration of Conformity (DoC) 68

Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 6
Maximum power and frequency specifications 68
Antenna configurations 69
Sample application: PoE Power Supply
2/8 Digi Connect ME 72
4/8 Digi Connect ME modules and Digi Connect ME 9210 modules 73
Sample application TTL signals to EIA-232

About this document
Scope of the reference manual
The purpose of this document is to enable developers to integrate the Digi Connect ME, Digi Connect
ME 9210, or Digi Connect Wi-ME embedded modules with other devices, enabling these devices to
make use of the module’s rich networking features.
Unless mentioned specifically by name, the products will be referred to as the embeddedmodules or
modules. Individual naming is used to differentiate product specific features.
Unless noted otherwise, all Digi Connect ME related technical information provided in this
document also applies to the Digi Connect ME 9210 module.
Related documentation
See the NS7520 Hardware Reference for information on the NS7520 microprocessor.
See the NS9210 Hardware Reference for information on the NS9210 microprocessor.
Digi part number 90001247, Hardware Reference for Digi Connect Wi-ME® 9210 and Digi Connect ME®
9210, focuses solely on the Digi Connect ME and Wi-ME products that have the NS9210 microprocessor.
Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 7

About the Digi Connect ME family of embedded
modules
This chapter provides information about the modules hardware and contains the following topics:
An overview of the Digi Connect ME family of embedded modules.
Digi Connect ME and Wi-ME embedded modules 9
Types of modules 9
Connectors: power and device interface 11
Connectors: module JTAG interface 13
Connectors: Ethernet interface 15
Connectors: antenna 16
Module LEDs 16
Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 8

About the Digi Connect ME family of embedded modules Digi Connect ME and Wi-ME embedded modules
Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 9
Digi Connect ME and Wi-ME embedded modules
Embedded modules provide fully transparent device connectivity over industry-standard Ethernet
connections and allow both equipment manufacturers and systems integrators to network-enable
products at a fraction of the time and cost required to develop a custom solution. They provide a
highly flexible and compact single component solution with a serial port, GPIO, and a robust on-board
TCP/IP stack and 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet support or wireless interface. From medical systems to
building control and industrial automation, in virtually any application where embedded device
connectivity over Ethernet or wireless connectivity is needed, embedded modules are the ideal choice,
delivering high-performance functionality.
Built on Digi's leading 32-bit NET+ARM processor technology, the Digi Connect ME family of embedded
modules offer serial-to-Ethernet functionality through Digi’s Plug-and-Play Firmware firmware, or the
freedom and flexibility of professional embedded software development provided by the easy-to-use,
cost-effective and complete Digi JumpStart Kits™ for NET+OS and Microsoft.NET Micro Framework.
Digi Connect ME and Digi Connect Wi-ME modules use the powerful Digi NS7520 processor with an
ARM7TDMI core running at 55 MHz. They provide integrated wired or wireless networking and serial
device connectivity in a compact connector-style form factor. The Digi Connect ME 9210 module is the
latest, fully form factor and pin compatible, members of the Digi Connect ME family providing 75 MHz
ARM9 core performance based on the Digi NS9210 processor. In addition to higher performance with
integrated Ethernet connectivity, the Digi Connect ME 9210 offers higher serial data rates, SPI
functionality, and the unique option of application-specific interfaces using the programmable FIMs on
the NS9210.
Note Unless mentioned specifically by name, products are referred to as the embedded modules or
modules. Individual naming is used to differentiate product specific features. Similarly, information
about the Digi Connect ME applies to the Digi Connect ME 9210.
Types of modules
There are two types of modules. One module utilizes Digi Plug-and-Play Firmware, while the second is
customizable with the option to develop a firmware application in.NET MF or NET+OS. If you are
developing your firmware application in NET+OS, you will be using a module with a JTAG interface.
Note JTAG is a commonly used term that is also referred to as IEEE 1149.1, an industry standard test
protocol. JTAG is an abbreviation for the European Joint Test Action Group, which invented the first
versions of the IEEE 1149.1 interface. The JTAG interface, along with the other development tools,
enables you to download, run and debug programs on the module.
The following figures show the two types of modules.

About the Digi Connect ME family of embedded modules Types of modules
Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 10
Digi Connect ME Modules
Model Description Figure
Digi Connect ME
DC-ME-01T-JT
DC-ME4-01T-JT
Digi Connect ME
9210
DC-ME-Y401-JT
DC-ME-Y402-JT
DC-ME-Y402-LX-
JT
nUsed for development purposes
only
nJTAG interface
Digi Connect ME
DC-ME-01T-S
DC-ME4-01T-S
DC-ME-01T-C
DC-ME4-01T-C
DC-ME-01T-CLI
DC-ME4-01T-CLI
DC-ME-01T-MF
DC-ME-01T-PC
DC-ME-01T-PS
Digi
Digi Connect ME
9210
DC-ME-Y401-C
DC-ME-Y402-C
DC-ME-Y402-LX
nNo JTAG interface
nOrdered independently for use in
your implementation
Notes:
nDC-ME-01T-CLI (2/8 CLI version - has the CLI enabled by default on the serial port)
nDC-ME4-01T-CLI (4/8 CLI version - has the CLI enabled by default on the serial port)
nDC-ME-01T-PC (2/8 802.3af compliant -C module)
nDC-ME-01T-PS (2/8 802.3af compliant -S module)
nDC-ME-Y402-LX (Digi Connect ME 9210 4/8 Linux - production)
nDC-ME-Y402-LX-JT (Digi Connect ME 9210 4/8 Linux JTAG - dev only)

About the Digi Connect ME family of embedded modules Connectors: power and device interface
Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 11
Digi Connect Wi-ME Modules
Model Description Figure
Digi Connect Wi-
ME
DC-WME-01T-JT
nUsed for development purposes only
nJTAG interface
Digi Connect Wi-
ME
DC-WME-01T-S
DC-WME-01T-C
nNo JTAG interface
nOrdered independently for use in your
implementation.
Notes:
nS: No JTAG for use with Digi Plug-and-Play Firmware
nC: No JTAG for use with custom NET+OS applications
nJT: With JTAG for use with custom firmware development
nMF: No JTAG for use with Microsoft.NET Micro Framework
Connectors: power and device interface
The module has a 20-pin male connector that supports a serial interface with data rates up to 230,400
(Digi Connect ME and Digi Connect Wi-ME)/ 921,600 bps (Digi Connect ME 9210) and full-modem
control, and GPIO ports. See the following figure for pin orientation and the table for pin assignments.
Difference in pin assignments/availability
Pin assignments/availability for pins 1 and 2 depend on which module you are using. Pins 1 through 6
are available for Digi Connect ME; these pins are removed for Digi Connect Wi-ME. The pin assignment
table shows the appropriate values.
Power and device interface connector
Viewed from bottom of the module:

About the Digi Connect ME family of embedded modules Connectors: power and device interface
Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 12
Power and Device Interface Connector Pin Assignments
Signal
Description
ME Wi-ME
Pin
# Function
Pin
# Function
1 ME: Power Pass-Thru+
Wi-ME: Position Removed
2 VETH- ME: Power Pass-Thru-
Wi-ME: Position removed
3-6 Position removed
7 RXD 1 RXD Receive Data (Input)
8 TXD 2 TXD Transmit Data (Output)
9 RTS 3 RTS Request to Send (Output)
10 DTR 4 DTR Data Terminal Ready (Output)

About the Digi Connect ME family of embedded modules Connectors: module JTAG interface
Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 13
Power and Device Interface Connector Pin Assignments
Signal
Description
ME Wi-ME
Pin
# Function
Pin
# Function
11 CTS 5 CTS Clear to Send (Input)
12 DSR 6 DSR Data Set Ready (Input)
13 DCD 7 DCD Data Carrier Detect (Input)
14 /RESET 8 /RESET Reset
15 +3.3V 9 +3.3V Power
16 GND 10 GND Ground
17,
18
11,
12
Not accessible with Digi Plug-and-Play Firmware. If using a
development kit, see Module pinout for detailed IO
configuration information.
19 13 Reserved. Do not connect.
20 /INIT 14 /INIT Software Reset
Notes:
nThe development board provides connectors for an optional PoE application kit.
nAny pins not used can be left floating.
nSee Module pinout for detailed IO configuration information.
Connectors: module JTAG interface
The Module’s JTAG Interface Connector is a 14-pin female vertical header that is labeled P11 on the
development board. The connector mates with the JTAG connector on the embedded module. The
Module’s JTAG Connector pins are tied to the debugger connector (see JTAG debugger connector,
P12).
JTAG interface connectors
Since the modules' JTAG connectors are mounted on the bottom side of the modules, the pin 1
location is mirrored from that of the Development board's mating JTAG connector (P11). The resulting
pin mapping is indicated in the Module JTAG Interface Connector Pin Assignments table below.

About the Digi Connect ME family of embedded modules Connectors: module JTAG interface
Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 14
Module JTAG Interface Connector
Pin Assignments
JTAG Signal ME JTAG pin #
JTAG Connector (P11) pin
#
+3.3V 1 2
GND 2 1
TRST# 3 4
GND 4 3
TDI 5 6
GND 6 5
TMS 7 8
GND 8 7
TCK 9 10
RXD 10 9
TDO 11 12
SRST 12 11
+3.3V 13 14
TXD 14 13

About the Digi Connect ME family of embedded modules Connectors: Ethernet interface
Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 15
Connectors: Ethernet interface
The Ethernet connector is an 8-wire RJ-45 jack that meets the ISO 8877 requirements for
10/100BASE-T. See the following figure and table for pin orientation and pin assignments.
Note Pin orientation and assignments are the same for modules with or without a JTAG connector.
Ethernet interface pin orientation
Ethernet Interface Pin Assignments
Pin 1 Pin 2 Pin 3 Pin 4 Pin 5 Pin 6 Pin 7 Pin 8
TXD+ TXD- RXD+ EPWR+ EPWR+ RXD- EPWR- EPWR-
Transmit
Data +
Transmit
Data -
Receive
Data +
Power from
Switch +
Power from
Switch +
Receive
Data -
Power from
Switch -
Power from
Switch -
JTAG jumper
The J1 controls the way in which the Digi Connect ME 9210 JTAG device responds to pin 14 being
pulled low.
Jumper Result
None No reset
1-2 Hard reset
2-3 Soft reset

About the Digi Connect ME family of embedded modules Connectors: antenna
Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 16
Hard reset
The embedded modules support a hardware reset on pin 14 of the 20-pin header. Pulling pin 14 low
with an open drain driver will force the module into a hard reset state. The module will remain in the
reset state as long and pin 14 is held low and will leave this reset state ~250mS after pin 14 goes high.
Do not actively drive pin 14 high and do not allow the rise time of the pin 14 to be longer than 100uS.
When used with the development board, this pin is wired to reset button SW4, which means it acts as
a hard reset button.
Connectors: antenna
The Digi Connect Wi-ME is available with 1 RP-SMA connector. The antenna is connected to the module
with a reverse polarity SMA connector (sub-miniature size A). The antenna only fits on the module one
way to ensure a proper connection. Another option for both signal reception and design flexibility is to
use an antenna extension cord to separate the antenna from the module. This allows the module to fit
inside your product but the antenna to be placed outside the device.
CAUTION! This Part 15 radio device operates on a non-interference basis with other
devices operating at this frequency when using the antennae listed in the Antenna
Specification table. Any changes or modification to the product not expressly approved
by Digi International could void the user’s authority to operate the device.
Antenna Specifications
Type Desktop Dipole 30 cm
Antenna Extension Cord
Part number DC-ANT-24DT DG-ANT-20DP-BG DG-EXT-300-RR
Gain 1.8 dBi -.5dB
Module LEDs
The module has two LEDs that are located near the upper corners of the Ethernet port (see the
following figure). The following table describes the LEDs.
The LEDs are the same for a module with or without a JTAG connector.

About the Digi Connect ME family of embedded modules Module LEDs
Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 17
LED locations
LED Behaviors
LED Digi Plug and Play
Firmware
Digi Connect ME
Digi Plug and Play Firmware
Digi Connect Wi-ME
Customizable Modules
Top left
(yellow)
Network link
status:
Off - no link has
been detected.
On - a link has been
detected.
Network link status:
nOn - unit is associated
with an access point.
nBlinking slowly - unit is in
ad hoc mode.
nBlinking quickly - unit is
scanning for a network.
Same as Digi Plug-and Play
Firmware (Network link
status).
Top right
(green)
Network activity:
Blinking -network data is transmitted or received.
This LED is software
programmable.

About the development board
The development board is a hardware platform from which you can determine how to integrate the
embedded modules into your design. The board consists of the following main features:
nSocket for connecting the embedded modules
nJTAG connection (for use with the development kit only)
nGPIO switches
nSerial and GPIO ports
nPower input
This chapter provides information on development board components and contains the topics listed
below. For more detailed information on the development board, see the schematic and mechanical
drawings on the CD that accompanies your kit. Once you've installed the software that comes with
your kit, you can access the schematic from the Start menu.
Basic description 19
Port descriptions 22
Connectors and blocks 24
Switches and push buttons 29
Development board LEDs 30
Power jack P15 31
Test points 31
Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 18

About the development board Basic description
Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 19
Basic description
The development board contains connectors, switches, and LEDs for use while integrating the
embedded module into your design. See the following figure for the location of the connectors,
switches, and LEDs. Additionally, the board provides test points (not shown on the figure). For more
information about test points, see Test points.

About the development board Basic description
Digi Connect ME, Wi-ME, ME 9210, Wi-ME 9210 Hardware Reference Manual 20
Board layout and connector locations