Nordic nRFgo nRF6700 User manual

Copyright © 2012 Nordic Semiconductor ASA. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the prior written permission of the copyright holder.
nRFgo Starter Kit
nRF6700
User Guide v1.7

Page 2 of 25
nRFgo Starter Kit User Guide v1.7
Contents
1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Minimum requirements................................................................................................................................. 3
1.2 Writing Conventions ....................................................................................................................................... 3
1.3 Development kit release notes.................................................................................................................... 3
1.4 Kit content........................................................................................................................................................... 4
2 nRFgo Motherboard (nRF6310) ............................................................................................................. 5
2.1 nRF module connectors................................................................................................................................. 6
2.2 Power supply ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
2.2.1 Regulated supplies.................................................................................................................................... 9
2.2.2 Status LEDs................................................................................................................................................... 9
2.3 Status display...................................................................................................................................................10
2.4 nRF reset button .............................................................................................................................................10
2.5 Ground connection........................................................................................................................................10
2.6 I/O port headers..............................................................................................................................................10
2.7 Buttons...............................................................................................................................................................11
2.8 LEDs.....................................................................................................................................................................12
2.9 RS232 serial port interface ..........................................................................................................................13
2.10 ISP interface......................................................................................................................................................14
2.11 nRF debug interface ......................................................................................................................................15
2.12 Extension board connectors ......................................................................................................................17
2.13 Block schematic ..............................................................................................................................................19
3 Display module (nRF6350)................................................................................................................... 20
3.1 Display description ........................................................................................................................................21
3.2 Joystick description .......................................................................................................................................21
4 Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................................................... 22

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nRFgo Starter Kit User Guide v1.7
1 Introduction
The nRFgo Starter Kit is the core of the nRFgo evaluation and development platform for our ultra low power
radios. Used with our nRFgo Development Kits (sold separately), it is the ideal platform for each stage of the
development process.
nRFgo Development Kit modules that are included in our nRFgo Development Kits are designed to fit onto
the nRFgo Motherboard in the nRFgo Starter Kit.
1.1 Minimum requirements
Listed are minimum hardware and software requirements for using the nRFgo Starter Kit:
• Computer with 2 USB ports
•WindowsXP,Windows7
• nRFgo Studio (a software program available from www.nordicsemi.com)
1.2 Writing conventions
This User Guide follows a set of typographic rules that makes the document consistent and easy to read.
The following writing conventions are used:
• Commands are written in Lucida Console.
• Pin names are written in Consolas.
• File names and User Interface components are written in bold.
• Internal cross references are italicized and written in semi-bold.
1.3 Development kit release notes
Date Version Description
October 2012 2.0 Module update
nRF6350:
• The display module (nRF6350) has been updated to support the nRF51
series development kits. Changes to the user guide are mainly found in
chapter 3.

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nRFgo Starter Kit User Guide v1.7
1.4 Kit content
Software and documentation can be downloaded from www.nordicsemi.com.
Figure 1 nRFgo Starter Kit content
2 x nRFgo Motherboards
(nRF6310)
2 x USB cables
8 x Two-lead patch cables
4 x 10 pin 2.54 mm flat cables
Information on nRF module
socket connector compatibility

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nRFgo Starter Kit User Guide v1.7
2 nRFgo Motherboard (nRF6310)
Figure 2 nRFgo Motherboard (nRF6310)
Note: On the underside of the Motherboard is a battery holder that takes three AAA batteries.
External supply connector AC/DC (J3)
Power supply selector switch (S8)
ON/OFF switch (S9) PC USB connector (J1)
External ISP interface (P16)
RS232 serial port connector (J2)
RS232 serial port switch (S11)
Extension board connectors
(P5 and P6)
RS232 port header (P15)
LEDs port header (P2)
Ground connection point
nRF module input buttons
(Button 0 to Button 7)
nRF module controlled LEDs
(LED 0 to LED 7)
nRF module reset button (S10)
Buttons port header (P1)
HW debug interface (P12)
nRF module I/O port headers
(P8 through P11)
nRF module socket
(MOD A and MOD B)
Status display (DS1)
Current measurement header (P7)
Motherboard main supply LED (D9)
nRF module target supply LED (D8)

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nRFgo Starter Kit User Guide v1.7
2.1 nRF module connectors
To utilize the features of the Starter Kit, an nRFgo compatible Development Kit module (sold separately)
must be inserted into the nRF module socket, see Figure 3.
Figure 3 nRF module connectors
Note: Do not apply too much pressure on the antenna end of your Development Kit module when
inserting it into the Motherboard, as this may distort the pins in the Motherboard connectors.
When removing, pull the module straight up.

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nRFgo Starter Kit User Guide v1.7
The nRF module connectors, MOD A (P3) and MOD B (P4), have all the I/Os required for communicating with
nRFgo compatible modules.
Figure 4 nRF module connectors - MOD A and MOD B
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11 12
13 14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
38
40
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
31
33
35
37
39
Vcc VTG_nRF
Vcc VTG_nRF
GND GND
nRF P0.0 nRF P0.1
nRF P0.2 nRF P0.3
nRF P0.4 nRF P0.5
nRF P0.6 nRF P0.7
GND GND
MOSI MISO
CSN SCK
GND GND
SCL SDA
PROG nRF Reset
Spare1 Spare2
nRF P1.0 nRF P1.1
nRF P1.2 nRF P1.3
nRF P1.4 nRF P1.5
nRF P1.6
GND GND
GND GND
nRF P1.7
MOD B
MOD A
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11 12
13 14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
38
40
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
31
33
35
37
39
Vext VTG
Vext VTG
GND GND
nRF P3.0 nRF P3.1
nRF P3.2 nRF P3.3
nRF P3.4 nRF P3.5
nRF P3.6 nRF P3.7
GND GND
TCK TDO
TDI TMS
GND GND
Board ID GND
GND GND
Spare3 Spare4
nRF P2.0 nRF P2.1
nRF P2.2 nRF P2.3
nRF P2.4 nRF P2.5
nRF P2.6
GND GND
GND GND
nRF P2.7

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nRFgo Starter Kit User Guide v1.7
Table 1 Description of the nRF module connector pins
The pinout of each of the generic ports will change depending on which device is present on the
Development Kit module. Please refer to the nRF device’s Development Kit User Guide for pinout details on
the nRF device ports (pins 7 to 14 and 29 to 36).
2.2 Power supply
The Motherboard can be powered from three sources:
• USB connected to a computer
• External power supply with the following specifications:
•ACorDC
• 8 to 20 V, min 500 mA.
• 2.1 mm center pin, with any polarity
•Batteries
•3 x AAA 1.5 V. Do not use rechargeable batteries.
The S9 switch is the main power switch and allows you to turn the Motherboard on and off.
Pin Number
MOD B MOD A
Name Function Name Function
1, 3 Vext Power supply output for circuitry on
the Motherboard.
VCC Main power supply of the
Motherboard.
2, 4 VTG Target Power supply for
non-nRF device(s) on the
Development Kit module.
VTG_nRF Target Power supply for nRF devices
on the Development Kit module.
7 - 14 P3.x nRF device port 3. P0.x nRF device port 0.
15 - 16 GND Ground. GND Ground.
17 - 20 TCK,TDI,
TDO,TMS
nRF probe hardware debugger JTAG
interface.
MOSI,MISO
,CSN
SCK1
1. Motherboard main MCU control interfaces only. nRF device SPI and 2 wire interfaces (if present) are available in
the nRF device ports (pins 7 - 14 or 29 - 36).
Main MCU SPI control interface for
the Motherboard.
21 - 22 GND Ground. GND Ground.
23 BoardID2
2. Used by the Motherboard only.
Development Kit ID. SCL12-wire clock from nRFgo
Motherboard main MCU.
24 GND Ground. SDA12-wire data from the Motherboard
main MCU.
25-26 GND Ground. PROG2
nRF
Reset2
Motherboard main MCU program
enable and reset control of the
Development Kit module.
27-28 SparexReserved SparexReserved
29-36 P2.x nRF device Port 2 P1.x nRF device port 1.
37-40 GND Ground GND Ground

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nRFgo Starter Kit User Guide v1.7
Using switch S8 you can select where the Motherboard should receive power; from VBUS in the USB
connector, or from the external power supply connector J3.
Figure 5 Power supply connection and S8 setting for A: USB and B: External
The 3 x AAA battery pack supplies the board if neither external power supply options are present. When
using batteries the S9 switch is still the main power switch. Setting the S8 switch is no longer relevant.
The regulated supplies on the Motherboard can supply a total of 500 mA. When external application
circuitry is connected, ensure that the current drain does not exceed this limit. If a USB is used as the power
supply to the system, ensure that the USB port is capable of delivering 500 mA or use an externally powered
USB hub.
2.2.1 Regulated supplies
The Motherboard has three separate power nets: VTG, VCC, and VEXT.
VTG: Vtarget is the power supply for the Development Kit module. This is a variable power supply controlled
through nRFgo Studio, which is available from www.nordicsemi.com. The VTG is split into two branches:
VTG and VTG_nRF. VTG_nRF is split from VTG and routed through the nRF current measurement header P7.
On the Development Kit modules VTG_nRF supplies only the nRF devices. Any non-Nordic Semiconductor
circuitry is supplied from VTG. This arrangement enables ‘nRF device(s) only’ current consumption
measurements on P7.
VCC: Mainly for the Motherboard control circuitry, VCC is a fixed 3.8 V supply. It is available from the nRF
module connectors and more importantly in the extension board connectors for development flexibility.
VEXT: Directly interfacing the nRF module, VEXT supplies the signal level shifters and circuitry/headers.
VEXT on the Motherboard is sourced from the Development Kit module to ensure correct signal levels. In
most cases the connector pins VTG and VEXT are shorted on the nRF module resulting in VEXT=VTG. Please
refer to the Development Kit User Guides for details.
2.2.2 Status LEDs
The Motherboard has two LEDs indicating power supply status:
•D9 is lit if VCC is present.
•D8 is green if VTG is present.
AB
S8 switch S8 switch

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nRFgo Starter Kit User Guide v1.7
2.3 Status display
When nRFgo Studio is running and the Motherboard is connected to your computer, the LED status display
shows the ID number assigned to the Motherboard by nRFgo Studio. The same ID will be shown in the
nRFgo Studio user interface. If two or more Motherboards are connected to one computer, make sure the ID
number in the nRFgo Studio user interface matches the ID on the Motherboard you want to control.
If you unplug the USB cable linking the Motherboard to your computer, and the board is fitted with
batteries, the ID number assigned to the Motherboard will begin to flash intermittently with a dot (.). This
signals that the Motherboard’s ID may change in nRFgo Studio when the Motherboard is reconnected to
your computer.
2.4 nRF reset button
The nRF RESET button is the reset button for the Development Kit module connected to MODA/MODB.
Pressing this button causes a full reset of the Development Kit module, but it does not affect the
Motherboard’s main MCU.
2.5 Ground connection
Apart from the GND found in various headers on the Motherboard, a separate GND connection is available
for test instruments.
2.6 I/O port headers
The I/O ports of the Development Kit module are routed directly to the I/O headers (P8-P11) on the
Motherboard.
Figure 6 General pinout of the I/O port headers
All I/O header pinouts are identical and shown in Figure 6. The number of headers and pins used and the
pinout will vary depending on which nRFgo development module is fitted. Please refer to each
Development Kit User Guide for details.
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Px.0 Px.1
Px.2 Px.3
Px.4 Px.5
Px.6 Px.7
GND Vext

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2.7 Buttons
Eight buttons are provided on the Motherboard to offer you a simple way to give device feedback during
development. The buttons are connected to the Button header (P1). One of the 10 pin cables supplied in the
nRFgo Starter Kit is used to connect the Button header (P1) to the wanted device port or pin found in the
I/O headers (P8-P11), illustrated in Figure 7 on page 11.
Figure 7 Connection of the Motherboard buttons to an I/O header
Pressing a button provides a 0 V input for the nRF device. Pull up resistors give VEXT levels when the buttons
are released. Figure 8 shows the button circuitry schematic and the button header (P1) pinout.
.
Figure 8 General pinout of the button headers
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Button 0 Button 1
Button 2 Button 3
Button 4 Button 5
Button 6 Button 7
GND Not used
GND
10k
R2
150R
R1
S
VEXT
Button X

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nRFgo Starter Kit User Guide v1.7
2.8 LEDs
Eight LEDs are provided on the Motherboard to supply you with a simple way to read device output during
development. These are fitted with drivers and connected to the LED header (P2). The 10 pin cables
supplied are used to connect the LED header (P2) to the wanted I/O port or pin headers, see Figure 9.
Figure 9 Connection of the Motherboard LEDs to an I/O header
Logic high output from an nRF device lights the LEDs. Figure 10 shows the LEDs circuitry schematic and
header P2 pinout.
Figure 10 LED circuitry schematic and header P2 pinout
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LED 0 LED 1
LED 2 LED 3
LED 4 LED 5
LED 6 LED 7
GND Not used
VCC
150R
R1
GND
4. 7k
R2 QA
BC847BS
D
LED X

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nRFgo Starter Kit User Guide v1.7
2.9 RS232 serial port interface
The RS232 header (P15) is connected to the RS232 serial port interface (J2) through a RS232 converter. See
Figure 11 for the schematic. Normally, only TXD (Transmit Data) and RXD (Receive Data) are used, but CTS
(Clear to Send) and RTS (Request to Send) can be used for hardware flow control.
Figure 11 RS232 converter schematic
The UART data pins, TXD and RXD, will be present on different I/O port pins depending on the Development
Kit; please see each Development Kit User Guide for details. Connect a double or two single cables between
P15 and the correct pins in P8 to P11 to use the RS232 converter. Figure 12 shows a connection example for
a nRF24LE1-F16Q48. You must also switch on the RS232 converter with the RS232 serial port switch (S11).
Figure 12 RS232 header P15 connected to I/O header
13
10
11
8
12
9
14
7
C1+
1
C2+
4
GND
15
C1-
3VCC 16
C2-
5
V- 6
V+ 2
U5
MAX3232CUE
100nF
C16
100nF
C19
100nFC15
100nFC18 GND
GND
VEXT
100nF
C17
GND
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
11
10
9 Pin Dsub Female
J2
GND
GND
RS232
TXD
RXD
GND
2
3
1S11
RTS
CTS
1 2
3 4
P15
Header 2X2

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nRFgo Starter Kit User Guide v1.7
Table 2 UART header P15 pin description
2.10 ISP interface
A nRF ISP interface (P16) is available on the Motherboard to enable in-circuit programming (ISP) of nRF
devices. This interface enables ISP on your application boards. Figure 13 shows the pinout of the ISP
connector. Please refer to nRF device product specifications for details on the program interface pinout on
each nRF device.
Note: You must manually enable the nRF ISP interface in nRFgo Studio before you can use it for ISP
on an application board external to the Motherboard.
Figure 13 nRF ISP interface pinout
Pin number Signal name Description
1 RXD UART receives data
2TXD UART transmits data
3RTSRequesttosend
4CTS Clear to send
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RF_VDD Not used
PROG CSN
MOSI RESET
MISO SCK
Not used GND

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nRFgo Starter Kit User Guide v1.7
Table 3 nRF ISP interface pin description
Note: RF_VDD is used for signal level shifters on the Motherboard. Therefore, the power supply of
the Motherboard does not have to match the power supply level of the connected application
board. The application board must, however, be powered from its own power supply.
2.11 nRF debug interface
A JTAG debug interface (P12) is available on the Motherboard to enable the nRFprobe hardware debugger
to access nRF devices not found on a Development Kit module. This interface enables hardware debugging
on your own application boards.
The nRF debug interface is wired in parallel with the nRF Module connectors MOD A (P3) and MOD B (P4). To
use the nRF debug interface remove the Development Kit module from the Motherboard. Figure 14 shows
the pinout of the nRF debug interface. Please refer to the relevant nRF device product specification for
debug interface pinout details.
Figure 14 nRF hardware debug interface pinout
Pin number Signal name Description
1 RF_VDD Supply voltage from the connected application board
2Not used
3 PROG Program enable
4 CSN SPI chip select
5 MOSI SPI Master Out Slave In
6RESET Reset signal to the device to be programmed
7 MISO SPI Master In Slave Out
8SCK SPI clock
9Notused
10 GND Common ground
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TCK GND
TDO VEXT
TMS VEXT
Not used RESET
TDI Not used

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nRFgo Starter Kit User Guide v1.7
Table 4 nRF hardware debug interface pin description
Pin number Signal name Description
1TCKJTAGclock
2GND Ground
3TDOJTAGdataout
4VEXT Application board supply voltage. Used by signal level shifters on the Motherboard
to ensure correct signal levels between the Motherboard and target application
board.
5TMS
6VEXT
7Notused
8RESET nRF device reset
9TDIJTAGdatain
10 Not used

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2.12 Extension board connectors
The extension board connectors, EXT A (P5) and EXT B (P6), have the same pinout as the nRF module
connectors, offering full access to all the I/Os of the Development Kit used.
The only exception is pin 23 on EXT B. This pin is used to identify the extension module. Please refer to Table
1 on page 8 for the pin description.
Figure 15 Extension board connectors - EXT B and EXT A
These connectors give you full access to all the nRF module I/O pins and the Motherboard power supply for
application development. See Figure 16 on page 18 for the mechanical dimensions of the extension board
connectors.
EXT AEXT B
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13 14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
38
40
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17
19
21
23
25
27
29
31
33
35
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Vcc VTG_nRF
Vcc VTG_nRF
GND GND
nRF P0.0 nRF P0.1
nRF P0.2 nRF P0.3
nRF P0.4 nRF P0.5
nRF P0.6 nRF P0.7
GND GND
MOSI MISO
CSN SCK
GND GND
SCL SDA
PROG nRF Reset
Spare1 Spare2
nRF P1.0 nRF P1.1
nRF P1.2 nRF P1.3
nRF P1.4 nRF P1.5
nRF P1.6
GND GND
GND GND
nRF P1.7
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13 14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
38
40
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
31
33
35
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39
Vext VTG
Vext VTG
GND GND
nRF P3.0 nRF P3.1
nRF P3.2 nRF P3.3
nRF P3.4 nRF P3.5
nRF P3.6 nRF P3.7
GND GND
TCK TDO
TDI TMS
GND GND
Board ID GND
GND GND
Spare3 Spare4
nRF P2.0 nRF P2.1
nRF P2.2 nRF P2.3
nRF P2.4 nRF P2.5
nRF P2.6
GND GND
GND GND
nRF P2.7

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Figure 16 Mechanical dimensions of the extension board connectors
2500 mil /
63.5mm
100 mil /
2.54mm
100 mil /
2.54mm
1
1

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nRFgo Starter Kit User Guide v1.7
2.13 Block schematic
Figure 17 Motherboard (nRF6310) block schematic
MCU Control
Reg
Reg
USB
RS232
Logic
RS232
Level
Shift
Mod A Mod B
Port3
Port2
Port1
Port0
Debug
LED
BTN
SPI
+3.8v
VTG
SPI
nRFprog
ADJ
2W
Level
Shift
2W
VTG +3.6v
Bat
8x
8x
2x20 pin 2x20 pin
Resistor devider (Board ID)
AIN
VTG Sense
AIN
Ext A Ext B
1:1 1:1
Modules port
Extension port
Enable
Enable
Level
Shift
Enable
Level
Shift
Prog/rst
Prog/rst
Enable
Level
Shift
Prog/rst
5v
Reg
Ext
Resistor devider
(HW ID) AIN
7-segment
display
EEPROM SPI
VBUS

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nRFgo Starter Kit User Guide v1.7
3 Display module (nRF6350)
Figure 18 Display module (nRF6350)
The nRF6350 extension board is equipped with an LCD and a four-way joystick with an input push button.
Both the LCD and joystick are controlled with a 2-wire interface (SDA and SCL). The SDA and SLC signals are
routed through the pin header P3 to the extension board connector P1. See Table 5 for a description. Place
jumpers over pin 1-2 and pin 3-4 to guide these signals to P1.
Table 5 P3 pinout description
Pin Number Signal Name Description
1 SDA’ 2-wire data line, connected to the extension board connector P1, pin 24.
2SDA 2-wire data line, connected to the onboard LCD and the joystick.
3 SCL’ 2-wire clock line, connected to the extension board connector P1, pin 23.
4SCL 2-wire clock line, connected to the onboard LCD and joystick.
5 RESERVED Spare1 signal to the Motherboard MCU.
6INT Interrupt signal from the I/O port expander controlling the joystick.
7 GND Common ground.
8PWR
Control signal for LCD and joystick power. Default on (HIGH) through
onboard pull-up resistor. Display will be ON when the connection point is
floating. The display/joystick can be set to OFF if you connect the PWR
signal to an I/O line and set it to LOW.
2x 16 Alphanumerical display
nRFgo extension
board connectors
Joystick 2-wire extension IC
P3