Silicon Laboratories QSG120 User manual

QSG120: Silicon Labs AppBuilder-Based
Bluetooth® Smart C-SDK Quick-Start
Guide
This quick-start guide provides basic information on configuring,
building, and installing both SoC and NCP Bluetooth Smart appli-
cations using the AppBuilder-based C-SDK and an EFR32™BG
or Blue Gecko Module Wireless Starter Kit.
This guide is designed for new users of the Silicon Labs AppBuilder-based Bluetooth
Smart C-SDK. It provides instructions to get started using the example applications
provided with the C-SDK to demonstrate different Bluetooth Smart functionality.
KEY FEATURES
• Product overview
• Setting up your development environment
• Discovering the Bluetooth Smart C-SDK
• Working with example applications using
the SoC or NCP demo for Smart Phone
• About other example applications
• Flashing the pre-built demonstration files
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1. Product Overview
Before following the procedures in this guide you must have
• Purchased your Bluetooth Smart Wireless Starter Kit (WSTK).
• SLWSTKT6020A EFR32BG Wireless Starter Kit or
• SLWSTK6101A Blue Gecko Module Wireless Starter Kit
• Registered on the Silicon Labs Website, for access to the Bluetooth Smart C-SDK.
• Downloaded the required software components. A card in your WSTK contains a link to a Getting Started page, which will direct you
to links for the Silicon Labs software products.
• This Quick Start Guide can also be used with SLWSK6000A EFR32MG 2.4 GHz Mesh Networking kit.
1.1 NCP and SoC Bluetooth Smart Applications
The Bluetooth Smart C-SDK allows you to develop System-On-Chip (SoC) software applications in C language on a single microcon-
troller, but it also supports interfacing an external host microcontroller to another microcontroller (Network Co-Processor, NCP) running
the Bluetooth Smart stack over a UART interface using the C language BGAPI protocol. This document gives you a guide on how to get
started with the sample applications for both models.
1.2 Software Components
To develop Silicon Labs Bluetooth Smart applications using the C-SDK, you will need the following:
• The Simplicity Studio development environment, which incorporates AppBuilder. AppBuilder is an interactive GUI tool that allows
you to configure a body of Silicon Labs-supplied code to implement applications. Simplicity Studio also includes Profiler, which ena-
bles power profiling of code in real time by measuring power consumption; Network Analyzer, which captures a trace of wireless
network activity; and the Hardware Configurator, which automatically generates code for hardware peripherals and port I/O, as well
as other tools helpful for developers. Online help for AppBuilder and other Simplicity Studio modules is provided.
• The Silicon Labs Bluetooth Smart C-SDK supports highly customized development using the Bluetooth Smart protocol. It incorpo-
rates a collection of libraries, including the Bluetooth Smart stack libraries, which you can link to your applications.
• IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM 7.30, used as a compiler in the Simplicity Studio development environment.
• IAR flashloader and device files, required for IAR Embedded Workbench, are downloaded from the support portal at https://
www.silabs.com/support/pages/document-library.aspx?p=Wireless%20-%20Bluetooth&f=Bluetooth%20Smart%20SoCs (scroll down
to the Software Downloads section).
• If you are working with the NCP model you also need:
• Cygwin package, which includes the make tool and the x86 compiler used to build NCP host code (from https://cygwin.com/
index.html). Figure 4.15 Project Folder List on page 20, Figure 4.16 Make Output on page 20, and Figure 4.21 Host Applica-
tion Execution on page 22 were taken from the Cygwin terminal.
• GCC ARM Embedded Toolchain v. 4.9 (from https://launchpad.net/gcc-arm-embedded) for building the NCP target application
code. The path of the GCC ARM toolchain has to be specified as a GCCPATH environment variable accessible in the Cygwin
terminal, for example:
GCCPATH="c:/SiliconLabs/SimplicityStudio/v3/developer/toolchains/gnu_arm/4.9-2015q3"
In addition, you will interact with many of the Bluetooth Smart example applications through the Blue Gecko app downloaded to your
iOS or Android smartphone.
• For iOS: In the App Store, search for Blue Gecko and download the Silicon Labs Blue Gecko WSTK App.
• For Android: In the Google Play store, search for Blue Gecko and install the Blue Gecko App.
1.3 Support
Registered users can access the Silicon Labs support portal at https://www.silabs.com/support. Use the support portal to contact Cus-
tomer Support for any questions you might have during the development process.
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Product Overview
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1.4 Documentation
The SDK installer provides a documentation index (in documentation/index.htm and also linked from a Start Menu entry) that contains
links to documentation locations. Simplicity Studio provides links to hardware documentation and other appnotes.
For more information about the following topics, see the referenced documentation:
• Information about modifying these sample applications or writing new applications is provided in UG136, Silicon Labs Bluetooth®
Smart SoC Application Developers Guide (installed with the Bluetooth Smart C-SDK)
• Development of BRD4300A (BGM111 Bluetooth Smart Modules) in BGScript programming language is provided in QSG107,
SLWSTK6101A Quick-Start Guide (on the Silicon Labs website). This document covers C language only.
• The Bluetooth Smart Stack, the BGAPI protocol, and the software architecture are discussed in QSG108, Blue Gecko Bluetooth®
Smart Software Quick-Start Guide (on the Silicon Labs website).
• Application development in IAR Embedded Workbench is covered in AN975, Bluetooth Smart Application Development with IAR.
• Additional features of Simplicity Studio of interest to developers are documented in AN0822, Simplicity Studio™ User Guide, and
AN0823, Simplicity Configurator User Guide (available through the Application Notes tile in the Simplicity perspective).
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Product Overview
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2. Setting Up Your Development Environment
2.1 Install Third-Party Tools
Install third-party tools, such as IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM and its associated files (see section 1.2 Software Components for
the list).
2.2 Install your Silicon Labs Stack or Software Development Kit
Install Silicon Labs software (see section 1.2 Software Components for more information).
If you had installed an earlier version of Simplicity Studio, uninstall it before installing the latest release.
2.3 Connect your Hardware
Connect your WSTK, with radio board mounted, to your PC using a USB cable.
Note: For best performance in Simplicity Studio, be sure that the power switch on your WSTK is in the Advanced Energy Monitoring or
“AEM” position.
Figure 2.1 EFR32BG on a WSTK
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2.4 Install Simplicity Studio
During installation, Simplicity Studio obtains updates and additional packages specific to your connected hardware.
1. As soon as Simplicity Studio launches, it searches for updates. This operation can take several minutes.
Figure 2.2 Checking for Software Updates
2. Once software update is complete, Simplicity Studio checks for connected hardware. If you have not connected your WSTK, you
are prompted to do so. Connect your hardware and, when the screen changes to show that the hardware has been found, click
[Finish].
Figure 2.3 Connect a Kit Before and After Connection
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3. Simplicity Studio then installs software packages related to your connected hardware. This procedure can take some time, during
which the green progress indicator may appear stationary. However, the update steps above the progress indicator are continuous-
ly refreshed.
Figure 2.4 Installation Update
4. After update is complete, restart Simplicity Studio.
5. Once restart is complete, a menu of setup tasks is displayed. Select Initial Setup and then click [Launch setup].
Figure 2.5 Setup Tasks
6. A kit selection dialog is displayed. Your connected kit should be selected. Click [Next >].
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Figure 2.6 Kit Selection Dialog
7. A part selection dialog is displayed. Your connected part should be selected. Click [Next >].
Figure 2.7 Part Selection Dialog
8. A Build Environment Configuration dialog is displayed that shows detected items. If a Toolchain or SDK is not shown, you can click
Add… to configure it now, or configure it later from the Settings control. Adding an SDK is described in section 3. Discovering the
Bluetooth Smart C-SDK. Click [Finish]. The Simplicity perspective, described in the next section, is displayed.
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Figure 2.8 Build Environment Configuration
9. The software sample applications were tested with the WSTK Board Controller Software Build 435. This WSTK firmware package
or later must be installed on your kit. To update your WSTK board controller firmware, click on the Kit Manager tile in the Simplicity
perspective.
Figure 2.9 Kit Manager Tile
Your firmware will be updated to latest version automatically.
Figure 2.10 Kit Manager with Latest Board Controller Firmware
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2.5 Navigation in Simplicity Studio
Simplicity Studio is built on the Eclipse platform. As such, it is broken up into different “perspectives,” each of which allows access to a
specific set of functionality. Simplicity Studio starts up in the “Simplicity perspective,” sometimes referred to as the “Home Screen” .
Figure 2.11 Simplicity Studio's Simplicity Perspective
From the Simplicity perspective, you can discover devices, configure Simplicity Studio, or navigate to another perspective for applica-
tion development.
The Simplicity perspective shows large tile icons that represent the various sets of functionality within Simplicity Studio. Clicking a tile
opens a different perspective. When you are in a different perspective, you can always return to the Simplicity perspective or any other
perspective at any time by clicking on one of the tile icons in the top right-hand corner of your screen.
Figure 2.12 Navigation Tile Icons
Your detected hardware is shown in the Detected Hardware panel in the lower left of the Simplicity perspective. If you change connec-
ted hardware and it does not auto-detect, click [Refresh Detected Hardware].
Three controls in the upper right allow you to maintain part-specific packages, install updates to the core Simplicity Studio software, and
change configuration settings.
Figure 2.13 Maintenance Tools
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3. Discovering the Bluetooth Smart C-SDK
If you are discovering the C-SDK from the Build Environment Configuration Add … step described in section 2.4 Install Simplicity Stu-
dio, go to step 4. If you are discovering the SDK after initial setup, begin with step 1.
1. Click the Settings icon on the top right-hand corner of the Simplicity perspective to open the Preferences window.
Figure 3.1 Settings Icon
2. In the Preferences window’s left frame, click Simplicity Studio > SDKs to open the configuration dialog.
Figure 3.2 Silicon Labs SDK Configuration
3. Click [Add].
4. Browse to the location where you have installed the C-SDK and click [OK].
5. Verify the software has detected the Bluetooth Smart SDK and click [OK].
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Figure 3.3 Add SDKs
6. Click [OK] to return to the starting configuration page.
7. Click [Finish] (from initial configuration) or [OK] (from the settings icon).
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4. Working with Example Applications
When working with example applications in the Silicon Labs AppBuilder-based Bluetooth Smart C-SDK, you will execute the following
steps:
1. Select an example application.
2. Generate application files.
3. Compile and flash the application to the EFR32BG on the WSTK. If you are working with an NCP example, you will also make and
run the host application on your computer.
4. Interact with the application using the WSTK and the Blue Gecko app.
These steps are described in detail in the following sections.
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4.1 Selecting an Example Application
The Bluetooth Smart C-SDK comes with a number of example applications. This guide provides instructions for building, loading, and
interacting with the both the SoC and NCP variants of the Demo for the Smart Phone App. See section 5. About Other Example Appli-
cations for more information on using the other example applications. The SoC examples are also provided as pre-built binary files,
allowing you to bypass the generating and compiling steps. See section 6. Flashing the Pre-Built Demonstration Files for instructions.
The Demo for the Smart Phone App allows you to use the WSTK and the client Blue Gecko app in the following modes:
•Health Thermometer mode: In this mode, the server sends temperature measurement values and other related data from its on-
board temperature sensor. The service is intended for healthcare and fitness applications. It demonstrates how information can be
transferred from server to client.
•Beaconing mode: In this mode, the server sends device-specific information to the clients in its proximity. It transmits its universally
unique identifier (UUID) in its advertising packets, which can be picked up by a compatible client device. This feature demonstrates
how data can be transmitted to the client without a connection.
•Immediate Alert Service (Key Fobs) mode: In this mode, the client device sends immediate alert level updates based on the prox-
imity of the server device. This service demonstrates how information can be transferred from client to server.
1. In the Simplicity perspective, click the Software Examples tile.
Figure 4.1 Software Examples Tile
2. In the New Example dialog, enter the kit, part, and SDK. Kit and part will be filled by Simplicity Studio if the hardware was detected
and displayed in the Simplicity perspective.
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Figure 4.2 New Example Project Dialog
3. Click [Next].
4. Select an example from the list. For the purposes of this guide, select either the SoC demo for Smart Phone App or the NCP
demo for Smart Phone App.
Figure 4.3 SoC (a) and NCP (b) Example Project Lists
5. Click [Next].
6. If you wish, change the default project name or location in the Project Configuration Dialog. If you are building an NCP example,
you will need the location later in the procedure. Click [Finish].
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Figure 4.4 Project Configuration Dialog
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4.2 Generating the Application Source Files
1. When you finish creating your example project, an AppBuilder General tab opens. Click [Generate].
Figure 4.5 AppBuilder General Tab
2. In the Overwrite Dialog, if necessary, uncheck ble-xxx-callbacks.c, and check efr32xxx.hwconf. Click [OK].
Figure 4.6 Overwrite Dialog
3. Once generation is complete, a dialog reporting results is displayed. Click [OK].
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Figure 4.7 Generation Confirmation Dialog
4.3 Flashing and Interacting with the Application
The procedure to flash and run the application differs depending on whether you are using an SoC example or an NCP example.
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4.3.1 SoC Example
1. After you click [OK] on the Generation Confirmation dialog, the AppBuilder General tab returns. Click the Debug control to compile
and flash the application to the EFR32.
Figure 4.8 AppBuilder Debug Control
2. A dialog shows the procedure’s progress. Wait until flashing has completed and a debug window is displayed.
Figure 4.9 Flash Progress
3. In the Debug window, click the Resume control to start the application running on the WSTK.
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Figure 4.10 Debug Window Resume Control
Next to the Resume control are Suspend, Disconnect, Reconnect, and Stepping controls. Click the Disconnect control when you
are ready to exit Debug mode.
Figure 4.11 Disconnect Control
4. The application should display on the WSTK LCD.
Figure 4.12 Example Application Display
5. In the Blue Gecko app, touch Health Thermometer as shown below in image (a).
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Figure 4.13 Blue Gecko App - SoC Results
6. Touch the device (image b). The app displays the measured temperature, and a fixed timestamp (image c).
To demonstrate the retail beacon mode, briefly (< 2s) press PB0 on the WSTK until the display changes to BEACON MODE. Touch
Retail Beacon on the Blue Gecko app. The app displays details about the broadcasting device.
To demonstrate the Key Fobs mode, briefly press PB0 on the WSTK until the display changes to Advertising MODE. Touch Key Fobs
on the Blue Gecko app. Touch [FIND] next to the displayed device (image (a) below). On the WSTK, the LED flicker frequency indi-
cates the proximity of the smartphone. The frequency increases as the smartphone is moved closer, and decreases and finally stops as
the smartphone is moved further away.
Figure 4.14 Blue Gecko App - Key Fobs
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