ST SPLML-868 Instruction Manual

ST CONFIDENTIAL
February 2014
Doc ID TBD Rev 0.8 Rev 0.8
1/19
www.st.com
SPLML-868 and SP1ML-915
SPIRIT1 868 and 915 MHz Low Power RF Modules
PRELIMINARY DATASHEET
Features
Complete RF ready Spirit1 module
Integrated antenna and crystal
STM32L microcontroller up to 32 MHz
Low power consumption
UART interface with AT command set
Operates from a single 1.8V to 3.6V supply
863 to 870 MHz operation (SP1ML-868)
902 to 928 MHz operation (SP1ML-915)
Output power up to +11.6dBm
Data rates up to 500kbps
Modulation schemes: 2-FSK, GFSK, GMSK,
OOK, and ASK
Compact size: 14mm x 13.4mm x 2.5mm
Operating temperature: -40 °C to 85 °C
FCC and CE regulatory approvals
Applications
Serial cable replacement
Home automation
M2M industrial control
Service diagnostic
Data acquisition equipment
Machine control
Sensor monitoring
Security systems
Mobile health and medical

2/19
Doc ID TBD Rev 0.8 Rev 0.1
www.st.com
Contents
1Description........................................................................................... 4
2Hardware specification........................................................................ 5
2.1 Recommended operating conditions.........................................................................5
2.2 Absolute maximum ratings........................................................................................ 5
2.3 I/O operating characteristics .....................................................................................5
2.4 Current consumption................................................................................................. 6
2.5 RF compliance limits................................................................................................. 6
2.6 Pin assignment.........................................................................................................7
2.7 Pin placement........................................................................................................... 8
2.8 Hardware block diagram...........................................................................................8
3Hardware design.................................................................................. 9
3.1 Pin usage.................................................................................................................. 9
3.2 Typical application circuit........................................................................................ 10
3.3 Layout guidelines.................................................................................................... 11
3.4 Recommended footprint.......................................................................................... 12
3.5 Module reflow installation........................................................................................ 13
4Mechanical data................................................................................. 14
4.1 RoHS compliance................................................................................................... 14
5Regulatory compliance ..................................................................... 15
5.1 FCC certification ..................................................................................................... 15
5.2 CE certification........................................................................................................ 15
5.3 Labeling instructions............................................................................................... 16
5.4 Product manual instructions.................................................................................... 16
6Ordering Information......................................................................... 18

Doc ID TBD Rev 0.8 Rev 0.1
3/19
www.st.com
List of tables
Table 1. Recommended operating conditions ....................................................................................5
Table 2. Absolute maximum ratings ...................................................................................................5
Table 3. I/O operating characteristics................................................................................................. 5
Table 4. Current consumption............................................................................................................6
Table 5. RF compliance limits ............................................................................................................6
Table 6. Pin assignment..................................................................................................................... 7
Table 7. Module pin usage.................................................................................................................9
Table 8. Soldering profile ................................................................................................................. 13
Table 12. Ordering information....................................................................................................... 18
List of figures
Figure 1. Pin placement...................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 2. Hardware block diagram ......................................................................................................8
Figure 3. Typical application circuit ................................................................................................... 10
Figure 4. Layout guidelines............................................................................................................... 11
Figure 5. Recommended footprint..................................................................................................... 12
Figure 6. Soldering profile................................................................................................................. 13
Figure 7. Mechanical data................................................................................................................. 14

4/19
Doc ID TBD Rev 0.8 Rev 0.1
www.st.com
1 Description
The SP1ML-868 and SP1ML-915 are low power RF modules based on the SPIRIT1 radio,
with integrated voltage regulation, antenna, crystal and microcontroller in a compact
surface mount module form-factor. The module allows OEMs to easily add wireless
capability to any electronic device without requiring in-depth RF experience, and has the
necessary FCC modular approvals and CE compliance to reduce time to market.
The UART host interface allows simple connection to an external microcontroller. Access
to module features is provided through an extended AT command set. A simple cable
replacement model allows the module to be used similarly to a standard serial interface.
The microcontroller serial wire debug signals are available and allow the standard
firmware to be replaced by a user application, enabling use as a wireless application
module where no external microprocessor system is required. Select STM32L GPIO and
peripherals are available for interfacing to external devices in the user application, and
advanced features of the SPIRIT1 radio are also accessible.

Doc ID TBD Rev 0.8 Rev 0.1
5/19
www.st.com
2 Hardware specification
General conditions (VIN = 3 V and TA= 25˚C).
2.1 Recommended operating conditions
Table 1. Recommended operating conditions
Symbol
Parameter
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
TA
Operating ambient temperature range
-40
-
85
˚C
VDD
Operating supply voltage
1.8
3
3.6
V
FREQ
RF frequency (SP1ML-868)
863
-
870
MHz
FREQ
RF frequency (SP1ML-915)
902
-
928
MHz
2.2 Absolute maximum ratings
Table 2. Absolute maximum ratings
Symbol
Parameter
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
TSTG
Storage temperature range
-40
-
85
˚C
VDD
Operating supply voltage
-0.3
-
3.9
V
VIO
I/O pin voltage
-0.3
-
5.5
V
2.3 I/O operating characteristics
Table 3. I/O operating characteristics
Symbol
Parameter
Min.
Typ.
Max.
Unit
VIL(1)
I/O input low level voltage
-0.3
-
0.3 VDD
V
VIH(1)
I/O input high level voltage
0.7 VIN
-
VDD+0.3
V
1. For more details see the STM32L151RB datasheet, I/O port characteristics.

6/19
Doc ID TBD Rev 0.8 Rev 0.1
www.st.com
2.4 Current consumption
Table 4. Current consumption
Symbol
Parameter
Test Conditions
Typ.
Unit
IDD
Supply current
Operating mode
Tx, +11dBm, 2-FSK, 915 MHz
20
mA
Operating mode
Tx, -7dBm, 2-FSK, 915 MHz
8
mA
Operating mode
Rx, 915 MHz
11
mA
Operating mode –Idle
800
µA
Command mode
1.3
mA
Standby
1.4
µA
2.5 RF compliance limits
The RF compliance limits are those tested for FCC and CE certification. These limits are
enforced by the factory loaded firmware.
Table 5. RF compliance limits
Modulation
Standards
Parameter
Max.
Unit
2-FSK
GFSK
MSK
FCC Part 15.207 (1)
FCC Part 15.247 (1)
EN 300 220-2 V2.4.1 (2)
EN 301 489-01 V1.9.2 (2)
EN 301 489-03 V1.4.1 (2)
Data rate
500
kbps
Output power
+11.6
dBm
OOK
ASK
FCC Part 15.207 (1)
FCC Part 15.249 (1)
EN 300 220-2 V2.4.1 (2)
EN 301 489-01 V1.9.2 (2)
EN 301 489-03 V1.4.1 (2)
Data rate
250
kbps
Output power
+8.5
dBm
1. FCC standards are only applicable to the SP1ML-915 module.
2. EN standards are only applicable to the SP1ML-868 module.

Doc ID TBD Rev 0.8 Rev 0.1
7/19
www.st.com
2.6 Pin assignment
Table 6. Pin assignment
Pin
Name
Type
Description
STM32L pin(1)
1
TXRXLED
O
Active low Tx/Rx LED drive
PA2
2
WKUP
I/O
Wake up module from shutdown
PA0
3
GPIO0
I/O
General purpose input/output 0
PB15
4
GPIO1
I/O
General purpose input/output 1
PB14
5
MODE0
I/O
Protocol mode selection 0(2)
PB13
6
MODE1
I/O
Protocol mode selection 1(2)
PB12
7
VDD
Power
Supply input voltage
-
8
GND
Power
Ground
-
9
SWDIO
I/O
Serial wire I/O
PA13
10
SWCLK
I
Serial wire clock
PA14
11
BOOTMODE
I
Boot mode selection
BOOT0
12
RESET
I
Reset input, active low
NRST
13
TXD
O
UART transmit data
PA9
14
RXD
I
UART receive data
PA10
15
RTS
O
UART request to send
PB6
16
CTS
I
UART clear to send
PB7
1. For more details see the STM32L151RB datasheet, Pin descriptions section. Alternate functions of any
given pin are dependent on the user application firmware that is loaded into the module and is beyond the
scope of the document.
2. Refer to Hardware design section for details of protocol mode selection.

8/19
Doc ID TBD Rev 0.8 Rev 0.1
www.st.com
2.7 Pin placement
Figure 1. Pin placement
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
2.8 Hardware block diagram
Figure 2. Hardware block diagram
Spirit1 Filter/Balun
STM32L
Microcontroller
SPI
GPIO
UART
XTAL
1.8V to 3.6V Supply
GPIO TX
RXp
RXn
SMPS

Doc ID TBD Rev 0.8 Rev 0.1
9/19
www.st.com
3 Hardware design
3.1 Pin usage
If used with the default firmware and interfaced to a host MCU, at a minimum the SP1ML
module requires power, ground and UART transmit and receive signals to be connected.
Other signals are optional and provide additional functionality. These signals are outlined
in the following table. Unused signals must not be connected.
Table 7. Module pin usage
Pin
Name
Description
Optional
1
TXRXLED
An active-low open drain output that can drive an
external LED for TX/RX activity status indication.
Yes
2
WKUP
Drive this signal low to put the module into a low
power shutdown mode. Float or drive the signal high
to wake the module.
Yes
3
GPIO0
Reserved for future use, do not connect.
Yes
4
GPIO1
Reserved for future use, do not connect.
Yes
5
MODE0
Drive this signal low to force the module into
operating mode. Drive this signal high to force the
module into command mode. This enables faster
switching between modes and obviates the need for
escape sequences.
Yes
6
MODE1
Reserved for future use, do not connect.
Yes
7
VDD
Connect to power supply, 1.8V to 3.6V.
No
8
GND
Connect to system ground.
No
9
SWDIO
These signals are the serial wire debug (SWD)
interface to the STM32L microcontroller, supporting
the development and loading of custom firmware.
Yes
10
SWCLK
Yes
11
BOOTMODE
Drive this signal high at power up or reset to start the
boot loader and allow device firmware update over
the UART interface.
Yes
12
RESET
Drive this signal low to hold the module in reset. Drive
this signal high to release the module from reset.
Yes
13
TXD
Connect to the host system UART RXD input.
No
14
RXD
Connect to the host system UART TXD output.
No
15
RTS
Connect to the host system UART CTS output if flow
control is required.
Yes
16
CTS
Connect to the host system UART RTS input if flow
control is required.
Yes

10/19
Doc ID TBD Rev 0.8 Rev 0.1
www.st.com
3.2 Typical application circuit
In a typical application the SP1ML module is connected to a host MCU using a standard
UART, with transmit and receive signals. This is illustrated in the following diagram.
Figure 3. Typical application circuit
SP1ML
MODULE
HOST
MCU
TXD TXD
RXD RXD
RTS RTS
CTS CTS
GPIO
GPIO
BOOTMODE
RESET
GPIO
GPIO
MODE0
WKUP
TXRXLED
1
2
3
4
VDD
RESET
SWCLK
SWDIO
5
SWD
HEADER
VDD
VDD
VDD
GND
10uF
Optional Functionality
1. The TXRXLED signal is an active-low open drain output that can be used to drive an
external LED for status indication when data is sent or received.
2. The RTS and CTS signals can be connected to the host UART interface if hardware
flow control is required.
3. The MODE0 signal provides a hardware method for switching between command and
operating modes. The WKUP signal allows the module to be placed into a low power
shutdown mode and woken up again.
4. The BOOTMODE AND RESET signals should be connected if module firmware will
need to be updated over the UART interface.
5. To support custom module firmware, the serial wire debug signals need to be
accessible for programming and debugging.