ST TN100 RF User manual

January 2009 Rev 1 1/37
UM0579
User manual
TN100 RF evaluation kit
This document describes the TN100 RF evaluation kit (TN100/M32B-EVAL) used to
evaluate the capabilities of the TN100 device for ranging operations and RF data
transmission based on the Chirp technology.
The entire package consists of two TN100 sensor boards (version 1.1) and a complete
software package.
Both boards are exactly the same and are equipped with:
■a board (TN100-RCM) which integrates both an STM32 microcontroller and a TN100
transceiver
■a set of sensors to detect temperature and accelerations
■one reset (S1) and three general-purpose buttons (S2 to S4)
■four general-purpose LEDs (LD1 to LD4), Tx/Rx activity LED (LD5), power supply LED
(LD6)
The sensor boards act as source of information providing data regarding distance
measurement (ranging), temperature, accelerations, and status.
The software consists of:
■The ST TN100 Application running on a host PC used to interact with the sensor boards
and easily perform ranging operations, packet data transmission, and retrieval of on-
board sensor data. Additionally, it offers a graphical representation of the two-node
network constituted by the sensor boards.
■Firmware running on the STM32 microcontroller including: driver for the TN100 device,
drivers for all the sensors such as MEMS, temperature, internal protocol used to
exchange data, and commands, among nodes and the PC.
More details on boards and software are provided in the following sections.
Figure 1. TN100 sensor board with STM32 microcontroller
www.st.com
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Contents UM0579
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Contents
1 Reference information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.1 Acronyms and definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.2 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2 Description of the delivered package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.1 Hardware overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 Software overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3 TN100 sensor board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.1 Description of connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.1.1 JTAG connector (CN1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.1.2 Extension connector (CN2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.1.3 Extension connector (CN3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.1.4 USB connector (CN4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.1.5 RS-232 connector (CN5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.2 General-purpose and reset buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.3 LED indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.4 Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4 Getting started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.1 Kit setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.1.1 Software installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.1.2 Board setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.2 Application description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.2.1 Running the application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.2.2 Menu bar and toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.2.3 Sensing and control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.2.4 Ranging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.2.5 Data Tx/Rx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.2.6 Send messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.2.7 RF parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.2.8 Packet log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5 Updating firmware nodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

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5.1 Upload firmware using HyperTerminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5.2 Upload firmware using TN100 application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
5.3 Loading the boot loader into the sensor board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Appendix A Board assembly setup manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Appendix B Bill of materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Appendix C Artwork prints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Appendix D Schematic diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Revision history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

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Reference information UM0579
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1 Reference information
1.1 Acronyms and definitions
1.2 References
1. TN100 RF board datasheet
2. TN100 High performance CSS transceiver enabling location awareness datasheet
3. LIS302DL MEMS motion sensor 3-axis
4. STLM20W87F analog temperature sensor
5. STM32F103CB STM32 ARM-based 32-bit MCU
Please check the STMicroelectronics web site www.st.com for any available updates.
Table 1. List of acronyms and definitions
Term Meaning
ARQ The Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ) scheme is used to achieve correct
data transmission.
CSMA/CA Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance
CSS Chirp Spread Spectrum
FEC
The Forward Error Correction coding scheme is a (7, 4) shortened
Hamming code and consists of 4 data bits and 3 parity bits. The FEC
scheme on the MACFrame reduces the number of retransmissions.
LBS Location-based services
MAC Medium Access Controller
MAC retries Maximum allowed number of retransmission attempts for Data packets.
Ranging Term used to indicate the capability to determine the distance between two
RF devices.
RTLS Real-time locating system
SPI Serial Peripheral Interface bus
TDMA Time Division Multiple Access

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2 Description of the delivered package
The ST RF TN100 Evaluation kit contains the following items:
●One guarantee record card
●Two TN100 sensor boards
●One CD-ROM including the following items:
– Application and firmware source code
–Usermanual
– Board schematics
– Datasheets
Please check the STMicroelectronics website www.st.com for any available updates and
downloads.
2.1 Hardware overview
Figure 2 shows the main components of the sensor boards contained in the package.
The TN100 transceiver is a highly integrated mixed signal chip that uses CSS (chirp spread
spectrum) wireless communication technology. With its unique ranging capability, the TN100
can measure the link distance between two nodes. Thus, the TN100 supports location
awareness applications including location-based services (LBS) and asset tracking (2D/3D
RTLS). Ranging is performed during regular data communication and does not require
additional infrastructure, power, and/or bandwidth. The TN100 transceiver IC is designed to
build up robust, short distance wireless networks operating in the 2.45 GHz ISM band with
extremely low power consumption over a wide range of operating temperatures.
The TN100 supports 7-frequency channels with 3 non-overlapping channels. This provides
support for multiple physically independent networks and improved coexistence
performance with existing 2.4 GHz wireless technologies. Data rates are selectable between
2 Mbps and 125 kbps. The TN100 transceiver includes a sophisticated Medium Access
Controller (MAC) with CSMA/CA and TDMA support as well as forward error correction
(FEC) and 128-bit hardware encryption. Through its high-speed standard SPI interface, the
TN100 can be interfaced with an external microcontroller. It includes a 4-kbit frame buffer so
that several receive and transmit frames can be stored simultaneously in the buffers. This
solution eliminates the problems of different peak data rates between air and microcontroller
interfaces.
ST's STM32 family of 32-bit Flash microcontrollers is based on the breakthrough ARM
Cortex™-M3 core - a core specifically developed for embedded applications. The STM32
family benefits from the Cortex-M3 architectural enhancements including the Thumb®-2
instruction set to deliver improved performance with better code density, significantly faster
response to interrupts, all combined with industry leading power consumption.

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Figure 2. TN100 RF board
The smart TN100 RF board is only 39 mm by 24 mm and less than 3 mm thick. Yet, it
integrates all required components for a complete RF circuit based on the innovative
transceiver. As well as the chip, this board includes the ST STM32 microcontroller (MCU), a
band pass filter, a balun and an integrated 2.4 GHz chip antenna.
More details may be found in Section 3: TN100 sensor board.
2.2 Software overview
The ST TN100 Application is provided to evaluate the ST TN100 technology and hence
perform remote ranging operations between nodes, sending and receiving simple data
packets and text messages, getting sensor values, and setting the status of on-board LEDs.
The application's Graphical User Interface is designed for easy interaction with the sensor
boards thanks to an integrated environment where all the relevant parameters may be set
and monitored (see Figure 3: TN100 application window). Additionally, the user is also able
to hide and/or show certain features in order to focus on the more relevant data. The benefit
consists in being able to launch a single application and perform all possible actions using
the ST TN100 technology.
The application provides the user interface for both sensors boards.

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Figure 3. TN100 application window
Basically, the application running on the PC cooperates with the firmware running on the
sensor nodes and it is able to:
●Get specific parameters such as MAC address, channel, FEC, MAC retries, and so on,
for each sensor node
●Get sensor data for each sensor including temperature, acceleration, buttons, LEDs
●Start & Stop packet and message transmissions, and ranging, between sensor nodes
●Set on-board LED status for each sensor node

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3 TN100 sensor board
The TN100 sensor board includes the TN100 high performance chirp spread spectrum
transceiver enabling location awareness using an STM32F103 Cortex™-M3 32-bit
microcontroller. It provides the following features:
●Sensors
– Temperature meter (U2)- STLM20 (analog)
– 3-axis accelerometer (U3) - LIS302DL (digital)
– Potentiometer (R10) (analog)
●RS-232 communication interface, DB9 D-sub connector
●Two 14-pin header connectors (CN2, CN3) for connecting different hooks on
extensions
●Power supply options: + 5 V from JTAG (J-Link), USB + 5 V VBUS, NiMH batteries.
On-board step-up converter and linear regulator (+ 2.5 V)
●One reset (S1) and three general-purpose buttons (S2 to S4)
●Four general-purpose LEDs (LD1 to LD4), TX/RX activity LED (LD5), power supply
LED (LD6)
●Many configuration options for sensors and peripherals
●20-pin JTAG connector (CN1) for debug purposes
Figure 4. TN100 sensor board block diagram
MEMS
14 pin headerRS-232
nanoLOC
TN100 module
with STM32
microcontroller
JTAG
Step-up
and
LDO
2.5 V
Buttons LEDs
14 pin header
USB Slide
switches
AM00269
Batteries
Barometer Potentiometer
Temperature
sensor
Reset
button
Ext.
antenna

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3.1 Description of connectors
3.1.1 JTAG connector (CN1)
The 20-pin connector (CN1) provides the JTAG interface as shown in Figure 5. This
interface is primarily used for communicating with a PC using a suitable converter box such
as J-Link from IAR Systems™. There exists a wide choice of development tools on the
market supporting microcontroller Flash memory programming and application debugging.
Using the J-Link DBGACK pin, an external + 5 V power supply can be delivered to the board
as an optional supply voltage. (Verify which J-Link revision supports this feature at
http://www.segger.com).
Figure 5. JTAG connector pinout
3.1.2 Extension connector (CN2)
The 14-pin extension connector CN2 can be used together with the CN3 connector to
connect an extension. The CN2 to CN3 pitch distance is 2.54 mm so it makes it possible to
connect a standardized bread board or other extension.
Figure 6. Extension connector (CN2) pinout
Table 2. JTAG connector (CN1) pin description
Pin Signal Pin Signal Pin Signal Pin Signal
12.5VDC 6GND 11
JRTCK, connected to
GND by R10 (10 kΩ)16 GND
2 2.5 V DC 7 JTMS 12 GND 17 DBGRQ connected to
GND by R (10 kΩ)
3 JTRST 8 GND 13 JTDO 18 GND
4 GND 9 JTCK 14 GND 19
DBGACK connected to
GND by R (10kΩ), used
also as an external +5 V
power supply
5 JTDI 10 GND 15 NRST 20 GND
1
2
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46810
11 13 15 17 19
12 14 16 18 20
AM00262
1
2
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46810
11 13
12 14
AM00263

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3.1.3 Extension connector (CN3)
The 14-pin extension connector CN3 can be used together with the CN2 connector to
connect an extension. The CN2 to CN3 pitch distance is 2.54 mm so it makes it possible to
connect a standardized bread board or other extension.
Figure 7. Extension connector (CN3) pinout
3.1.4 USB connector (CN4)
The board includes a mini USB AB SMT connector. The communication lines are not used
with the TN100 board. The VBUS + 5 V voltage (pin 1) can be used as an alternative board
power supply.
Figure 8. USB connector (CN4) pinout
Table 3. Extension connector (CN2) pin description
Pin STM32 pin Pin STM32 pin Pin STM32 pin
1GND 6 PB8 11PA2
2 2.5 V DC 7 PB9 12 PA3
3 PB5 8 PC13 13 NC
4 PB6 9 PA0 14 NC
5 PB7 10 PA1
Table 4. Extension connector (CN3) pin description
Pin STM32 pin Pin STM32 pin Pin STM32 pin
1 GND 6 PB12 11 PA9
2 2.5 V DC 7 PB13 12 PA10
3 PB2 8 PB14 13 PA11
4 PB10 9 PB15 14 PA12
5PB11 10PA8
1
2
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11 13
12 14
AM00263
AM00265
15