Texas Instruments TRF7970A BoosterPack User manual

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NFCLink Standalone Getting Started
Getting Started Guide
SLOU452–December 2016
NFCLink Standalone Getting Started
This guide assists users in the initial firmware setup and demonstration of Peer-to-Peer mode,
Reader/Writer mode, and Card Emulation mode of the TRF7970A BoosterPack™ plug-in module with an
MSP430F5529 LaunchPad™ development kit. The guide explains how to flash the example firmware that
is provided by TI. Additionally, it describes how to implement the different modes with the NFCLink
Standalone GUI.

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Contents
1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3
2 Getting Started............................................................................................................... 3
3 TI NFC Tool GUI ........................................................................................................... 12
4 Summary .................................................................................................................... 22
List of Figures
1 UniFlash Installation......................................................................................................... 4
2 Selecting .out File in UniFlash ............................................................................................. 5
3 Code Composer Studio™ IDE Installation ............................................................................... 6
4 CCS Import Project Window ............................................................................................... 7
5 Device Manager With LaunchPad™ Development Kit Shown as an Other Device ................................ 8
6 Update Driver Software Using Device Manager......................................................................... 9
7 Browse Computer for Driver Software................................................................................... 10
8 Location Of CDC Driver in Installed Firmware Package.............................................................. 11
9 TI NFC Tool Auto Connect................................................................................................ 12
10 TI NFC Tool Manual Connect ............................................................................................ 12
11 Antenna Location on DLP-7970ABP..................................................................................... 13
12 Phone Correct and Incorrect Presentation to BoosterPack™ Plug-in Module..................................... 14
13 Tag Correct and Incorrect Presentation to BoosterPack™ Plug-in Module ........................................ 15
14 BoosterPack™ Plug-in Module Correct and Incorrect Presentation to BoosterPack™ Plug-in Module........ 15
15 NFC Configuration Tab – P2P Configuration........................................................................... 16
16 Peer-to-Peer Tab........................................................................................................... 17
17 NFC Configuration Tab – RW Configuration ........................................................................... 18
18 Reader/Writer Mode Tab.................................................................................................. 19
19 NFC Configuration Tab – CE Configuration ............................................................................ 20
20 Card Emulation Tab........................................................................................................ 21
21 Advanced COM Tab ....................................................................................................... 21
Trademarks
BoosterPack, LaunchPad, Code Composer Studio, MSP430 are trademarks of Texas Instruments.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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1 Introduction
This guide has two main objectives: It describes how to download the NFCLink Standalone example code
to an MSP-EXP430F5529LP, and it also describes how to use the TI NFC Tool GUI. The example code
and GUI can be downloaded from http://www.ti.com/lit/zip/sloa227. This guide describes how to install and
use two different flash programming options: Code Composer Studio™ IDE and UniFlash. The guide also
describes how to use the TI NFC Tool GUI to interact with NFC tags and NFC enabled devices.
1.1 Prerequisites
The user should have the following items:
• DLP-7970ABP
• MSP-EXP430F5529LP
• An NFC tag or NFC enabled device
• A computer running Microsoft® Windows® 7 or XP operating systems
2 Getting Started
This section describes the required software and hardware setup for the DLP-7970ABP BoosterPack plug-
in module and the MSP-EXP4305529LP LaunchPad development kit with the NFCLink Standalone
example firmware.
2.1 Download and Install Software
Download the NFCLink Standalone GUI and example code from http://www.ti.com/lit/zip/sloa227.
Install the software package following the default options.
2.2 Hardware Setup
Attach the DLP-7970ABP to the MSP-EXP430F5529LP so that pin 1 of the BoosterPack plug-in module is
aligned with the 3.3V pin of the LaunchPad development kit. Then connect the MSP-EXP430F5529LP to
the PC using the provided USB cable.
2.3 Flash the Firmware
The NFCLink Standalone firmware requires either UniFlash or Code Composer Studio IDE (CCS) v6.1.1
or newer to download code to the LaunchPad development kit. If you have only the CCS free license, use
UniFlash to download the example code. This is due to the maximum download capacity of CCS under
the free license.

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2.3.1 Option 1: UniFlash
2.3.1.1 Download and Install
Download and run the UniFlash installation wizard (version 3.4 or newer) from
http://www.ti.com/tool/uniflash. Use the default settings until the Select Components selection (see
Figure 1). The default option is install all components, but the minimum requirement is only to install the
MSP430 Ultra Low Power component under Microcontrollers. Choose which components to install based
on preferred disk usage. The installation of additional debug probes is optional. Follow the remaining
installation instructions in the wizard to complete the installation process.
Figure 1. UniFlash Installation

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2.3.1.2 Import and Configure Project
To use Uniflash to flash the NFCLink Standalone firmware to the MSP-EXP430F5529LP:
1. Open UniFlash.
2. Go to File →New Configuration.
3. Connection →MSP430 USB1 and Board or Device →MSP430F5529. Click Ok.
4. When connected, click Program →Load Program.
5. Select Browse and find the configuration file at [Installed Path]\examples\boards\MSP-
EXP430F5529LP\F5529LP_TRF7970A_ALL_NFC_MODES\Debug and select the
F5529LP_TRF7970A_ALL_NFC_MODES.out file (see Figure 2).
6. Click OK. The firmware should automatically begin to load into flash memory on the MSP-
EXP4305529LP.
7. After the firmware is loaded, cycle the power to the LaunchPad development kit by unplugging the
USB cable and then plugging it back in.
Figure 2. Selecting .out File in UniFlash

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2.3.2 Option 2: Code Composer Studio™ IDE (CCS)
2.3.2.1 Download and Install
Download and run the Code Composer Studio IDE version 6.1.1 or newer (CCS) installation wizard from
http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/Download_CCS. Online and offline installation options are
available. If any issues occur with the online installer, then try the offiline installer instead. Use the default
installation options up until Processor Support (see Figure 3). The minimum requirement is to select only
MSP Ultra Low Power MCUs for processor support. Additional processor support can be added based on
preferred disk usage. Follow the remaining installation instructions in the wizard to complete the
installation process.
Figure 3. Code Composer Studio™ IDE Installation
2.3.2.2 Import and Configure Project
To use Code Composer Studio IDE version 6.1.1 to flash the NFCLink Standalone firmware to the MSP-
EXP430F5529LP, follow these steps:
1. Open Code Composer Studio IDE.
2. Go to Project →Import CCS Projects…
3. Click Browse and select the directory: [Installed Path]\examples\boards\MSP-
EXP430F5529LP\F5529LP_TRF7970A_ALL_NFC_MODES.
4. Import the F5529LP_TRF7970A_ALL_NFC_MODES project (see Figure 4).
5. Select the imported project in the Project Explorer window and then click the debug icon to build
the project and download the example firmware to the device.
6. Click the terminate button in the debugging window.
7. Cycle the power to the LaunchPad development kit by unplugging the USB cable and then plugging it
back in.
8. The firmware on the LaunchPad development kit now operates in stand-alone mode and reads
NFC/RFID tags by default.

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9. If the CDC driver for the LaunchPad development kit is installed on the host PC, then the LaunchPad
development kit is ready to connect to the TI NFC Tool GUI. See Section 2.4 for details on how to
determine if the CDC driver is installed.
Figure 4. CCS Import Project Window

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2.4 Install the MSP430™ CDC Driver
To determine if the CDC driver for the MSP-EXP430F5529LP is installed, run Device Manager on the PC
after the firmware example has been flashed to the LaunchPad development kit. For Windows users, this
can be done by going to Control Panel →Device Manager →Other Devices.
It is mandatory that the firmware be flashed on the MSP-EXP430F5529LP first. This is because it is the
firmware example that attempts to enumerate the CDC port to the COM port list, and there is no way to
tell if the CDC driver is installed or not unless the firmware attempts that CDC port enumeration.
If the MSP430 LaunchPad development kit appears as an Other or Unknown device with a caution symbol
(see Figure 5), then the CDC driver is not installed.
Figure 5. Device Manager With LaunchPad™ Development Kit Shown as an Other Device

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1. To install the CDC driver, right click the MSP430 device and select Update Driver Software… (see
Figure 6).
Figure 6. Update Driver Software Using Device Manager

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2. Select Browse my computer for driver software option (see Figure 7).
Figure 7. Browse Computer for Driver Software

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3. Browse to the driver software, which is located at [Installed Path]\usblib\USB_config (see Figure 8).
Figure 8. Location Of CDC Driver in Installed Firmware Package
4. After selecting the USB_config folder, click OK and then click Next.
5. There is a warning regarding the driver signature. Click continue to finishing installing the driver.
6. Now the CDC driver should be installed and the LaunchPad development kit can be connected to the
TI NFC Tool GUI.
2.5 Change Jumper for Older DLP-7970ABP BoosterPack Plug-in Modules
If you are using a BoosterPack plug-in module version 4.4 or older, the IRQ jumper may need to be
changed. See DLP-7970ABP Hardware Update Overview for more information.

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3 TI NFC Tool GUI
This section describes the TI NFC Tool GUI, which gives users the ability to configure the NFCLink
Standalone firmware to communicate with NFC enabled devices using different modes and protocols. This
guide describes use of version 1.8 of the TI NFC Tool. The TI NFC Tool GUI can be opened from the
Start Menu under Programs →Texas Instruments →NFC Reader-Writer Application. Alternatively, it can
be found in the file system at [Install Path]\tools\TI NFC Tool\TI NFC Tool\bin\Debug.
3.1 How to Connect
3.1.1 Auto Connect
The Auto Connect section is located at the top left of the GUI (see Figure 9). Use the Hardware Selection
drop-down menu to select the appropriate hardware platform and click the Auto Connect button. If the
selected hardware platform is connected and has the correct firmware loaded, then the connection is
successful and the status bar at the bottom left turns green: . Otherwise, an error
message is displayed. If this occurs, attempt to use Manual Connect instead.
Figure 9. TI NFC Tool Auto Connect
3.1.2 Manual Connect
If an error message appears using Auto Connect, manually select the COM port. To manually connect the
LaunchPad development kit to the GUI, use the COM Port drop-down menu located at the top right (see
Figure 10). It displays the COM ports available for connection. If there are multiple USB devices
connected to the PC, the Advanced COM tab can be used to determine the correct COM port for the
LaunchPad development kit. Select the desired COM port and click Manual Connect. If an incorrect COM
port is selected, an error message is displayed.
Figure 10. TI NFC Tool Manual Connect

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3.2 Proper Interaction of NFC Devices With the DLP-7970ABP BoosterPack Plug-in
Module
Due to the short range of NFC technology, correct presentation of the BoosterPack plug-in module and
any NFC enabled device is required for proper NFC operation to occur. This is done by aligning the NFC
antennas of each device so they are coupled correctly. This section contains figures that show correct and
incorrect presentations to an NFC BoosterPack plug-in module using an NFC-enabled smartphone, an
NFC/RFID tag, and another NFC BoosterPack plug-in module. Throughout this document, any comments
referring to present or presenting an NFC device or tag to the BoosterPack plug-in module refers to the
following information.
The antenna of the BoosterPack plug-in module is located above the IC circuitry and is indicated by the
traces etched into the PCB, which is the antenna coil (see Figure 11). The IC package that is labeled DLP
Design is not an antenna and cannot be used for NFC communication.
Figure 11. Antenna Location on DLP-7970ABP

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Figure 12 shows correct and incorrect presentation of a NFC enabled phone to the BoosterPack plug-in
module. The antennas on NFC enabled phones vary based on phone model. Typically, a good point of
reference is near the phone battery for most models. Most Android phones need to be unlocked for NFC
communication to occur. By default, NFC-enabled phones do not enable NDEF card emulation.
Figure 12. Phone Correct and Incorrect Presentation to BoosterPack™ Plug-in Module

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Figure 13 shows the proper presentation of a tag to the BoosterPack plug-in module. Similar to the NFC
enabled phone, robust communication does not occur when the tag is presented to the IC circuit. Also, if
the tag is presented beneath the LaunchPad development kit, it is on the edge of the NFC communication
range of the BoosterPack plug-in module, and the LaunchPad development kit ground plane shields the
NFC communication.
Figure 13. Tag Correct and Incorrect Presentation to BoosterPack™ Plug-in Module
Figure 14 shows the correct and incorrect presentation of two BoosterPack plug-in modules. When two
BoosterPack plug-in modules are used, the antennas on the BoosterPack plug-in modules should be
aligned on top of each other. The antennas have weaker coupling when placed side-by-side horizontally
or vertically.
Figure 14. BoosterPack™ Plug-in Module Correct and Incorrect Presentation to BoosterPack™ Plug-in
Module

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3.3 NFC Operation Modes
Near Field Communication (NFC) offers three different modes of operation: Peer-to-Peer (P2P),
Reader/Writer (RW), and Card Emulation (CE). This section discusses operation of each mode with the
NFCLink Standalone GUI. For more information on NFC, visit www.ti.com/NFC.
3.3.1 Peer-to-Peer Mode
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) mode allows two NFC-enabled devices to communicate bidirectionally where both
devices are able to initiate communication as needed.
Common use cases for P2P include sharing content from device to device, firmware updates, and pairing
applications.
For detailed information about how Peer-to-Peer communication operates with the TRF7970A, see NFC
Active and Passive Peer-to-Peer Communication Using the TRF7970A.
3.3.1.1 NFC Configuration Tab
The Target Mode(s) and Initiator Mode(s) allow the user to select multiple modes that determine if the
TRF7970A acts as a target or an initiator and if passive or active communication is used (see Figure 15).
After selecting which modes to enable, click Start P2P. The NFC enabled devices poll or listen based on
the selected P2P modes.
Figure 15. NFC Configuration Tab – P2P Configuration
3.3.1.2 Peer-to-Peer-Tab
When Peer-to-Peer mode is enabled and a connection is established between the TRF7970A and an NFC
device that is presented, the Peer-to-Peer tab automatically opens (see Figure 16). The P2P Status pane
includes information about the current mode, bitrate, technology, bytes received since the P2P
communication started, and the RSSI value. The Receive pane displays P2P messages received by the
TRF7970A.
When NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) messages are received, the GUI attempts to parse the data
and display it in ASCII. Text and URI Record Type Definitions (RTDs) are automatically parsed. Other
NDEF messages are displayed as an unknown RTD. Any non-NDEF formatted messages is shown in the
pane as raw data. Any NDEF messages received can also be found inside the NDEF.hex file located at
[Install Path] \tools\TI NFC Tool\TI NFC Tool\bin\Debug.
Most NFC enabled smartphone apps use the NDEF message format to exchange information over P2P
communication such as text messages and URLs.

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The Transmit pane supports sending out Text RTDs or URI RTDs from the TRF7970A to the connected
NFC device. The GUI limits the message length to 246 bytes.
When the NFC device is removed, then the Peer-to-Peer tab automatically switches back to the NFC
Configuration tab.
Figure 16. Peer-to-Peer Tab
3.3.2 Reader/Writer Mode
Reader/Writer mode allows an NFC enabled device to read data from and write data to various NFC and
RFID tags, transponders, and contactless smartcards. Supported standard tag types are:
• NFC Forum Type 2 Tags (T2T)/ISO14443A
• NFC Forum Type 3 Tags (T3T)/FeliCa
• NFC Forum Type 4A Tags (T4TA)/ISO14443A
• NFC Forum Type 4B Tags (T4TB)/ISO14443B
• NFC Forum Type V Tags (T5T)/ISO15693
Common use cases for Reader/Writer mode include access control, product authentication, and pairing
applications.
For detailed information about how Reader/Writer mode operates with the TRF7970A, see NFC/HF RFID
Reader/Writer Using the TRF7970A.

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3.3.2.1 NFC Configuration Tab
Use the check boxes in the Reader/Writer section to choose which technologies to enable for the
TRF7970A and then click the Start RW button (see Figure 17). Only one NFC/RFID tag should be
presented to the RF field at a time when using Reader/Writer mode.
Figure 17. NFC Configuration Tab – RW Configuration
3.3.2.2 Reader/Writer Mode Tab
When Reader/Writer mode is enabled and a supported NFC tag is presented, the Reader/Writer tab
automatically opens (see Figure 18). The RW Status pane includes information about the tag type being
read, bitrate of the communication, NFC technology, RSSI value, and Unique Identifier (UID) of the tag.
The Tag Content pane displays the contents of a tag that has been read when applicable. If an NDEF
message is stored inside the tag, the GUI attempts to parse the message and display it in ASCII. Text and
URI RTDs are automatically parsed. Other NDEF messages are displayed as an unknown RTD. If the tag
is not NDEF formatted, then the pane displays all raw data read from the tag. Any NDEF messages
received can also be found inside the NDEF.hex file located at: [Install Path]\tools\TI NFC Tool\TI NFC
Tool\bin\Debug
The Tag Write pane can be used to write a custom Text RTD or URI RTD to a presented tag by pressing
the WRITE button. The Tag Content screen displays a message to indicate whether or not the write was
successful. The GUI limits the message length to 246 bytes. It also can be used to format T5T tags for
NDEF messages with the FORMAT button.
When the tag is removed, then the Reader/Writer tab automatically switches back to the NFC
Configuration tab.

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Figure 18. Reader/Writer Mode Tab
3.3.3 Card Emulation Mode
Card Emulation mode allows NFC transceivers to emulate and behave as an NFC transponder/tag, which
can be read by other NFC enabled Reader/Writer devices.
Common use cases for Card Emulation mode include access control, pairing applications, and
authentication applications.
For detailed information about how Card Emulation mode operates with the TRF7970A, see NFC Card
Emulation Using the TRF7970A.

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3.3.3.1 NFC Configuration Tab
To change between the different CE modes, use the checkboxes to select the desired modes and then
click on Start CE (see Figure 19). Card Emulation A emulates a Type 4A Tag (ISO/IEC 14443A tag) and
Card Emulation B emulates a Type 4B Tag (ISO/IEC 14443B tag).
Figure 19. NFC Configuration Tab – CE Configuration
3.3.3.2 Card Emulation Tab
When Card Emulation mode is enabled and an NFC device capable of reading the emulated tag is
presented, the Card Emulation tab automatically opens (see Figure 20). The CE Status pane includes
information about the tag type being emulated, the bitrate of the communication, which NFC technology is
being used, the RSSI value, and the emulated Unique Identifier (UID).
The Received Read/Write Cmds pane displays each command being sent to the TRF7970A by the NFC
device. Read and Write commands are both displayed along with details about which files are being read
and how many bytes are read from them.
The Emulated Content pane can be used to emulate a custom message that can be either a Text RTD or
URI RTD. The message length is limited to 248 bytes in the GUI.
When the NFC device is removed, then the Card Emulation tab automatically switches back to the NFC
Configuration tab.