Texas Instruments CC2538 User manual

SWRU363
February 2014
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CC2538-CC2592 Evaluation Module Kit Quick Start Guide
Opening the Box and Running the Packet Error Rate Test
1. Kit Contents
2 x CC2538-CC2592 Evaluation Modules
The RF boards in this kit are FCC and IC certified and
tested/comply with ETSI/R&TTE over temperature from 0
to 35°C.
FCC/IC Regulatory Compliance
FCC Part 15 Class A Compliant
IC ICES-003 Class A Compliant
2. How to use the Modules
The EMK is an add-on kit to supplement the
CC2538DK with evaluation boards.
The CC2538-CC2592EM boards can be plugged
into the SmartRF06 Evaluation Board from Texas
Instruments. This board is included in the
CC2538DK and in the SmartRF06EBK.
This board lets you run a packet error rate (PER)
test, control the device from SmartRF™ Studio and
it can be used as a development platform.
It is also possible to connect the EM to other TI
development boards with the appropriate
connectors
This guide will show how to use the modules
together with SmartRF06EB.
3. CC2538-CC2592EM Overview
4. Plug the EM into the 06EB
Insert a CC2538-CC2592EM board into the
SmartRF06EB as shown above.
Note! On the CC2538-CC2592EM, make sure
you connect a jumper on the upper row on
the 4-pin header.
Caution! The kit contains ESD
sensitive components. Handle with
care to prevent permanent damage.
5. Power Options
The CC2538-CC2592EM should be powered
through the SmartRF06EB, which will supply a
voltage from 2.1V to 3.6V to the daughter card.
The SmartRF06EB can be powered in several
different ways:
USB (5V through USB plug)
2 x 1.5V AAA alkaline batteries
External power supply (see below)
Voltage regulators on the SmartRF06EB will set
the on-board voltage to 2.1V or 3.3V.
External Regulated Power Supply1Requirements:
Nom Voltage: 2.1 to 3.3 VDC. MAX 3.6 VDC.
Max Current: 1000 mA
Efficiency Level V
Warning! To minimize risk of injury or property
damage, never use rechargeable batteries to
power the board.
6. Select Power Source
The power source is selected using the Source
switch on the left hand side of the SmartRF06EB.
In “USB” position, the EM is powered over USB,
running at 3.3V. In “BAT” position, the board is
powered from batteries or an external source,
running at 2.1V. The 2.1V regulator can be
bypassed by shorting the pins on the “regulator
bypass” jumper. In this case, the EM is powered
directly from the external source or batteries.
Note that there should only be one active
power source at any one time. Do not leave the
EVM powered when unattended.
7. Welcome Screen
Turn on power with the Main Power switch.
You should now see the Texas Instruments
logo and a short description of the buttons on
the LCD. Pushing any of the five buttons on the
board will take you to the main menu.
NB! If you don’t see anything on the screen
make sure the board is correctly powered
(see step 5 and 6 above).
8. Select Board and Channel
Start by selecting the plug-in board you have,
either the CC2538EM or the combo board
CC2538-CC2591EM.
Then select which channel (frequency) to use.
9. Select Mode
One of the boards must operate as a transmitter
and the other as a receiver. Select transmitter on
one board …
… and receiver on the other board.
1
When using an external power supply, make sure it meets the listed requirements in addition to complying with applicable regional product regulatory and safety certification requirements such as
UL, CSA, VDE, CCC, and PSE.
Power Select Jumper
1-2: Vdd from EB
1-3: Vdd from USB
Micro USB
connector for
testing USB on
CC2538
Emulator
LEDs
USB 5V to
3.3V LDO
10-pin
ARM Debug
Connector
20-pin
ARM-JTAG
Connector
PCB Antenna
SMA connector for
conducted RF testing
(not enabled by default)
CC2538
CC2592
(under shield)
Jumper
Caution! Due to
potential high
output power from
the device, please
keep a distance of
at least 20 cm
between the user
and the antenna.

10. Select RX Gain Mode
On the receiver, select either high gain or low
gain mode for the CC2592.
The receiver is now ready to receive packets.
Continue with the configuration of the transmitter.
11. Select TX Power
On the transmitter, select desired output power.
12. Select Packet Rate
Still on the transmitter, select the desired burst
size, that is, the number of packets to transmit.
Then select the packet rate.
13. Start Sending Packets
The transmitter is now configured and in idle
state. Sending packets is started and stopped by
pressing the Select button.
14. PER Test Results
On the receiver, the statistics window will show
the error rate based on the number of lost or
erroneous packets divided by the total number of
packets that should have been received.
15. References
Please visit www.ti.com and
http://www.ti.com/tool/cc2538-cc2592emk
http://www.ti.com/tool/cc2538dk
The reference design for the evaluation board
can be found here:
http://www.ti.com/tool/cc2538-cc2592em-rd
On the kit product page, you will find additional
documentation, links to updated software
examples and software tools like SmartRF
Studio.
You will also find a lot of information on the TI
E2E forum at http://e2e.ti.com
We hope that you will enjoy working with the
CC2592 and CC2538 devices.
16. Troubleshooting
It you are experiencing problems with this test,
please check the following:
Nothing is shown in the display! Make sure
the board is powered correctly (see steps 5
and 6 above).
Please visit the kit web page and check for
updated SW and documentation. Updated
SW can be downloaded to the device using
IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM or
SmartRF Flash Programmer 2.
SmartRF™Studio
1. Download and Install
Before connecting SmartRF06EB to your PC,
download and install SmartRF Studio from
www.ti.com/smartrfstudio.
2. Launch SmartRF Studio
After installing the tool, connect the EB to the PC
using the USB cable and start SmartRF Studio.
Select the “2.4 GHz” tab and click the refresh
("Find device") button in the lower right corner.
Studio will now find the connected SmartRF06EB.
Double click on the detected SmartRF06EB to
launch the CC2538 device control panel.
3. Test the Radio
In the device control panel for CC2538, select the
range extender CC2592.
You can now configure the radio, run
performance tests, export register settings and
run link tests with another CC2538 on a
SmartRF06EB connected to the PC.

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