Texas Instruments MSP-US-TRF6901 User manual

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MSP-US/EU-TRF6901 EVM Quick Start Guide
Written By: Juan Alvarez
Oct - 02

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Table of Content
• Introduction (pg. 3)
• Using the EVM as:
– a link demonstration tool (pg. 4)
– a code development tool (pg. 7)
– an RF/device level evaluation tool (pg. 9)
• Additional documentation (pg. 11)
• Choosing an antenna (pg. 12)

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Introduction
• The EVM kit used for the TRF6901 transceiver has multiple uses depending on what
you want to achieve. It can be used for link demonstration,code development,or
stand-alone RF evaluation.
–Link demonstration. 2 EVM kits can be used together to demonstrate a bi-directional half-
duplex link using 2 PCs (so called “system mode’) Starts on page 4.
–Code development. The EVM kit can be used in conjunction with the MSP430 development
tool and 1 PC to develop and implement code. Starts on page 7.
–RF evaluation. 1 EVM kit using 1 PC and RF test equipment can be used to evaluate the
TRF6901 with the objective of looking at the RF reception and transmission. Starts on page
9.
• The EVM kit is offered in 2 versions:
–MSP-US-TRF6901. MSP430 pre-programmed with the European ISM band
–MSP-EU-TRF6901. MSP430 pre-programmed with the US ISM band
•The OBJECTIVE of this document is to get you started using the EVM
kit. Other documentation provided more detailed information of how
to use this tool. To download the EVM kit User’s guide, go to:
– Europe version:
http://focus.ti.com/docs/apps/catalog/resources/appnoteabstract.jhtml?abstractName=swru006a
– US version:
http://focus.ti.com/docs/apps/catalog/resources/appnoteabstract.jhtml?abstractName=swru005a

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Link demonstration
•This section describes the steps required to set up a quick demonstration that
will enable you to send text from one PC to another PC using a wireless link at
32 kbps.
•Hardware required:
–2 MSP-US-TRF6901 (or MSP-EU-TRF6901) EVM kits
–4 antennas (See pg. 13 for how to choose an antenna)
–2 PCs each equipped with 1 serial port
–2 Power Supplies
•Setup Hardware:
–Setup the 2 PCs wherever you want to demonstrate the RF link.
–Assemble each ‘station’ according to the figure on page 5
–Review proper hardware and jumper setups in the EVM User’s Guide section 6.2.2.
•Setup Software:
–Download the file TRF6900 Demo_1_16.exe from the CD provided with the EVM kit
located under the following directory:
\MS-RF Chipset\Tools_Software\Setup_TRF6900 demo 1_16_Master
–Install the software on each PC. See a snap-shot on page 6
•Establish a bi-directional link:
–See page 6 to start-up the software
–See section 7.7.5 of the EVM User’s guide for more information on how to run the
software

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MSP430 board (included in the kit)
TRF6901 board
(included in the kit)
4” antenna
(not included in the kit)
1. Plug the MSP430 board into the TRF6901 board using interface ‘A’ (per the illustration)
2. Screw the pair of antennas to the Rx and Tx ports to the SMA connectors
3. Connect the serial port cable to the EVM and the PC
4. Connect a 6 to 8 V power supply to the Vcc and Gnd pins
5. Repeat the same procedure for the other EVM setup
Interface ‘A’
Vcc
Gnd
Parallel
Port
Serial
Port
Demonstration setup for each ‘station’

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Link demonstration software start-up screen
Press the ‘Connect
to serial port’
button to start the
demo after
connecting the
EVM to the PC
using the serial
port
Make sure that you choose the
correct serial port
1
2

7
Code development
•This section describes the steps required to use the EVM as a code
development tool and program the MSP430 uC.
•Hardware required:
–1 MSP-US-TRF6901 (or MSP-EU-TRF6901) EVM kit
–1 PC equipped with 1 serial port
–1 Power Supply
–1 MSP-FET430P140
•Setup Hardware:
–Assemble the ‘station’ according to the figure on page 5
–Plug the ‘station’ into the MSP-FET430P140 using the JTEG interface connector
provided on the EVM board (see page 8)
•Setup Software:
–Download the MSP430 FET (Flash Emulation Tool) called ‘kickstart’ at
http://focus.ti.com/docs/tool/toolfolder.jhtml?PartNumber=MSP430FREETOOLS
–PLEASE KEEP IN MIND that to test your hardware you will need at least 2 stations to
achieve a bi-directional link
•DevelopcodefortheMSP430
–Develop code + FLASH the MSP430 according to the User manual included with the
‘kickstart’ tool set

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JTEG interface
MSP-US/EU-TRF6901 MSP430 JTEG interface

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RF Evaluation
•This section describes the steps required to evaluate the TRF6901 device on a
stand-alone .
•Hardware required:
–1 MSP-US-TRF6901 (or MSP-EU-TRF6901) EVM kit
–1 PCs equipped with 1 parallel port
–1 Spectrum Analyzer
–1 Signal generator (or another EVM)
–1 Oscilloscope
–1 Power Supply
•Setup Hardware:
–Configure the EVM kit according to the figure on page 5
–Assemble the test setup (more information on page 10)
–Review proper hardware and jumper setups in the EVM User’s Guide section 2.8.1.
•Setup Software:
–Download the software from the internet at
http://www-s.ti.com/sc/techzip/slwc026.zip
–Install the software on the PC. Check out 2 screen snap-shots on page 11
–More information available on how to install and run the software on the EVM User’s
Guide section 3

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RF Evaluation Board Setup (Tx and Rx)
Parallel
Port
Vcc
GND
Tx RF
Port
Rx RF
Port
1. Connect the parallel port between the EVM and the PC
2. Connect a 6 to 8 V power supply to the Vcc and Gnd pins
3. Determine what kind of evaluation you want to work on:
•Testing of the transmitter. A spectrum analyzer and pulse generator (for external modulation
input) are required (connected to the Tx RF port). For more details go to section 3.7 of the EVM
User’s Guide.
•Testing of the receiver. A spectrum analyzer, pulse generator, external modulation input signal
generator or another EVM (connected to the Rx RF port), and oscilloscope are required. For
more details go to section 3.8 of the EVM User’s guide