Texas Instruments TRF4903 User manual

User's GuideSWRU010A – October 2004 – Revised May 2005
TRF4903 With MSP430 Demonstration and Development
Evaluation Kit
This document presents the contents of the TRF4903 demonstration and developmenttool kit. The user manual provides information on how to operate theMSP-TRF4903-DEMO kit and describes its hardware and software. Users shouldunderstand the MSP430F449, TRF6903, and the TRF4903 to obtain the full benefit ofthis user manual.
Different topics covered in this manual may require different levels of expertise. Thefirst two chapters are focused on how the kit operates.
If you want to build your own prototype, review the third chapter on how to loadfirmware. The later chapters cover hardware and software topics that may require someadditional expertise.
Other related Texas Instruments information includes the following that may be helpful:
TRF4903 data sheet SWRS023TRF6903 data sheet SWRS022MSP430F449 data sheet SLAS344TRF6903 Design Guide SWRU009TRF6901 FAQ SLAD008For design and product information related to the TRF6903, MSP430, and similar products,go to:
http://www.ti.com/ismrf
http://www.msp430.com
PDF documents and zip files may be located on Texas Instruments’ website by typing in theliterature number in the Search text box; for example, typing in SWRS022 will locate theTRF6903 data sheet.
Contents1 TRF4903 Demonstration and Evaluation Kit Overview ................................................................. 22 Demonstrating a Wireless Link............................................................................................. 23 Prototyping .................................................................................................................... 74 PCB Hardware Overview ................................................................................................... 95 Software Overview ......................................................................................................... 146 SCHEMATICS .............................................................................................................. 22
List of Figures
1 Top-Side, Back-Side of the TRF4903 Demonstration Board .......................................................... 42 JTAG Connector ............................................................................................................. 83 TRF4903 RF Block Diagram ............................................................................................... 9
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1 TRF4903 Demonstration and Evaluation Kit Overview
1.1 Description
1.2 Contents
1.3 Equipment Requirement
2 Demonstrating a Wireless Link
TRF4903 Demonstration and Evaluation Kit Overview
4 Block Diagram of the MSP430F44x ..................................................................................... 105 Top-Side Silk Screen ...................................................................................................... 106 Bottom-Side Silk Screen .................................................................................................. 117 JP1 Pin-Out Configuration ................................................................................................ 138 Game Application FLow Chart – Transmit Mode ...................................................................... 159 Game Application FLow Chart – Receive Mode ....................................................................... 1610 Communication Protocol .................................................................................................. 1711 TRF4903 Graphical User Interface for RF Evaluation ................................................................. 2112 Schematic (Page 1) ........................................................................................................ 2213 Schematic (Page 2) ........................................................................................................ 2314 Schematic (Page 3) ........................................................................................................ 24
List of Tables
1 4-Bit DIP Switch (SW1) Settings and Transmit Frequencies .......................................................... 52 Bill of Materials ............................................................................................................. 113 Antenna Suppliers .......................................................................................................... 134 6-Byte Transmission Data Packet ........................................................................................ 185 TRF4903 Game Application Register Values .......................................................................... 18
This chapter provides an overview of the TRF4903 demonstration and development kit.
The MSP-TRF4903-DEMO kit is used to demonstrate a unidirectional radio frequency (RF) data linkwithout the need of an external computer, and for prototyping by downloading new software code to theMSP430F449 through the JTAG connector. This kit is used to evaluate the Texas Instruments TRF4903, asingle-chip multiband RF transmitter. The schematics and layout of the board can be used as a referencedesign if desired, limited by the software system parameters of the demonstration firmware.
The TRF4903 demonstration and development kit contains:•One TRF4903 demonstration board (transmitter)•One TRF6903 demonstration board (receiver)•User’s manual (this document)
Software is not included in the kit. Software and hardware documentation related to this kit can bedownloaded at http://www.ti.com/ismrf.
The following equipment is not included in this kit and is required to operate the MSP-TRF4903-DEMO kit:•Four AAA batteries•MSP430 bus expansion cable for the JTAG connector, required only for prototyping purposes.
This chapter explains how to operate the MSP-TRF4903-DEMO kit to demonstrate a RF bidirectional link.
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2.1 Board Description
Demonstrating a Wireless Link
The demo kit has two circuit boards. The first circuit board (unit) is the transmitter and consists of aTRF4903 RF transmitter and a MSP430F449 microcontroller. The second circuit board in the kit is areceiver and consists of a TRF6903 RF transceiver and a MSP430F449 microcontroller. The TRF6903board is capable of sending and receiving half-duplex wireless data on the European and NorthAmerican/US ISM bands. However, for demo purposes, the TRF6903 board is used as a receiver for theTRF4903 transmitter.
The microcontroller firmware is configured by default to use the 902-MHz to 928-MHz ISM frequencyband. Additional firmware has been developed to operate the TRF4903 demo kit in the European868-MHz ISM band.See the Operating the TRF4903 Demo Kit in the 868-MHz EU ISM Band applicationnote (SWRA047) for further information. The firmware for the 868-MHz EU band can be downloaded fromthe http://www.ti.com/ismrf website. Figure 1 shows top-side and back-side views of the transmit TRF4903circuit board.
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l m n
a b c-1 c-2 d
e
f
k j i h g
Demonstrating a Wireless Link
Figure 1. Top-Side, Back-Side of the TRF4903 Demonstration Board
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2.2 Operation
Demonstrating a Wireless LinkCircuit board features:
a On/Off switchb Battery holder for two AAA batteries in series (batteries not included).c-1, c-2 Headers used to access the MSP430F449 I/O ports.d TRF4903 RF transmittere Antenna jumper (0- Ωresistor) used to select either the SMA connector or PCBantenna (selecting both not recommended).f On-board PCB antenna (default configuration). The antenna has modest gain andradiates in the direction of the bend in the long arm.g SMA connector footprint for an external antenna or test equipment (SMA connectornot included).h Four-bit DIP switch used in the link demonstration mode to change the trans-mit/receive frequencies. The switch is connected to MSP430 I/O ports P3.0, P3.1,P3.2, and P3.3.i Four buttons used for the demonstration game application, connected to MSP430I/O ports P1.0 through P1.3.j RS-232C connectork JTAG connectorl TRF4903 I/O header used to monitor or control the TRF4903.m Zero- Ωresistor R42, remove to disable the MSP430F449 (or short reset to groundat JTAG connector).n MSP430F449 microcontroller
A simple game is implemented in the firmware to demonstrate unidirectional RF communication betweenthe TRF4903 transmit board and the TRF6903 configured in the receive mode. The user starts the gameby pushing any sequence of four colored buttons. The corresponding colored LED’s light up on the receiveboard in the same sequence.•Successful packet reception: The LED’s light up in same sequence as the transmit button sequence.•Communication error: NO LED’s illuminate on the receiving board if there was a communication error.
2.2.1 Preparing for Operation
Before operating the units as a demonstration, make sure that you have done the following:•Slide the on/off switch to ON•Place two AAA batteries on each demonstration board•Have the same 4-bit DIP switch (SW1) configuration on both boards
Table 1 shows the transmit and receive frequencies selected with the 4-bit DIP switch (SW1). Both circuitboards must have the same channel switch settings in order for the demonstration game to operatecorrectly.
Table 1. 4-Bit DIP Switch (SW1) Settings and Transmit Frequencies
1234 SW1 Setting TX Frequency (MHz) RX Frequency (MHz)(1=On, 0=Off) 4903 TX Board 6903 RX Board
0000 902.3988 891.6992
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Demonstrating a Wireless Link
Table 1. 4-Bit DIP Switch (SW1) Settings and Transmit Frequencies(continued)
1234 SW1 Setting TX Frequency (MHz) RX Frequency (MHz)(1=On, 0=Off) 4903 TX Board 6903 RX Board
0001 903.218 892.51840010 904.4468 893.74720011 905.266 894.56640100 906.0852 895.38560101 907.7236 897.0240110 909.362 898.66240111 910.1812 899.48161000 911.8196 901.121001 912.6388 901.93921010 913.458 902.75841011 914.2772 903.57761100 915.506 904.80641101 916.3252 905.62561110 917.554 906.85441111 918.3732 907.6736
2.2.2 Power Up
Slide the power switch to ON. The STANDBY, MODE, and LOCK DETECT LED’s blink to indicate powerup condition. After the power-up initialization, the TRF4903 based transmit unit goes into Standby Mode(IDLE_STATE) and Mode 0 and waits for a button press. This turns off all the LED’s.
Note:
The LOCK LED on the transmit board is connected to the multiplexed pin 16 of theTRF4903. Initially, the TRF4903 is programmed to obtain a lock detect signal on themultiplexed pin 16. This turns on the LOCK DETECT LED on the transmit board.
Once the TRF4903 is ready to transmit data, the multiplexed pin 16 isprogrammed for the DCLK mode and the recovered data clock at 38.4 kbps isoutput at terminal 16. This blinks the LOCK LED at 38.4 kbps. Once thetransmission is complete, the TRF4903 goes back to Standby (IDLE_STATE)and the LOCK LED is turned off again.
The TRF6903 based receive board goes into the receive mode to monitor for any transmit activity. TheRSSI indicator LED is lighted to indicate the signal strength in the frequency channel of operation. Redindicates the lowest signal strength and green indicates the highest.
2.2.3 Wireless Demonstration
Only the TRF4903 transmit board is configured to initiate wireless communication. Assume that Board A isthe transmit board and transmits the first four-button transmitted sequence and Board B receives thetransmission.
Use Board A to start the wireless demonstration by pressing the four colored buttons in any sequence withabout 1/2 second between successive buttons. Once the four buttons are pushed, Board A initiates thetransmission.
Once the transmission is received by Board B and if the response sequence matches, the LEDs areturned on in the same sequence as the buttons were pushed at the transmitter side.
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3 Prototyping
3.1 Connecting to the MSP430 JTAG
Prototyping
If there are errors due to poor or lost transmission, NO LED lights up on the Board B. This concludes thebasic demonstration of the one-way RF communication.
On completion, the transmit board waits for another button press and the receive board goes back toreceive mode to listen for a new button sequence.
2.2.4 RSSI Indicator
Since the TRF4903 is a transmitter, it does not have an RSSI feature. The TRF6903 receive board isequipped with a receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) that illustrates the signal strength on the receiver.Four levels are used to indicate signal strength. Red is the lowest and means no signal was received,while green indicates the highest level of signal strength. The RSSI shows transmission activity when theother board is transmitting a data stream on the same DIP switch configuration or when there is anotherexternal RF source broadcasting at that channel frequency. For the best results, the two boards should bein the same plane of orientation, with the bend in the long antenna arm pointed towards each other.
2.2.5 Error Conditions
Cycle the system power to reinitialize the hardware if you get error conditions that persist. Error conditionsare defined as lost communication, mismatch in response sequences, or response time outs. In somecases, antenna orientation, signal multipath, or another interfering signal can increase errors.
This chapter explains how to operate the MSP-TRF4903-DEMO kit to prototype new applications.
The MSP-TRF4903-DEMO is designed for rapid application development. The MSP430 MCU flashmemory can repeatedly be erased and reprogrammed. The on-chip emulation logic allows real-timedebugging and fast code development. The MSP-TRF4903-DEMO and the MSP430 flash emulation toolprovide everything that is required to develop an entire firmware project.
For information go to http://www.msp430.com
Connector J2 provides access to the JTAG port of the MSP430 microcontroller on theMSP-TRF4903-DEMO circuit board. The MSP-FET430 flash emulation tool (FET) interface boardMSP-FETP430IF (not included in this kit) connects to J2 and allows real-time in-system emulation.Programming the MSP430, assembler/C source-level debugging, single stepping, multiple hardwarebreakpoints, full-speed operation, and peripheral access are fully supported in-system using the JTAGconnector. Figure 2 shows the connections of the MSP-TRF4903-DEMO to the JTAG cable provided bythe MSP430 FET interface board.
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Keyed
Connector
Red Stripe
3.2 Loading the MSP430 With the FIrmware
Prototyping
Figure 2. JTAG Connector
The MSP-TRF4903-DEMO comes with source code installed on the MSP430 to run the demo program.The user can develop new application software that can be downloaded to the MSP430 MCU through theJTAG connector. Since the Compiled C code size is greater than 4 kB, only unrestricted versions of theIAR development environment (not the Kickstart version) must be used for downloading and modifying thecode.
The workspace file for compiling the demo source code is TRF4903_Demo_US.eww, developed with IARcompiler version 3.20a.
The following steps show how to open the project file and program the MSP430.
Step 1. Insert the two AAA batteries and slide the on/off switch to ON.Step 2. Start the Workbench (START->PROGRAMS->IAR SYSTEMS->IAR EMBEDDEDWORKBENCH
Step 3. Use FILE->OPEN WORKSPACE to open the workspace file at: <Installation root>\ …\TRF4903_Demo_US.eww
Step 4. Use PROJECT->BUILD ALL to compile and link the source code. You can view thesource code by double-clicking Common Sources, and then double-clicking on thesource files in the workspace windowStep 5. Ensure that the C-SPY Debugger is properly configured for the Parallel Port used.(Choose PROJECT->OPTIONS->FET DEBUGGER and select ->LPT1 (default) or LPT2or LPT3 for the Parralel Port Configuration).Step 6. Use PROJECT->DEBUG to start C-SPY. C-SPY erases the device Flash and downloadsthe application object fileStep 7. In C-SPY, use DEBUG->GO to start the applicationStep 8. In C-SPY, use DEBUG->STOP DEBUGGING to exit C-SPYStep 9. In Workbench, use FILE->EXIT to exit Workbench
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4 PCB Hardware Overview
4.1 Hardware Overview
4.2 TRF4903 RF Block Diagram
PA_OUT
Serial
Interface
CLOCK
DATA
STROBE
PA
Band-gap
/N Prescaler
/A-
Counter
Loop Filter
Brownout MODE
/Div. CTRL 8
6
Output
Divider PFD
CPs /Ref
/B-
Counter
Lock
Detector
VCO
24
23
22
3
2
1
4
32/33
19 20
XTAL_SW
XTAL
14 CP_OUT12VCO_TUNE
2...255
1, 2, 3
Detect
Bit Synchronizer
Data Clock
TX_DATA
and
STDBY
MUX
DET_LD_DCLK
16
XTAL
Switch
PCB Hardware Overview
The MSP430 is now programmed with the game demonstration code and ready to operate.
This chapter provides the default PCB hardware documentation in detail and provides alternateconfigurations that the user may want to implement.
The TRF4903 ISM-band transmitter IC operates from 315 MHz to 950 MHz. It has low power consumptionand an operating voltage of 2.2 V to 3.6 V. It features an integer-N PLL synthesizer and supports FSK andOOK operation. Other features include on-chip clock recovery, brownout detector, and XTAL frequencytrimming in software. See the TRF4903 data sheet (SWRS023 ) for detailed information on the TRF4903features.
The TRF4903 demonstration and development kit (MSP-TRF4903-DEMO) provide a stand-alonedemonstration of a unidirectional link using the MSP430F449, the TRF4903 RF transmitter and theTRF6903 RF transceiver configured as a receiver.
Figure 3 shows the block diagram of the TRF4903 ISM transceiver IC.
Figure 3. TRF4903 RF Block Diagram
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4.3 MSP430F449 Block Diagram
4.4 Demo Board Schematics
4.5 Top and Bottom Silk Screen and Drawing
PCB Hardware Overview
Figure 4 shows the block diagram of the MSP430F449 microcontroller IC.
Figure 4. Block Diagram of the MSP430F44x
See SWRR009 for the TRF4903 transmit side schematics and SWRR001 for the TRF6903 receiver sideschematics. All the schematics for the demonstration boards can be found at http://www.ti.com/ismrf .
Figure 5 and Figure 6 show the top-side and bottom-side TRF4903 circuit board silkscreen.
Figure 5. Top-Side Silk Screen
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