Rev. 0.5 9/14 Copyright © 2014 by Silicon Laboratories EZRadioPRO-DK
EZRadioPRO-DK
EZRADIOPRO® DEVELOPMENT KITS USER’S GUIDE
1. Kits Overview
This user's guide describes the development kits of the EZRadioPRO wireless development kit family. Each kit
contains two RF nodes based on the Wireless Motherboard to support evaluation and development of sub-GHz RF
links with the different EZRadioPRO devices. Table 1 lists the RF pico boards of the kits that use the latest C2A
revision of the EZRadioPRO ICs. Table 2 lists the RF pico boards of the obsolete kits that use the previous B1B
revision of the EZRadioPRO ICs. Table 3 lists the content that is common to all kits.
Table 1. RF Pico Boards of the EZRadioPRO Development Kits
Qty Description Part Number
Si4461 Development Kit 868 MHz 4461C-868-PDK
2Si4461 RF Transceiver Pico board 868 MHz, 14 dBm, direct tie 4461CPCE14D868-EK
Si4438 Development Kit 490 MHz 4438C-490-PDK
2Si4438 RF Transceiver Pico board 490 MHz, 20 dBm, direct tie 4438CPCE20D490-EK
Si4463 Development Kit 915 MHz 4463C-915-PDK
2Si4463 RF Transceiver Pico board 915 MHz, 20 dBm, switched 4463CPCE20C915-EK
Table 2. RF Pico Boards of the obsolete EZRadioPRO Development Kits
Qty Description Part Number
Si4060/Si4362 Development Kit 868 MHz 4060-868-PDK
1 Si4060 RF Transmitter Pico Board 868 MHz, 10 dBm 4060-PCE10B868-EK
1 Si4362 RF Receiver Pico Board 868 MHz 4362-PRXB868-EK
Si4063/Si4362 Development Kit 915 MHz 4063-915-PDK
1 Si4063 RF Transmitter Pico board 915 MHz, 20 dBm 4063-PCE20B915-EK
1 Si4362 RF Receiver Pico board 915 MHz 4362-PRXB915-EK
Si4461 Development Kit 868 MHz 4461-868-PDK
2 Si4461 RF Transceiver Pico board 868 MHz, 14 dBm, direct tie 4461-PCE14D868-EK
Si4438 Development Kit 490 MHz 4438-490-PDK
2 Si4438 RF Transceiver Pico board 490 MHz, 20 dBm, direct tie 4438-PCE20D490
Si4463 Development Kit 915 MHz 4463-915-PDK
2 Si4463 RF Transceiver Pico Board 915 MHz, 20 dBm, switched 4463-PCE20C915-EK
Table 3. Content Common to Every Kit
Qty Description Part Number
2 Wireless Motherboard MSC-WMB93X
2 C8051F930 MCU Pico Board UPPI-930-RF
2 USB cable (USBA-USB mini)
2 Antenna with SMA connection MSC-AT50-XXX
1 Kit user guide
EZRadioPRO-DK
2 Rev. 0.5
2. Soft ware Setup
There are two software tools provided by Silicon Labs to aid in EZRadioPRO software development, the Wireless
Development Suite (WDS) and the Silicon Labs Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The recommended
starting point for EZRadioPRO development is the WDS software tool. This tool is able to identify the connected
boards by reading their identification memories (EBID) and provides valuable help by greatly simplifying radio
configuration, evaluation, and ap plication development.
2.1. Hardware and Software Requirements for WDS
The following hardware and software is required to run the WDS:
Windows XP or later
Microsoft .NET framework 3.5 or later
Silicon Labs CP210x VCP driver
WDS v3.2.7.0 or later
The lack of the .NET framework and VCP driver are recognized during the WDS installation. The install wizard will
install the missing components after prompting the user for consent.
2.2. Download WDS
WDS can be obtained from the Sili con Labs web site free of charge at
http://www.silabs.com/Support%20Documents/Software/WDS3-Setup.exe
2.3. Installation Steps
If WDS is already installed on your machine, skip this section.
Note: Before installing this software, local administration rights must be obtained from your network administrator.
1. Start WDS3-Setup.exe.
2. Click “Next” to start the installation process.
3. Accept the license agreement by clicking the check box, and then press the “Next” button.
4. Select the installation folder.
It is recommended to use the default folder, C:\Program Files\Silabs\WDS3
5. When your settings are confirmed, click “Install” to continue.
6. Click “Finish” to close the WDS Installer.
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3. Hardware Setup
After checking the kit contents against Tables 2 and 3, the kit can be put into operation by performing the steps
listed below.
Figure 1. Wireless Motherboard Top Markings
1. Insert an RF Pico board into the connectors labeled as CON1 and CON2 on the Wireless Motherbo ard
(WMB).
2. Insert a UPPI-930-RF MCU Pico Board into the connectors, J5, J6, J7, and J8, on the WM B. Th e do tt ed
corner of the F930 MCU has to point to the triangle symbol on the WMB.
3. Connect the antenna to the SMA connector on the RF Pico Board.
4. Set the SUPPLY SELECT switch to the USB position.
5. Set the MCU DC/DC switch to the OFF position.
6. Ensure that all the CURRENT MEASUR EMEN T jumpers are in place.
7. Start the WDS on your PC.
8. Using one of the USB cables in the kit, connect the WMB to the PC.
9. If necessary wait for Windows to install the debug interface driver.
10. WDS must identify the connected board and open an Application Manager window that lists information
about the identified board.
11. Boards are shipped witho ut preloaded sof twa re. Sample co des can be configure d and downloaded to the
MCU from WDS. For details on how to use the WDS, see the WDS User's Guides listed in "4. Useful
Documentation" on page 5".
EZRadioPRO-DK
4 Rev. 0.5
Figure 2. WDS Application Manager Window
Repeat steps 1 to 9 for the other node of the kit.
The two nodes are now ready for evaluation. Detailed descriptions of the example codes can be found in the
programming guide liste d in "4. Useful Documentation" on page 5.
The following is a quick-step guide to performing simple packet TX/RX.
1. Leave both nodes powered from the USB as described above.
2. Select “Radio Configuration Application”.
3. From the Radio Configuration Application window , select “S ta ndard Packet TX” for one node and “S t andard
Packet RX” for the other node.
4. 4Leave the default parameter settings untouched; simply click “Download project”.
5. Now, the simple TX/RX sample project is running on the boards. When pressing one of the SW1 to SW4
buttons on the TX board, packets are sent, and the corresponding LED of LED1 to LED4 lights up during
the transmission. On the RX side, LED1 is always on, while differ ent combinations of LED2 to LED4 light
up during successful packet reception according to the button pressed.
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Rev. 0.5 5
4. Useful Documentation
For general information on the EZRadioPRO chips, see the following data sheets:
Si406x Data Sheet
Si4362 Data Sheet
Si446x Data Sheet
For hardware design guidance, see the following application notes:
AN627: Si4060/Si4460/61 Low-Power PA Matching
AN629: Si4460/61/63/64 RF ICs Layout Design Guide
AN643: Si446x/Si4362 RX LNA Matching
AN648: Si4063/Si4463/64 TX Matching
For detailed information on lab measurements and data sheet parameter verification, refer to the following
application notes:
AN655: Range Test Application for EZRadio® and EZRadioPRO®
AN796: Wireless Development Suite General Description
AN632: WDS User's Guide for EZRadioPRO® Devices
For detailed information on programming the rad io, refer to the following documents:
Si406x API Descriptions
Si4362 API Descriptions
Si446x API Descriptions
AN633: Programming Guide for EZRadioPRO® Si4x6x Devices
Download WDS3 installer
Download Silicon Laboratories IDE installer
More useful documents can be accessed via the EZRadioPRO web pages at
http://www.silabs.com/products/wireless/EZRadioPRO/Pages/default.aspx
EZRadioPRO-DK
6 Rev. 0.5
5. The Wireless Motherboard Hardware Platform
The wireless motherboard platform is a demo, evaluation, and development platfo rm for EZRadioPRO radio ICs. It
consists of a wireless motherboard and interchangeable MCU and RF pico boards.
Figure 3 . 8-bit Wireless Motherboard Platform
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Rev. 0.5 7
5.1. The Wireless Motherboard
Figure 4. Wireless Motherboard
The wireless motherboard contains four pushbuttons, four LEDs, and a buzzer as simple user interfaces. A
graphical LCD displays menu items for range testing purposes and a potentiometer demonstrates analog
capabilities of the MCU. A switch supports the power options of the MCU's built-in dc/dc converter. Using the
current measurement jumpers, current consumption can be measured separately either for the MCU, the radio, or
the peripherals. The motherboard contains test pins for all I/O pins of the MCU and for all digital pins of the radio. In
addition, there are SMA connectors for the GPIOs of the radio for test equipment connection. A USB
communication interface as well as a built-in Silicon Labs USB-to-C2 debug adapter are integrated onto the board
so that the wireless motherboard (WMB) can be directly connected via USB to the PC for downloading and
debugging code on the MCU.
An interface connection towards sensor modules can also be found. The MCU is also connected to the RF pico
board through a connector pair.
MCU Pico Board RF Pico Board
Current
Measurement
Pins
Radio
Test
Pins
Radio GPIO
Connectors
BuzzerReset ButtonPush ButtonsPotentiometer
MCU DC/DC
Converter
Switch
MCU Test
Pins
Power
Supply
Switch
Sensor
Module
Connector
External
Power
Supply
Connection
USB
Communication
and Debug
Interface
EZRadioPRO-DK
8 Rev. 0.5
5.2. Power Scheme
The power source of the platfo rm can be selecte d with the power supply selector switch “SUPPLY SELECT” on the
WMB board. If this switch is in the ”USB” position, supply voltage is provided by the PC that is connected to the
”J16” mini USB connector. If this s witch is in the ”B AT” position, the supply voltage is provided by two AA batteries
in the battery holder on the bottom side of the board. If the ”SUPPLY SELECT” switch is in the ”EXT” position,
supply voltage is provided by an external power source through the ”TP7” and “TP9” points.
Using the ”MCU dc/dc” switch, the internal dc/dc converter of the C88051F930 MCU on the MCU pico board can
be activated if th e connected pico boa rd supports this function. If th e switch is in ”OFF” position , the MCU's dc/dc
converter is inactive and the supply voltage is only determined by the state of the “SUPPLY SELECT” switch.
Positioning the switch to either ”LDO (1.25 V)” or ”1 CELL” position will turn on the MCU's dc/dc converter by
connecting 1.25–1.5 V supply voltage to the VBAT pin and removing external power from the VDC pin. The MCU
will provide 1.9 V in default setting on its VDC pin to all the other connected lo ads. Since this current is limited, it
may be necessary to disconnect or disable some loading part of the board. For further details, see the MCU data
sheet and the board schematic. The board schematic can be found in the EZRadioPRO Development Kit User's
Guide. A complete CAD design p ack of the board is also available at www.silabs.com.
5.3. RF Pico Board
Figure 5. RF Pico Board Front Side
The RF pico board is a radio module that contains an EZRadioPRO radio IC, matching network and an SMA
connector on the top side. These components apart from the antenna connector are covered by a metal shield for
noise reduction. The digital signals of the radio (SCLK, SDI, SDO, NSEL, SCL, SDA, VDD and GND) can be
accessed on test points at the edge of the board. The boards also have a factory loaded board identification
memory (EBID) on the bottom side that contains data that describes the boar d properties. Via the unified RF pico
connector pair on the bottom side of the board, any RF pico board can be connected to the WMB.
EZRadioPRO-DK
Rev. 0.5 9
The schematic of an RF Pico Board can be found in the next chapter. The complete CAD design pack of each RF
pico board type is also available at www.silabs.com.
5.4. Setting up and Connecting the WMB to the PC
Steps for connecting th e platform to the PC:
1. Connect an RF Pico Board to the WMB board through the CON1 and CON2 connectors.
2. Insert a UPPI-930-RF MCU pico board in the connectors J5, J6, J7, J8 on the WMB. The dotted corner of
the C8051F930 MCU has to point to the triangle symbol on the WMB.
3. Connect an antenna to the SMA connector on the RF Pico Board.
4. Select the desired power source with the SUPPLY SELECT switch.
5. Ensure that all the CURRENT MEASUR EMEN T jumpers are in place.
6. Connect the WMB board to a USB port of the PC.
7. Wait for Windows to install the driver of the debug interface if necessary.
Table 4. Connections between the WMB Board and the RF Pico Board
Si446x, Si4362, Si406x, Si4438 WMB C8051F930
Pin Number Pin Name Pin Function RF Pico board J1
connector WMB Con2
connector Pin Name
EP,18 GND Ground 2 1,2,19,20 GND
8 VDD Voltage Supply in put 1 17,18 VDD
11 NIRQ Interrupt ou tp ut
active low 10 7 P0.1
1 SDN Shutdown input
active high 38P2.3
15 NSEL SPI select input 6 6 P1.4
12 SCLK SPI clock input 9 5 P1.0
14 SDI SPI data input 7 3 P1.2
13 SDO SPI data output 8 4 P1.1
9 GPIO_0 General Purpose I/O 12 11 P2.6 (2nd)
10 GPIO_1 General Purpose I/O 11 12 P1.3
19 GPIO_2 General Purpose I/O 5 13 P2.5
20 GPIO_3 General Purpose I/O 4 14 P2.4
EZRadioPRO-DK
10 Rev. 0.5
6. Wireless Motherboard Schematics
Figure 6. Wireless Motherboard Schematic (1 of 4)
EZRadioPRO-DK
Rev. 0.5 11
Figure 7 . Wireless Motherboard Schematic (2 of 4)
EZRadioPRO-DK
12 Rev. 0.5
Figure 8. Wireless Motherboard Schematic (3 of 4)
EZRadioPRO-DK
Rev. 0.5 13
Figure 9 . Wireless Motherboard Schematic (4 of 4)
EZRadioPRO-DK
14 Rev. 0.5
RF Section
RF EBID
50Ohm load
Si4463 Class-E +20 dBm matching for 915MHz
C1
2.2uF
C2
100nF
C3
100pF
C4
33pF
C5
100nF
Q1
30MHz
R7
4R7
1A0
2A1
3A2
4VSS 5
SDA
6
SCL
7
WP
8
VCC
U3
24AA64T-I/MNY
C11 100nF
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
J1
CM2
4.3pF
CM1
2.7pF
CR2
1.0pF
CR1
3.0pF
C0
3.3pF
LM1
10nH
LR1
18nH
CC2
56pF
LM3
8.2nH
LM2
10nH
LR2
22nH
L0
13nH
1
OUT1
2
GND
3
OUT2
4VC2
5RF_IN
6VC1
U2
uPG2214TB
CC1
56pF
SJ9
SJ10
LC3
120nH
C9
56pF
CM3
4.3pF
SJ1
1
TXRAMP
RF Shield
U4
SHIELD_BMI-S-203-F
TRX
CC3
56pF
1SDN
2RXP
3RXN
4TX
5NC
6VBATA
7TXRAMP
8VBATD
9GPIO_0
10 GPIO_1
11
NIRQ
12
SCLK
13
SDO
14
SDI
15
NSEL
16
XOUT
17
XIN
18
GNDX
19
GPIO_2
20
GPIO_3
EP EP
U1 SI4463
CM
4.7pF
12
34
56
78
910
11 12
13 14
15 16
17 18
19 20
RFP1
SFH31-NPPB-D10-SP_ASSYMETRIC
12
34
56
78
910
11 12
13 14
15 16
17 18
19 20
RFP2
SFH31-NPPB-D10-SP_ASSYMETRIC
PCB sticker
1
S1
PCB_STICKER_13X25MM
RF_SDN
RF_GPIO_3
RF_GPIO_2
RF_MOSI
RF_MISO
RF_SCLK
RF_NIRQ
RF_GPIO_0
RFVDD
RF_MOSI RF_MISO
RF_SCLK RF_NSEL
RF_NIRQ RF_SDN
RF_GPIO_0 RF_GPIO_1
RF_GPIO_2 RF_GPIO_3
RFVDD
RFVDD
EBID_SCL EBID_SDA
VPP
VPP
VPP
VPP
VPP
RF_SDN
RF_GPIO_3
RF_GPIO_2
RF_NSEL
RF_MOSI
RF_MISO
RF_SCLK
RF_NIRQ
RF_GPIO_1
RF_GPIO_0
EBID_SCL
EBID_SDA
RF_GPIO_1
RF_NSEL
RFVDD_TX
RF_GPIO_2
RF_GPIO_0
RXN
RXP
TX1
RFVDDRFVDD
RFVDD_TX
Figure 10. RF Pico Board
EZRadioPRO-DK
Rev. 0.5 15
Figure 11. UPPI-930-RF MCU Pico Board Schematic (1 of 2)
EZRadioPRO-DK
16 Rev. 0.5
Figure 12. UPPI-930-RF MCU Pico Board Schematic (2 of 2)
Disclaimer
Silicon Laboratories intends to provide customers with the latest, accurate, and in-depth documentation of all peripherals and modules available for system and software implementers
using or intending to use the Silicon Laboratories products. Characterization data, available modules and peripherals, memory sizes and memory addresses refer to each specific
device, and "Typical" parameters provided can and do vary in different applications. Application examples described herein are for illustrative purposes only. Silicon Laboratories
reserves the right to make changes without further notice and limitation to product information, specifications, and descriptions herein, and does not give warranties as to the accuracy
or completeness of the included information. Silicon Laboratories shall have no liability for the consequences of use of the information supplied herein. This document does not imply
or express copyright licenses granted hereunder to design or fabricate any integrated circuits. The products must not be used within any Life Support System without the specific
written consent of Silicon Laboratories. A "Life Support System" is any product or system intended to support or sustain life and/or health, which, if it fails, can be reasonably expected
to result in significant personal injury or death. Silicon Laboratories products are generally not intended for military applications. Silicon Laboratories products shall under no
circumstances be used in weapons of mass destruction including (but not limited to) nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, or missiles capable of delivering such weapons.
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thereof, "the world’s most energy friendly microcontrollers", Ember®, EZLink®, EZMac®, EZRadio®, EZRadioPRO®, DSPLL®, ISOmodem ®, Precision32®, ProSLIC®, SiPHY®,
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4461-TSQ14D868-EK 4463-915-PDK 4362-PRXB169-EK 4362-PRXB434-EK MSC-F930-PDK 4060-PCE10B868-
EK 4063-915-PDK 4063-PCE20B915-EK 4362-PRXB868-EK 4362-PRXB915-EK 4461-PCE14D868-EK 4463-
PCE20C915-EK 4060-868-PDK 4461-868-PDK 4438-PCE20D490-EK 4463C-915-PDK 4461C-868-PDK
4461CPCE14D868 4461CPCE14D868-K
