User's Guide 2004 SLLU090 IMPORTANT NOTICE Texas Instruments Incorporated and its subsidiaries (TI) reserve the right to make corrections, modifications, enhancements, improvements, and other changes to its products and services at any time and to discontinue any product or service without notice. Customers should obtain the latest relevant information before placing orders and should verify that such information is current and complete. All products are sold subject to TI's terms and conditions of sale supplied at the time of order acknowledgment. TI warrants performance of its hardware products to the specifications applicable at the time of sale in accordance with TI's standard warranty. Testing and other quality control techniques are used to the extent TI deems necessary to support this warranty. Except where mandated by government requirements, testing of all parameters of each product is not necessarily performed. TI assumes no liability for applications assistance or customer product design. Customers are responsible for their products and applications using TI components. To minimize the risks associated with customer products and applications, customers should provide adequate design and operating safeguards. TI does not warrant or represent that any license, either express or implied, is granted under any TI patent right, copyright, mask work right, or other TI intellectual property right relating to any combination, machine, or process in which TI products or services are used. Information published by TI regarding third-party products or services does not constitute a license from TI to use such products or services or a warranty or endorsement thereof. Use of such information may require a license from a third party under the patents or other intellectual property of the third party, or a license from TI under the patents or other intellectual property of TI. Reproduction of information in TI data books or data sheets is permissible only if reproduction is without alteration and is accompanied by all associated warranties, conditions, limitations, and notices. Reproduction of this information with alteration is an unfair and deceptive business practice. TI is not responsible or liable for such altered documentation. Resale of TI products or services with statements different from or beyond the parameters stated by TI for that product or service voids all express and any implied warranties for the associated TI product or service and is an unfair and deceptive business practice. TI is not responsible or liable for any such statements. Following are URLs where you can obtain information on other Texas Instruments products and application solutions: Products Applications Amplifiers amplifier.ti.com Audio www.ti.com/audio Data Converters dataconverter.ti.com Automotive www.ti.com/automotive DSP dsp.ti.com Broadband www.ti.com/broadband Interface interface.ti.com Digital Control www.ti.com/digitalcontrol Logic logic.ti.com Military www.ti.com/military Power Mgmt power.ti.com Optical Networking www.ti.com/opticalnetwork Microcontrollers microcontroller.ti.com Security www.ti.com/security Telephony www.ti.com/telephony Video & Imaging www.ti.com/video Wireless www.ti.com/wireless Mailing Address: Texas Instruments Post Office Box 655303 Dallas, Texas 75265 Copyright 2004, Texas Instruments Incorporated How to Use This Manual Preface About This Manual This document presents the contents of the Dolphin frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) wireless UART demonstration and development tool kit. The Dolphin chipset consists of the TRF6903 RF transciever and the ROM coded MSP430U275 microcontroller. The term Dolphin will be used in the rest of the document. The MSP430U275 microcontroller is a standard MSP430C1351 with firmware residing on the ROM based program memory. For demo purposes, the Dolphin demo kit is developed with the TRF6903 RF transceiver and Flash-based MSP430F135 since the flash-based MSP430F135 can be reprogrammed using JTAG and the firmwware can be updated and reloaded for evaluation. The user manual provides information on how to operate the Dolphin demo kit and describes its hardware and software. Users should understand the flash based MSP430F135 and/or ROM based MSP430C1351 and the TRF6903 to obtain the full benefit of this user manual. How to Use This Manual Different topics covered in this manual may require different levels of expertise. The first chapter gives an overview of the kit. The second and third chapters focus on how to use the kit and get started on the development. The fourth and fifth chapters focus on the hardware and software details of the Dolphin demo kit respectively. The frequency hopping protocol details are presented in Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 demonstrates applications and architectures that could use Dolphin. Chapter 1 - Evaluation Kit Overview Chapter 2 - Demonstrating a Wireless Link Chapter 3 - PCB Hardware Chapter 4 - Software Chapter 5 -Protocol and Firmware Overview Chapter 6 - Applications Appendix A - RF Test Reports Appendix B - FCC Prescan Documents Appendix C - Range Results iii Related Documentation From Texas Instruments Related Documentation From Texas Instruments Other related Texas Instruments documents that may be helpful are: - TRF6903 data sheet - SWRS022 - MSP430U275 data sheet - SWRS027 - Flash-based MSP430F135 data sheet http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/ msp430f135.pdf - ROM-based MSP430C1351 data sheet http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/ msp430c1351.pdf - TRF6903 design guide - SWRU009 - TRF6903 FAQ - Interfacing Dolphin to an External System Microcontroller application note - SWRA045 - Dolphin Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum Chipset Host Interface Protocol application note - SWRA043 Product Websites For 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 the literature number in the Search text box; for example, typing in SWRS022 locates the TRF6903 data sheet. FCC Warning This equipment is intended for use in a laboratory test environment only. It generates radio frequency (RF) energy and has not been tested for compliance within the limits of computing devices pursuant to Subpart J, Part 15 of United States FCC regulations, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against radio frequency interference. Operation of this equipment in other environments may cause interference with radio communications, in which case the user (at their own expense) will be required to take whatever measures may be required to correct this interference. iv Contents Disclaimer Please note that the enclosed demonstration boards are experimental printed circuit boards and are therefore only intended for device demonstration and evaluation. The circuit boards have been manufactured by one or more of Texas Instruments' external subcontractors which may not be production qualified. Device parameters that are measured with these circuit boards may not be representative of production devices or typical production data. Texas Instruments does not represent or guarantee that a final hardware version will be made available after device evaluation. THE DEMONSTRATION CIRCUIT BOARDS ARE SUPPLIED WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESSED, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. TEXAS INSTRUMENTS ACCEPTS NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER ARISING AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THESE CIRCUIT BOARDS. The fee associated with the demonstration boards is a nonrecurring engineering fee (NRE) to partially defray the engineering costs associated with circuit board development and applications support for the integrated circuit semiconductor product(s). The circuit board is a tool for demonstrating and evaluating the RF semiconductors supplied by Texas Instruments. The demonstration board is supplied to prospective customers to provide services and software that will help them to evaluate the RF semiconductors. The demonstration board may be operated only for product demonstration or evaluation purposes and then only in nonresidential areas. Texas Instruments' understanding is that the customer's products using the RF parts listed shall be designed to comply with all applicable FCC and appropriate regulatory agency requirements and will, upon testing, comply with these requirements. Operation of this device is subject to the conditions that it does not cause harmful interference and that it must accept any interference. v vi Contents 1 Dolphin Demonstration and Evaluation Kit Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1 Description of Dolphin Chipset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2 Dolphin Chipset vs Dolphin Demo Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3 Dolphin Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4 Low Power and High Power Chipset Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5 Evaluation Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.6 Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.7 Equipment Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-4 1-5 1-6 1-6 2 Demonstrating a Wireless Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1 Board Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2 Operational Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2.1 Preparing for Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2.2 Power Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2.3 Wireless Demonstration - Link Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2.4 Test Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2.5 Error Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 2-2 2-3 2-3 2-4 2-4 2-5 2-5 3 PCB Hardware Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1 3.1 Hardware Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 3.1.1 TRF6903 Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3 3.1.2 MSP430F135 Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4 3.2 Low Power Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5 3.2.1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5 3.2.2 Schematics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 3.2.3 Top and Bottom Side of the LP Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7 3.2.4 BOM for the LP Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9 3.3 High Power Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11 3.3.1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11 3.3.2 Schematics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13 3.3.3 Different Layers of the HP Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14 3.3.4 BOM for the HP Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16 3.4 Other Hardware Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19 3.4.1 Dolphin Interface Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19 3.4.2 Antenna and RF Shield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20 3.4.3 Discrete LC Filter for Harmonic Suppression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20 3.4.4 IF Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21 3.4.5 Ceramic Discriminator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22 3.4.6 TR Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23 3.4.7 External Crystal for the TRF6903 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23 vii Contents 4 Software Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1 4.1 Software Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2 4.2 Software Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3 4.2.1 Setting Device Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3 4.2.2 RF Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4 4.2.3 Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 4.2.4 Test Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7 4.2.5 Communication Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9 4.3 Setting Up and Testing a Wireless Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10 4.3.1 Single-Ended Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10 4.3.2 Round Trip Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12 4.3.3 Single Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12 5 Protocol and Firmware Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1 Protocol Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.1 RF Transmit / Receive Protocol Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.2 RF Transmit Logic Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1.3 RF Receive Logic Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.2 Firmware Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.2.1 Implementation of Frequency-Hopping Protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 5-2 5-2 5-3 5-5 5-6 5-6 6 Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.1 Network Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.1.1 Point-Point Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.1.2 Broadcast Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.2 Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.2.1 Wireless Metering - AMR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-4 7 RF Test Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1 A.1 RF Test Report for the Low-Power Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 A.2 RF Test Report for the High-Power Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 8 FCC Prescan Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.1 Low-Power Board FCC Prescan Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.1.1 SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.1.2 SETUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.1.3 RESULTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.2 High Power Board FCC Prescan Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.2.1 SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.2.2 SETUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.2.3 RESULTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1 B-2 B-2 B-2 B-2 B-3 B-3 B-3 B-4 9 Range Test Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.1 Range Test Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.1.1 Low Power Board Range Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.1.2 High Power Board Range Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1 C-2 C-2 C-3 viii Contents 1-1 1-2 1-3 2-1 2-2 2-3 3-1 3-2 3-3 3-4 3-5 3-6 3-7 3-8 3-9 3-10 3-11 3-12 3-13 3-14 3-15 4-1 4-2 4-3 4-4 4-5 4-6 4-7 4-8 4-9 5-1 5-2 5-3 5-4 5-5 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-4 Dolphin Chipset Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 Dolphin Demo Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 Evaluation Using Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5 Top Side of the Demonstration Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2 Top Side of the Serial Interface Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2 Link Mode Demonstration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 TRF6903 Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3 MSP430F13x Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4 Dolphin Low Power Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5 Low Power Board Schematic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 Top Side (LP Version) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7 Bottom Side (LP Version) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8 High Power (HP) Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12 HP Board Schematic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13 Top Layer and Layer 2 (HP Version) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14 Bottom Layer and Layer 3 (HP Version) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15 Dolphin Interface Board Schematic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19 Top-Side Assembly of the Interface Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20 Discrete LC Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21 Recommended IF Filter Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22 Murata Ceramic Discriminator - Frequency Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23 Evaluation Software- Main Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2 Communication Setup Screen Under Settings Pull Down Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3 RF Settings Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 Statistics Settings Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6 Test Settings Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7 Test Settings Transmit Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8 Test Settings Receive Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9 Transceiver Bit Rate Settings Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10 ID Setup for Single-Ended Link Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11 RF Overhead in Hop Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2 RF Overhead in Single-Channel Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3 Transmit-Side Logic Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4 Receive-Side Logic Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 Protocol Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 Star Topology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Ring Topology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3 Complete Topology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3 Broadcast Topology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4 ix Contents 6-5 6-6 C-1 C-2 Overview of the AMR System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wireless Metering (AMR) Application Using Dolphin Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Low Power Board - Outdoor Range Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . High Power Board - Outdoor Range Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5 6-6 C-2 C-3 3-1 3-2 3-3 3-4 3-5 3-6 B-1 B-2 B-3 B-4 C-1 x Initial System Design Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 Low Power (LP) Board Performance Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5 HP Board Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12 Murata IF Filter SFECS10M7EA00-R0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21 Murata Ceramic Discriminator CDSCB10M7GA119-R0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22 Example Crystal Information: Crystek 017119 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23 Fundamental Emissions: (15.249 limit = 94 dBmV/m) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3 FCC Part 15.247 - Maximum Power (A = 0 dB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3 FCC Part 15.249 - Minimum Power (A = 20 dB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3 FCC Part 15.247 - Transmit Mode, Maximum Power (A = 0 dB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4 Range Test Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2 Chapter 1 This chapter provides an overview of the Dolphin demonstration and development kit. Topic Page 1.1 Description of Dolphin Chipset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 1.2 Dolphin Chipset vs Dolphin Demo Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 1.3 Dolphin Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4 1.4 Low Power and High Power Chipset Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4 1.5 Evaluation Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5 1.6 Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6 1.7 Equipment Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6 Dolphin Demonstration and Evaluation Kit Overview 1-1 Description of Dolphin Chipset 1.1 Description of Dolphin Chipset The Dolphin is a frequency hopping wireless universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) chipset solution and can be used to implement a wireless link that end applications can interface to as a peripheral, shielding the end-application from the implementation details. The Dolphin chipset solution eases wireless system development while keeping the end application highly integrated and flexible. The Dolphin is a FCC pre-certified reference design and the chipset solution consists of a Texas Instruments TRF6903 single-chip multi-band RF transceiver and a ROM-based MSP430 digital baseband device (DBB) MSP430U275. The MSP430U275 microcontroller is a standard ROM-based MSP430C1351 with frequency hopping firmware residing on the ROM based program memory. The MSP430U275 can be controlled through an external evaluation software or system microcontroller through the hardware UART interface of the MSP430U275. This is illustrated in Figure 1-1. For further details on the interfacing system micro to the Dolphin chipset and example firmware, see the application note SWRA0XX. Figure 1-1. Dolphin Chipset Architecture Host Interface Protocol via UART Wireless UART - Dolphin RF TRF6903 DBB MSP430U275 System Micro Software Application Layer Data Link Layer MAC Layer PHY Layer Note: 1-2 The MSP430U275 is the same part as the ROM-coded MSP430C1351 with the frequency hopping firmware residing in the ROM-based program memory. See the MSP430U275 data sheet (SWRS0XX) for information on how to order these ROM-coded parts. Dolphin Chipset vs Dolphin Demo Kit 1.2 Dolphin Chipset vs Dolphin Demo Kit It is important to understand the difference between Dolphin chipset and the Dolphin demo kit. - The Dolphin demo kit as name indicates is used for demonstration/ evaluation purposes and consists of a TRF6903 RF transceiver and flash-based MSP430F135 microcontroller for emulation purposes. Since the flash-based MSP430F135 can be reprogrammed using JTAG, the firmware can be updated and reloaded for demo purposes. This is shown in Figure 1-2. The firmware cannot be changed/reloaded in ROM-based devices. The MSP430F135 and the MSP430U275 (MSP430C1351) are pin-pin compatible. - See the http://www.ti.com/ismrf website for information on how to obtain the Dolphin demo kits. Figure 1-2. Dolphin Demo Kit Wireless UART -Dolphin RF TRF6903 DBB MSP430F135 s Host Interface Protocol via UART Evaluation Software Application Layer Data Link Layer MAC Layer PHY Layer Dolphin Demonstration and Evaluation Kit Overview 1-3 Dolphin Features 1.3 Dolphin Features The end-system can treat Dolphin as a peripheral capable of establishing a wireless link. The system microcontroller focuses on the end application level protocol. Any catalog microcontroller can be used as a system microcontroller which provides added flexibility. The interface between the system microcontroller and the MSP430U275 digital baseband (DBB) is a simple UART. The Dolphin demo kit has been provided with evaluation software that communicates with the MSP430 DBB using a UART interface that follows a defined protocol. This host interface protocol document is detailed in Dolphin Host Interface Protocol Definition application report (SWRA043). The MSP430 DBB controller contains the frequency hopping firmware and handles the wireless communication protocols in the MAC and data link layer. The Dolphin demo kit is used to demonstrate a FCC compliant (Sec 15.247) frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) wireless data link. The firmware resides on the MSP430F135 device and supports point-point, broadcast networks with acknowledgement and retries. The reference design (schematics and layout of the board) has been FCC precertified and can be used to ramp up the FCC certification process and lower system development hurdles. 1.4 Low Power and High Power Chipset Solutions The Dolphin chipset solution is offered in two versions; low power (LP) and high power (HP). The low-power version generates an output power of +7 dBm, while the high-power version generated an output power of +23 dBm (at VCC = 3.6 V) and +20 dBm (at VCC = 3 V) using an external PA. Both LP and HP versions of the Dolphin demo kit are offered for evaluation. The Dolphin demo kit provides an option to be powered from either a 3-V battery or from an external dc-power supply. Both the LP and HP designs are FCC precertified. For hardware descriptions of low-power and high-power versions, see Chapter 3. The schematics, Gerber's, and BOM for both low-power and high-power versions can be downloaded from the http://www.ti.com/ismrf website. 1-4 Evaluation Software 1.5 Evaluation Software Texas Instruments provides software to evaluate the performance of the Dolphin demo kit. This software interfaces to the MSP430F135 DBB using a simple UART. This is shown in Figure 1-3. A protocol has been developed to establish communication between any external evaluation software (or system microcontroller) and the MSP430F135 DBB. This is called Dolphin Host Interface Protocol and is documented in detail in application report SWRA043. Figure 1-3. Evaluation Using Software Wireless UART - Dolphin RX RF TRF6903 Interface Board With Serial Line Driver DBB MSP430U275 TX TX PC With Evalution Software Installed Serial Cable DB-9 The evaluation software is dealt in detail in Chapter 4. The important features provided by the evaluation software are: - Single channel / frequency hopping mode of operation selection - Enable acknowledgement / retries for reliable data transfer - Programmable transceiver baud rate and serial port baud rate selection - Test mode selection - Packet error rate statistics Dolphin Demonstration and Evaluation Kit Overview 1-5 Contents 1.6 Contents The Dolphin demonstration and development kit contains: - Three Dolphin (TRF6903 +MSP430F135) demonstration boards - User's manual (this document) - Three simple wire antennas - Host protocol interface software - Two serial port cables The MSP430 is already loaded with the frequency hopping firmware. Hardware and Software documentation related to this kit are documented in Chapters 3 and 4 respectively. For more information visit the ISM band product website at http://www.ti.com/ismrf. 1.7 Equipment Requirement The following equipment is not included in this kit and may be required to operate the Dolphin demo kit: - DC power supply - AA Batteries 1-6 Chapter 2 This chapter explains how to operate Dolphin demo kit to demonstrate a RF bidirectional link. Topic Page 2.1 Board Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2 2.2 Operational Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 Demonstrating a Wireless Link 2-1 Board Description 2.1 Board Description The Dolphin demo kit consists of two circuit boards. One circuit board consists of a TRF6903 RF transceiver and a MSP430F135 microcontroller as shown in Figure 2-1. The second circuit board is a serial interface board which consists of a RS232 serial line driver, low voltage detector, and two AA battery holder. The interface board has an option to be powered up from an external dc-power supply or two 1.5-V AA batteries. The interface board has a LED which turns off when the supply voltage falls below 2.2 V. Each board is capable of sending and receiving half-duplex wireless data on North American/US ISM bands. The microcontroller firmware is configured to use the 902 to 928-MHz ISM frequency band. Figure 2-1 shows top-side view of the circuit board. Figure 2-1. Top Side of the Demonstration Board Figure 2-2. Top Side of the Serial Interface Board 2-2 Operational Overview Dolphin demo kit features: - TRF6903 RF transceiver - MSP430F135 16 bit ultra-low power microcontroller - Simple wire antenna - Manual reset pin for the MSP430 microcontroller - Header for external dc-power supply - Battery holder for two 1.5-V AA batteries (batteries not included) - Serial interface board - Low battery voltage indicator - SMA connector footprint for an external antenna or test equipment (SMA connector not included) - RS232 line driver/receiver - Serial Port Connector - External PA and SAW filter (HP version) 2.2 Operational Overview The Dolphin kit was designed to quickly demonstrate a wireless link between three unique devices. The interface board provides dc-power via the onboard batteries and a serial link via RS232. This platform allows the user to easily connect to the chipset and start communication. A detailed description to set up the chipset software can be found in Chapter 4. The Dolphin demo kit can operate in two modes. - Link Mode -Section 2.2.3 - Test Mode - Section 2.2.4 2.2.1 Preparing for Operation Before you start operating the units as a demonstration make sure that you have done the following: - Connect Dolphin demo board to the serial interface board by inserting the headers into the header recepticle provided on the interface board. - The Dolphin interface board requires two 1.5-V AA size batteries. Batteries need to provide a minumum of 2.2 VDC. - Connect the serial port cable between the host PC (with the evaluation software installed) and the DB-9 connector on the interface board. - Start the evaluation software and choose the appropriate serial port used for communication. (Auto Detect feature can be used) Demonstrating a Wireless Link 2-3 Operational Overview 2.2.2 Power Up Insert batteries into interface board and verify LED1 blinking in two second intervals. Upon power up, both units go into receive mode to monitor for any transmit activity. 2.2.3 Wireless Demonstration - Link Mode The link mode setup is shown in Figure 2-3. Upon power up of all three devices and before communication can take place the individual devices must have the following parameters properly programmed using the Texas Instruments evaluation software. - Destination ID (transceiver ID of the device you want to talk to) - Network ID (identical to each other) - System ID (identical to each other) - Hop table (identical to each other) - Transceiver ID (must be unique) After the proper parameters have been programmed the user must enter data into the RF data text box and press the Send Single Msg. Upon successful transmission the communications log display's an acknowledgement. For more details on link mode demonstration, see Chapter 4 section 4.3. Figure 2-3. Link Mode Demonstration Serial Cable TX Antenna Interface Board with DB-9 Connector Dolphin Demo board TX PC with Evaluation Software RX Antenna Serial Cable RX PC with Evaluation Software 2-4 Interface Board with DB-9 C onnector Dolphin Demo board Operational Overview 2.2.4 Test Mode The Dolphin can be configured to be in the test mode to evaluate the RF performance of the TRF6903. The test mode provides an option to configure and program the TRF6903 registers. This allows the system designers additional flexibility to evaluate all the features of the TRF6903 for their application-specific needs. The test settings page can be selected by clicking the Test Settings tab in the evaluation software. This is shown in Figure 4-5 in Chapter 4. In order to evaluate the TRF6903 in test-mode, the Dolphin evaluation board needs to be connected to the spectrum analyzer through an SMA connector. See Chapter 4 for detailed transmit and receive test plans to evaluate the TRF6903. 2.2.5 Error Conditions If communication does not exist after numerous attempts, shutdown and restart evaluation software and cycle power on the evaluation board. Next select auto detect in the communication settings menu to establish communications. Demonstrating a Wireless Link 2-5 2-6 Chapter 3 ! " This chapter provides the default PCB hardware documentation in detail and provides alternate configurations that the user may want to implement. Topic Page 3.1 Hardware Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 3.2 Low Power Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5 3.3 High Power Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11 3.4 Other Hardware Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19 PCB Hardware Overview 3-1 Hardware Overview 3.1 Hardware Overview The Dolphin demonstration and development kit (Dolphin demo) provides a stand-alone demonstration of a bidirectional frequency hopping link using the MSP430F135 digital baseband and the TRF6903 RF transceiver. The TRF6903 ISM-band transceiver IC operates from 315 MHz to 950 MHz. It has low power consumption and an operating voltage of 2.2 V to 3.6 V. It features an integer-N PLL synthesizer and supports FSK and OOK operation. Other features include on-chip clock recovery, brownout detector, and XTAL frequency trimming in software. The default Dolphin system design parameters are shown in Table 3-1. Table 3-1. Initial System Design Specifications Operating Band Crystal Frequency 19.6608 MHz Reference Divider 48 PLL Reference Frequency Charge Pump Current 409.6 kHz 0.5 mA Modulation FSK Coding Scheme NRZ Peak-to-Peak Frequency Deviation Default RF Data rate 3-2 915 MHz 100 kHz (50 kHz) 38.4 kbps Hardware Overview 3.1.1 TRF6903 Block Diagram Figure 3-1 shows the block diagram of the TRF6903 ISM transceiver IC. Figure 3-1. TRF6903 Block Diagram PCB Hardware Overview 3-3 Hardware Overview 3.1.2 MSP430F135 Block Diagram Figure 3-2 shows the block diagram of the MSP430F135 microcontroller IC. Figure 3-2. MSP430F13x Block Diagram 3-4 Low Power Version 3.2 Low Power Version The Dolphin demo kit is offered in two versions. - Low power (LP) version (transmit power of +7 dBm max) - High power (HP) version (transmit power of +23 dBm max) using an external PA The low power version board is explained in the following sections. All the schematics and BOM for the Dolphin LP and HP demonstration boards can be found at http://www.ti.com/ismrf. 3.2.1 Overview The low power version of the Dolphin demo kit is shown in Figure 3-3. Figure 3-3. Dolphin Low Power Board MSP430F135 Digital baseband 3903 RF Transceiver The performance of the Dolphin LP board is summarized in Table 3-2. For detailed LP board performance results, see Appendix A. Table 3-2. Low Power (LP) Board Performance Summary Mode Parameter Transmit current Transmit Receive Standby Output power Value Units 35.3 mA 7 dBm 210 kHz Peak-peak deviation 100 kHz Receive current 18.8 mA Sensitivity -101 dBm LO power level -97.7 dBm Standby current 0.1 A 20-dB modulated bandwidth PCB Hardware Overview 3-5 Low Power Version 3.2.2 Schematics The schematic of the LP board is shown in Figure 3-4. Figure 3-4. Low Power Board Schematic 3-6 Low Power Version 3.2.3 Top and Bottom Side of the LP Board Figure 3-5 and Figure 3-6 show the top-side and bottom-side circuit board for the LP version Dolphin demo board. Figure 3-5. Top Side (LP Version) PCB Hardware Overview 3-7 Low Power Version Figure 3-6. Bottom Side (LP Version) 3-8 Low Power Version 3.2.4 BOM for the LP Version Reference Value Tol. Voltage / Power Manufa cturer Description ??? ANTENNA WIRE-22AWG- 2.9" LENGTH Substitute PCB Decal Qty 1 1 ANT1 2 3 C16, C17, C19 2.2 pF 0.25 pF 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 3 4 C2, C4, C9, C10 2.7 pF 0.25 pF 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 4 1 C3 4.7 pF 0.25 pF 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 5 1 C15 6.8 pF 0.5 pF 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 6 6 C1, C5, C8, C18, C28, C30 22 pF 5% 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 7 1 C27 27 pF 5% 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 8 2 C36, C37 39 pF 5% 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 9 1 C22 68 pF 5% 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 10 2 C31, C34 82 pF 5% 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 11 2 C20, C35 100 pF 5% 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 12 2 C23, C32 120 pF 5% 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 13 1 C42 1 nF 10% 50 V X7R Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 14 1 C29 2.2 nF 10% 50 V X7R Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 15 1 C24 4.7 nF 10% 50 V X7R Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 16 1 C26 10 nF 10% 50 V X7R Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 17 16 C6, C7, C12, C13, C21, C25, C38, C39, C43, C44, C45, C46, C48, C50, C51, C52 100 nF 10% 16 V X7R Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 18 1 C47 220 nF 10% 10 V X5R Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 ??? Part Number Supplier Item SIP-1P PCB Hardware Overview 3-9 Low Power Version Item Qty 19 Voltage / Power Manufa cturer Reference Value Tol. 3 C14, C40, C49 10 F 10% 20 1 CF1 21 1 CRS1 22 1 D1 Fairchild 23 1 D2 24 1 D3 25 1 26 Part Number 10 W VDC Description Supplier Substitute Surface Mount Tantalum Capacitor 'A' Case Size PCB Decal 3216 Fc = 10.7 MHz, BW = 330 kHz Murata SFECS10M7 EA00-R0 PIEZOELECTRI C Ceramic Filter Murata- SFECS 10.7 MHz Murata ERIE CDSCB10M7 GA119-R0 Two Pin Ceramic Resonator Murata- CDSCB MMBD914 High Condition Ultra Fast Diode SOT23 General Semicon ductor 1N4148WS Small Signal Switching Diode SOD-323 Diodes INC BAT42WS-7 SMT Schottky Diode SOD-323 J1 Johnson Compon ents 142-0711-82 1 0.062 Narrow Edge Mount SMA Connector SMA- NARROW 1 J2 3M 929834-02-0 4 Four Pin 0.1" Header Make From 3M 929834- 02-36 SIP-4P 27 1 J3 3M 929647-02-0 6 Six Pin 0.1" Strip Header Make From 3M 929647- 02-36 SIP-6P 28 1 J4 3M 2514-6002UB 7X2 Low Profile Shrouded Male Header Header 7X2-POL 29 1 J5 AMP 640456-2 Two Pin 0.1" Polarized Friction Lock Header AMP6404 56-2 30 1 L3 220 H (NP) 5% TOKO FSLM2520-2 21J Chip Inductor 1008 31 1 L4 10 nH 5% TOKO LL1608-FS10 NJ 0603 Size Chip Inductor TOKO LL1608F H 0603 32 3 L1, L2, L5 8.2 nH 5% TOKO LL1608-FS8N 2J 0603 Size Chip Inductor TOKO LL1608F H 0603 33 2 L6, L7 4.7 nH 10% Murata LQM21NN4R 7K10L SMT Multilayer Inductor 0805 34 2 LED1, LED2 Green LITEON LTST- C170GKT 0805 Size SMT LED 0805-LE D 35 1 PCB1 36 2 R17, R52 NP 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 37 10 R4, R28-R34, R38, R39 0 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 38 14 R1, R35, R36, R40-R50 10 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 3-10 NP 2.1 V, 10 mA TEX02PCB REV E 5% Bare Printed Circuit Board High Power Version Reference Value Tol. Voltage / Power Supplier Substitute PCB Decal 2 R2, R15 100 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 40 2 R26, R27 430 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 41 18 R8-R14, R16, R18-R25, R51, R53 1 k 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 42 1 R6 6.8 k 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 43 1 R5 15 k 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 44 2 R3, R37 100 k 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 45 1 R7 220 k 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 46 1 SHD1 BMI BMIS-103 26,2 mm X 26,2 mm X 5,08 mm RF Shield BMIS-2 03F/203 C BMIS-103 47 2 TP1, TP2 3M 929647-02-0 1 Test Point Pin Make From 3M 929647- 02-36 SIP-1P 48 1 U1 Texas Instrume nts MSP430F135 1IPM Mixed Signal Microcontroller 49 1 U2 Texas Instrume nts TRF6903 Single Chip FHSS RF Transceiver QFP48-3 50 1 U3 Texas Instrume nts TPS3838J25 DBV Nanopower Supervisory Circuit SOT23-5 51 1 U4 Skywork s AS222-92 PHEMT IC SPDT Gas Switch 52 1 X1 19.6608 MHz 20 ppm Crystek 17119 SMT Quart Crystal ECS- ECX-64 53 1 X2 4 MHz 50 ppm CSM-7 Style SMT Crystal ECS- CSM-7 54 1 C11 10 F (NP) 10% Item Qty 39 Note: CL 12 pF Manufa cturer ECS 10 W VDC Part Number ECS-40-20- 5P Description QFP64 AS179- 92 Surface Mount Tantalum Capacitor 'A' Case Size SOT363 3216 NP = Not Populated 3.3 High Power Version 3.3.1 Overview The Dolphin high power board is designed to obtain output powers of up to +23 dBm using an external PA. The maximum output power of +23 dBm is obtained with VCC = 3.6 V. If the demo board is powered using two AA batteries (VCC = 3 V), the output power is +20 dBm. The external PA used is RFMD RF2172. The data sheet for this external PA can be downloaded from the http://www.rfmd.com/DataBooks/db97/2172.pdf website. The high power dolphin board is shown in Figure 3-7. PCB Hardware Overview 3-11 High Power Version Figure 3-7. High Power (HP) Board RF RFMD TRF6903 External PA Shield MSP430F135 The performance of the HP board is displayed in Table 3-3. For detailed HP board performance results, see Appendix A. Table 3-3. HP Board Performance Mode Parameter Transmit current Transmit Receive Standby 3-12 VCC = 3 V VCC = 3.6 V Units 147.9 190.3 mA Output power 20 23 dBm 20-dB modulated bandwidth 210 210 kHz Peak-peak deviation 100 100 kHz Receive current 18.8 18.8 mA Sensitivity -102 -102 dBm LO power level -97.7 -97.7 dBm Standby current 0.1 0.1 A High Power Version 3.3.2 Schematics The schematic of the HP board is shown in Figure 3-8. Figure 3-8. HP Board Schematic PCB Hardware Overview 3-13 High Power Version 3.3.3 Different Layers of the HP Board Top, bottom, and middle layers of the four layer HP board are shown in Figure 3-9 and Figure 3-10. Figure 3-9. Top Layer and Layer 2 (HP Version) 3-14 High Power Version Figure 3-10. Bottom Layer and Layer 3 (HP Version) PCB Hardware Overview 3-15 High Power Version 3.3.4 BOM for the HP Version Item Qty Reference Value Tol. 1 1 ANT1 2 1 C71 0.5 pF 0.1 pF 3 1 C2 1.8 pF 4 1 C62 5 2 6 Voltage / Power Manufacturer Part Number Description Supplier Substitute PCB Decal TBD TEX03ANT 2.9", 22 AWG Antenna Wire 250 V NPO ATC ATC600S0R5B W250 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 0.1 pF 250 V NPO ATC ATC600S1R8B W250 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 2.2 pF 0.1 pF 250 V NPO ATC ATC600S2R2B W250 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 C60, C76 3.3 pF 0.1 pF 250 V NPO ATC ATC600S3R3B W250 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 3 C1, C3, C70 3.9 pF 0.25 pF 250 V NPO ATC ATC600S3R9C W250 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 7 1 C61 5.6 pF 0.25 pF 250 V NPO ATC ATC600S5R6C W250 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 8 1 C77 10 pF 5% 250 V NPO ATC ATC600S100J W250 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 9 1 C72 20 pF 5% 250 V NPO ATC ATC600S200J W250 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 10 1 C73 100 pF 5% 250 V NPO ATC ATC600S101J W250 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 11 6 C55, C56, C57, C59, C67, C78 NP 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 12 3 C16 C17 C19 2.2 pF 0.25 pF 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 13 11 22 pF 5% 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 14 1 C5, C8, C9, C10, C1,8 C28, C30, C53, C54, C64, C65 C27 27 pF 5% 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 15 2 C36, C37 39 pF 5% 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 16 1 C22 68 pF 5% 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 17 2 C31, C34 82 pF 5% 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 18 2 C20, C35 100 pF 5% 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 19 2 C23, C32 120 pF 5% 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 20 2 C42, C68 1 nF 5% 50 V NPO Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 21 1 C29 2.2 nF 10% 50 V X7R Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 22 1 C24 4.7 nF 10% 50 V X7R Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 23 5 C58, C63, C66, C74, C75 22 nF 10% 50 V X7R Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 24 7 C7, C25, C38, C39, C41, C43, C48 100 nF 10% 16 V X7R Any 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Any Any 0603 3-16 SIP-1P High Power Version Value Tol. Voltage / Power Manufacturer 220 nF 10% 10 V X7R Any C4, C6, C40, C49, C795 10 F 10% 10 WVDC 1 CF1 Fc = 10.7 MHz, BW = 330 kHz Murata 28 1 CRS1 10.7 MHz Murata Erie 29 1 D1 30 1 D2 31 1 D3 32 1 J1 33 1 34 Item Qty Reference 25 1 C47 26 5 27 Part Number Description 0603 Size SMT Ceramic Capacitor Supplier Substitute Any Any PCB Decal 0603 Surface Mount Tant. Capacitor 'A' Case Size 3216 SFECS10M7EA 00-R0 Piezoelectric Ceramic Filter MURATA-S FECS CDSCB10M7G A119-R0 Two Pin Ceramic Resonator MURATA-C DSCB Fairchild MMBD914 High Cond. Ultra Fast Diode SOT23 GEN. SEMI. 1N4148WS Small Signal Switching Diode SOD-323 Diodes Inc. BAT42WS-7 SMT Schottky Diode SOD-323 Johnson Components 142-0711-821 0.062 Narrow Edge Mount SMA Connector SMA-Narro w J2 3M 929834-02-04 Four Pin 0.1" Header MAKE FROM 3M 929834-02 -36 SIP-4P 1 J3 3M 929647-02-06 Six Pin 0.1" Srip Header MAKE FROM 3M 929647-02 -36 SIP-6P 35 1 J4 3M 2514-6002UB 7X2 Low Profile Shrouded Male Header Header 7X2-POL 36 1 J5 AMP 640456-2 Two Pin 0.1" Polarized Friction Lock Header AMP640456 -2 37 1 L16 38 2 39 NP 220 H (NP) 5% TOKO FSLM2520-221 J Chip Inductor 1008 L6 L7 4.7 H 10% Murata LQM21NN4R7K 10L Chip Inductor 1008 1 L4 10 nH 5% TOKO LL1608-FS10N J 0603 Size Chip Inductor TOKO LL1608FH 0603 40 1 L15 1.8 nH 0.3 nH TOKO LL1608-FS1N8 S 0603 Size Chip Inductor TOKO LL1608FH 0603 41 2 L13, L14 3.9 nH 0.3 nH TOKO LL1608-FS3N9 S 0603 Size Chip Inductor TOKO LL1608FH 0603 42 1 L11 4.7 nH 0.3 nH TOKO LL1608-FS4N7 S 0603 Size Chip Inductor TOKO LL1608FH 0603 43 1 L12 6.8 nH 5% TOKO LL1608-FS6N8 J 0603 Size Chip Inductor TOKO LL1608FH 0603 44 3 L1, L2, L5 8.2 nH 5% TOKO LL1608-FS8N2 J 0603 Size Chip Inductor TOKO LL1608FH 0603 45 2 L9, L10 0603 Size Chip Inductor TOKO LL1608FH 0603 46 2 LED1, LED2 47 1 Q1 48 14 R1, R2, R28-R35, R38, R41, R43, R52 0 49 5 R35, R36, R40, R60, R61 10 50 1 R51 51 3 52 2 NP TOKO Green 2.1 V 10 mA LITEON LTST-C170GK T 0805 Size SMT LED 0805-LED ROHM UMT3906 General Purpose PNP SiliconTransistor SOT323 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 18 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 R55, R63, R70 100 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 R49, R50 300 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 PCB Hardware Overview 3-17 High Power Version Value Tol. Voltage / Power Manufacturer Supplier Substitute R26, R27 430 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 1 R53 510 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 55 18 R8-R16, R18-R25, R64 1 k 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 56 2 R54, R56 3.3 k 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 57 2 R6, R57 6.8 k 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 58 1 R5 15 k 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 59 1 R58 22 k 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 60 1 R59 33 k 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 61 2 R37, R71 100 k 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 62 1 R7 220 k 5% 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 63 6 R3, R4, R39, R42, R68, R69 NP 1/16 W Any 0603 Surface Mount Resistor Any Any 0603 64 1 SF1 NP 65 1 SF2 66 1 SHD1 67 1 SHD3 68 1 U1 RF Microdevices 69 1 U2 70 1 U3 71 1 U4 72 1 U5 73 1 U6 NP 74 1 X1 19.66 08 MHz 20 ppm 75 1 X2 4 MHz 50 ppm 76 1 PCB1 77 6 C80 Item Qty 53 2 54 Note: 3-18 Reference Part Number Description PCB Decal EPCOS B39921-B4637 -Z610 Low Loss Filter Murata-SA FC EPCOS B39921-B4637 -Z610 Low Loss Filter Murata-SA FC BMI BMIS-105 25 MM X 37,7 MM X 5,08 MM RF Shield BMIS-205 F/205C BMIS-105 BMI BMIS-102 16,5 MM X 16,5 MM X 3,6 MM RF Shield BMIS-202 F/202C BMIS-102 RF2172 ISM Band 250 mW Amp RFMD-LCC 16_SLUG Texas Instruments TRF6903 Single Chip FHSS RF Transceiver QFP48-3 2.5 V Texas Instruments TPS3838J25DB V Nanopower Supervisory Circuit Requir es progra mming Texas Instruments MSP430C1351I PM Mixed Signal Microncontroller, ROM Version QFP64 AS179-92 PHEMT IC SPDT GaAs Switch SOT363 REG101NA-A Low Dropout Linear Regulator SOT23-5 17119 SMT Quartz Crystal ECS-ECX- 64 ECS ECS-40-20-5P CSM-7 Style SMT Crystal ECS-CSM- 7 TBD TEX03PCB REV B Bare Printed Circuit Board Skyworks 10 F (NP) NP = Not Populated 10% 100 mA Texas Instruments / Burr Brown CL 12 pF Crystek 10 WVDC Surface Mount Tant. Capacitor 'A' Case Size SOT23-5 3216 Other Hardware Features 3.4 Other Hardware Features The external hardware features used for the Dolphin demo kit are detailed in this section. See the TRF6903 design guide (SWRU009) for more in depth discussion of external components used in the transmit and receive path. 3.4.1 Dolphin Interface Board The Dolphin demo kit consists of an interface board that consists of circuitry for serial interface between the host PC (with the evaluation software) and the hardware UART of the MSP430DBB device. The interface board also supplies power to the RF module and features a low voltage detector circuit for battery powered operation. The board features are summarized below. The schematic is shown in Figure 3-11 and the top side of the PCB is shown in Figure 3-12. - On-board DB-9 connector - Serial Line Driver - Two AA Battery Holder - Jumper for External DC Power Supply - Low Voltage Detector (<2.2 V) Figure 3-11. Dolphin Interface Board Schematic PCB Hardware Overview 3-19 Other Hardware Features Figure 3-12. Top-Side Assembly of the Interface Board 3.4.2 Antenna and RF Shield Both the LP and HP boards use a low cost solid 20 gauge wire antenna. The length has been trimmed to provide an input return loss of at least 10 dB across the 902-MHz to 928-MHz frequency band. With the wire antenna removed, room has been provided on the boards to use a commercially available antenna. In this case, use a reverse polarity SMA connector to remain FCC compliant. See the TRF6903 design guide (SWRU009) Section 8.6 for a complete list of various antenna manufacturers/suppliers. A standard size RF shield has to be used to ensure that the radiated emissions are FCC compliant. See Section 3.3.4 for information on the manufacturer and part number for the RF shield used with the Dolphin demo kit. 3.4.3 Discrete LC Filter for Harmonic Suppression The second and third harmonics generated by the TRF6903 power amplifier are typically -25 dBc and -30 dBc respectively, see the TRF6903 data sheet (SWRS022). If higher suppression is needed, the second and third harmonics 3-20 Other Hardware Features can be attenuated (to meet governmental regulations) through the use of a discrete LC filter or a SAW filter. However, for most applications an external SAW filter or discrete LC filter may not be necessary. A discrete LC filter, if needed, is the preferred method to gain additional suppression. The discrete LC filter for the low power Dolphin demo kit is shown in Figure 3-13. The filter must have low insertion loss in the RF pass band to avoid excessive loss of signal. This two stage filter attenuates the harmonics to be at least 6 dB below the estimated conducted FCC limit. The FCC limits are in terms of radiated emissions (electric field), measured at a three meter distance. It can be shown that the relationship between the conducted power and the electric field can be estimated using: P = E - 95.2, where P is in dBm and E is in dB V/m. An antenna gain of 0 dBi is assumed. Figure 3-13. Discrete LC Filter C C1 C=2.7 pF 3.4.4 L L1 L=8.2 nH R = TBD C C2 C=4.7 pF L L2 L=8.2 nH R = TBD C C3 C=2.7 pF IF Filter The recommended IF filter is a Murata SFECS10M7EA00-R0, which is a 10.7-MHz ceramic filter with a bandwidth of 330 kHz. The frequency characteristics of recommended Murata SFECS10M7EA00 330 kHz filter is shown in the Figure 3-14. The center frequency of this filter varies by 30 kHz and the 3-dB bandwidth varies by as much as 50 kHz. This is summarized in Table 3-4. Table 3-4. Murata IF Filter SFECS10M7EA00-R0 Center Frequency (MHz) 3-dB Bandwidth (kHz) Attentuation (kHz) Insertion Loss (dB) Spurious Attentuation (dB) Input/Output Impedance (W) 10.7 30 kHz 330 50 kHz 700 max 3 2 30 min 330 PCB Hardware Overview 3-21 Other Hardware Features Figure 3-14. Recommended IF Filter Response 3.4.5 Ceramic Discriminator FSK demodulation (frequency to amplitude conversion) is accomplished through an external ceramic discriminator. The recommended discriminator is the MURATA CDSCB10M7GA119-R0. The frequency characteristics are shown in Figure 3-15 and the specifications are tabulated in Table 3-5. Table 3-5. Murata Ceramic Discriminator CDSCB10M7GA119-R0 Center Frequency (MHz) Recovered Audio 3-dB Bandwidth (kHz) Distortion (%) Detection Method 10.7 30 kHz 500 min 1 max Quadrature 3-22 Other Hardware Features Figure 3-15. Murata Ceramic Discriminator - Frequency Characteristics 3.4.6 TR Switch Using a TR switch allows a separate but individually optimized impedance match between the antenna and the transmit path or receive path. Transmit power and receive sensitivity can be degraded by as much as 3 to 5 dB if a common port configuration is used instead of a TR switch. The recommended TR switch is Skyworks AS222-92 with a typical insertion loss of 0.3 dB and isolation of 27 dB at 900 MHz. 3.4.7 External Crystal for the TRF6903 The default clock crystal for the TRF6903 is Crystek 017119, 19.6608 MHz. The TRF6903 works with other clock frequencies from 9.5 to 20 MHz. Other crystals include Citizen CS10, HCM49 and HC49US, ECS-196.6-20-5P, SMI 97SMX, and ICM HC45U. Table 3-6. Example Crystal Information: Crystek 017119 CHARACTERISTIC Overall tolerance Operating temperature Load capacitance Shunt capacitance Drive level VALUE 45 ppm 40C to +80C 12 pF 2 pF 100 W PCB Hardware Overview 3-23 Chapter 4 #$ This chapter describes the external control software used for RF test and evaluation. This chapter can be used as the evaluation software user's guide. Topic Page 4.1 Software Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2 4.2 Software Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3 4.3 Setting Up and Testing a Wireless Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10 Software Overview 4-1 Software Description 4.1 Software Description The external control software is used to evaluate the performance of the Dolphin demo kit. It interfaces to the MSP430F135 DBB using a UART interface as shown in Figure 4-2. The features provided by this control software are explained in the following sections. A screen shot of the evaluation software is shown in Figure 4-1. The Dolphin demo kit is been provided with this evaluation software to communicate with the MSP430F135 DBB using a UART interface with a defined protocol. This host interface protocol document is detailed in the Dolphin Host Interface Protocol Definition application report (SWRA043). Figure 4-1. Evaluation Software- Main Screen 4-2 Software Setup 4.2 Software Setup Install the evaluation test tool using the self extracting setup program and execute the TRF6915_EvaluationTool.exe to start the program. Before communication with the module is possible it is necessary to initialize the serial port. Pull down the Settings menu and click the Communications entry. The screen shown in Figure 4-2 appears. Figure 4-2. Communication Setup Screen Under Settings Pull Down Menu Click the Auto Detect button to cause the computer to search for the Dolphin module. When successful communication occurs, the status line on the bottom of the screen updates with the name of the COM port, the baud rate at which it is communicating, and a status message. By clicking the Get Version button the module returns the firmware version number and date. 4.2.1 Setting Device Identification The Dolphin supports both point-point and broadcast networks and is configured through the ID's tab in the evaluation software. The evaluation software supports hierarchical device definition and is defined as follows. Each transceiver is defined by a unique 16-bit ID and can be set by clicking the Set Txcvr ID button in the IDs tab. Each transceiver has an associated 16-bit network ID (set by clicking the Set Network ID button) and 16-bit System ID (set by clicking the Set System ID button) thus resulting in a 48-bit unique ID. Up to 65536 transceivers can be configured to operate in a system (with unique System ID). Only transceivers with the same system and Network ID's will be able to communicate with each other. This is summarized below and is shown in Figure 4-1. Software Overview 4-3 Software Setup 4.2.1.1 Transceiver ID - Set Transceiver ID - Set Transceiver ID (0-65534) Note: 65535 is reserved for general broadcast address - Get Transceiver ID - Returns stored value 4.2.1.2 Network ID - Set Network ID - Range 0 to 65535 - Get Network ID - Returns stored value 4.2.1.3 System ID - Unique Manufacturers ID - Set System ID - Range 0 to 65535 - Get System ID - Returns stored value 4.2.2 RF Settings The RF settings page can be accessed by selecting the RF Settings tab in the software and is shown in Figure 4-3. The following features are provided in the RF settings page. - Enable or disable acknowledgements. - Set the number of message retries (range 0-20). - Set hop table - (range 0-14) Note: All devices in the network must use the same hop table. - Set RF channel operating mode (single-channel or frequency hopping). - Enable or disable receive all RF messages. 4-4 Software Setup Figure 4-3. RF Settings Screen 4.2.3 Statistics The statistics page can be selected by clicking the Statistics tab in the software. This is shown in Figure 4-4. The statistics option can be used to evaluate the wireless link for packet error rates and throughput. Software Overview 4-5 Software Setup Figure 4-4. Statistics Settings Screen The various fields in the statistics page are explained below. 1) Packets Sent Total: Total number of packets transmitted, including retries. Unique: Number of message sessions initiated. 2) Acknowledgements (ACK) Sent Total: Total number of acknowledgements sent by receiver. Unique: Number of unique acknowledgements sent by receiver. 3) Packets Received Total: Number of packets received, including retries. Unique: Number of unique sessions seen by receiver. 4) Acks Received Total: Total number of acknowledgements seen by transmitter. Unique: Number of unique acknowledgements seen by transmitter 5) Evaluation Program Statistics The window toward the bottom the page labeled Evaluation Program contains information about the integrity of the link between the host computer and the radio board. 4-6 Software Setup 4.2.4 Test Settings The test settings page can be selected by clicking the Test Settings tab in the software. This is shown in Figure 4-5. The Dolphin can be configured to be in the test mode to evaluate the RF performance of the TRF6903. The test mode provides an option to configure and program the TRF6903 registers. This allows the system designers additional flexibility to evaluate all the features of the TRF6903 for their application-specific needs. For detailed definition of the TRF6903 see the TRF6903 data sheet (SWRS022). In order to evaluate the TRF6903 in test mode, the Dolphin evaluation board needs to be connected to the spectrum analyzer through an SMA connector. Figure 4-5. Test Settings Screen 4.2.4.1 Transmit Test Plan To evaluate the TRF6903 in transmit mode, the following steps are needed - Connect the SMA connector (PA output) to the spectrum analyzer - Go the test setting tab in the evaluation software as shown in Figure 4-5. - Click Test Mode -> Enabled - Choose Mode -> Mode 0 (Default). All the TRF6903 register values are set to default values. - Click Set Registers - A CW signal at 915.0464 MHz is observed with a power level of 7 dBm in low power board and +20 dBm in high power board. See the TRF6903 data sheet (SWRS022) for more details on the TRF6903 register settings. Software Overview 4-7 Software Setup This is illustrated in Figure 4-6. Figure 4-6. Test Settings Transmit Mode Spectrum Analyzer Serial Interface Board with DB-9 Connector Dolphin Demo Board Cable SMA Cable TX PC with Evaluation Software - Transmit Mode 4.2.4.2 Receive Test Plan To evaluate the TRF6903 in the receive mode, the following steps are required: 1) Connect the SMA connector (LNA input) to a RF signal generator (Rohde and Schwartz SMIQ07 for example). 2) Choose Mode -> Mode 1 (receive mode). By default the LO frequency is set to 904.3968 MHz. 3) Click Set Registers 4) Set the RF signal generator center frequency to 904.3968 + 10.7 = 915.0968 MHz to obtain low-side injection. 5) Set the RF Power level to < -30 dBm to avoid saturating the LNA. 6) Set the modulation settings to 19.2 kHz and frequency deviation of 50 kHz. 7) Turn the RF power and the modulation ON. 8) A demodulated square wave at 19.2 kHz (38.4 kbps NRZ) can be observed at the RXDATA terminal of the TRF6903. This is illustrated in Figure 4-7. 4-8 Software Setup Figure 4-7. Test Settings Receive Mode RF Signal Generator with 19.2 kHz Modulated FSK at 915.0968 MHz and 50 kHz deviation. SMA Cable Interface Board With DB-9 Connector Dolphin Demo Board RXDATA RX PC with Evaluation Software - Receive Mode DCLK Oscilloscope 4.2.5 Communication Settings The communication settings page can be selected by clicking the Comm tab in the software .This is shown in Figure 4-8.The serial port baud rate can be set by using this option. Note: Once the serial port baud rate is changed from the default value (19.2 kbps) the Settings->Communications->AutoDetect option has to be chosen to synchronize the baud rates between the evaluation software and the hardware UART of the MSP430. Software Overview 4-9 Setting Up and Testing a Wireless Link Figure 4-8. Transceiver Bit Rate Settings Screen 4.3 Setting Up and Testing a Wireless Link Operational testing of the unit requires at least two units in order to establish a link. One unit will be the initiator and the other will be the responder. In order for a link to be established, it is necessary to setup the transceiver identification numbers, hop tables, network identification, and system identification. Link testing may be performed in either a single ended or a round trip fashion. This can help to differentiate between real world packet error performance and raw radio performance. If acknowledgement settings are not used then it's a single-ended test if not it's a round trip test. 4.3.1 Single-Ended Test Single-ended performance requires two computers, since it will be necessary to read the statistics from each radio. Start by setting the hop table, system identification, and network identification to match on both ends of the system as shown in Figure 4-9. If you are unsure about what values to use, a good default is hop table 0, and network and system ID's set to 1. Set different transceiver identification values for each radio. Values of 1 and 2 will suffice for testing. Figure 4-7 shows the correct setup screen for the initiating transceiver. The destination transceiver ID has to be inserted in the Dest ID field. 4-10 Setting Up and Testing a Wireless Link Place the two units in physically separate locations and apply power to them. The statistics clear when power is cycled, but they need to be cleared manually after each test if power is not cycled. Connect the PC serial port to one of the units and bring up the ID screen. Type the transceiver ID number for the remote unit into the Dest ID field at the upper left of the screen. Type a short message into the RF Data window. The message can be any text or numbers. If no message is entered it will not be possible to transmit. Set the Repeat Delay to 100 ms if it isn't already set. Click the Repeat button to start transmission. The radio sends one message every 100 ms until the Stop Repeat button is clicked. Allow the test to run for some convenient amount of time and then stop transmission. Go to the Statistics screen to read the number of unique messages sent. Record this number and read the Packets Received statistic from the computer connected to the receiving transceiver. Link success is simply the ratio of the Packets Received to the Packets Sent. This test gives the raw performance of the link in one direction without retries. It is a good indicator of the RF environment in which the radios are being used. High levels of noise or other products operating in the 900-MHz ISM band can cause lower packet success rates. Figure 4-9. ID Setup for Single-Ended Link Test Software Overview 4-11 Setting Up and Testing a Wireless Link 4.3.2 Round Trip Test To test the ability of the system to retry messages in a noisy environment it is necessary to use a round trip test where the remote end can acknowledge receipt of packets. Use the setup screen as shown in Figure 4-9, but enable acknowledgements and retries. Perform the test in the same manner as the single ended test. Run enough transmissions to get a statistically valid sampling of the radio environment over a reasonable period of time. Look at the Statistics screen on the initiating radio to find the number of unique transmissions and the total number of transmissions. The total will likely be higher then the unique due to retried messages. The important numbers are the Unique packets sent and the Acks Received. Total link success is the ratio of Acks Received to unique Packets Sent. Statistics are automatically calculated and displayed at the bottom of the screen. It has been found through previous tests that there may be message failures with three retries. In a noisy environment, it is possible to see success rates between 96% and 99%. Increasing the number to six has resulted in success rates of over 99.99%. 4.3.3 Single Transmission A message may also be sent only once using the Send Single Msg button. The user should be aware that this function contains a feature to reduce network clutter and eliminate redundant messages. If a message is sent with this function, and it is successfully acknowledged by the remote end, it will not be possible to send that same message again. The Pkt ID field must be manually updated to generate a new message that is different from the last message. 4-12 Chapter 5 % This chapter describes the system level protocol along with the firmware implementation for the Dolphin demo kit. Topic Page 5.1 Protocol Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2 5.2 Firmware Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 Protocol and Firmware Overview 5-1 Protocol Overview 5.1 Protocol Overview This section discusses the RF transmit and receive protocols implemented in the TR6915 firmware. The transmit and receive path logic diagrams are also presented. 5.1.1 RF Transmit / Receive Protocol Overview The two modes of operation for the Dolphin chipset are single-channel mode and hop mode. The main difference between the two modes is the TX preamble length. Single channel mode requires considerably less preamble time since the RF Channel for communication is known. Hop mode uses a 70 ms preamble which consists of 010101... sequence (see Figure 5-1). This preamble length allows the receive device 1.4 ms per channel (50 channels x 1.4 ms = 70 ms) to sync up with the transmit device. Once both devices are on the same channel through the receive device determining a valid preamble, a sync pattern occurs between the TX and RX device with a 00110011... sequence. After the devices are in sync, the TX device communicates with the RX device as stated in the host protocol document. Note that the next message to be communicated by the TX device occurs on another channel in the current mode of operation. Figure 5-1. RF Overhead in Hop Mode Host Protocol Preamble 0101.... 70 mS Sync Pattern 00110011..... Single-channel transmit protocol (see Figure 5-2) is similar to the hop mode preamble with the exception of the preamble length. Since the RF channel is preselected, the preamble length required in single channel mode is 4 ms. 5-2 Protocol Overview Figure 5-2. RF Overhead in Single-Channel Mode Host Protocol Preamble 0101.... 4 mS 5.1.2 Sync Pattern 00110011..... RF Transmit Logic Diagram The RF transmit side logic diagram is shown in Figure 5-3. The logic diagram shows the various steps performed to transmit a host message from the evaluation software wirelessly over to the receiver. The RF receive side logic diagram is shown in Figure 5-4. Protocol and Firmware Overview 5-3 Protocol Overview Figure 5-3. Transmit-Side Logic Diagram Receive Host Message Transmit RF Preamble and N Ack Timeout 1 2 Sync Pattern Y Transmit Header, N Retries Enabled Data, and CRC Y Acks Enabled? N Send Ack to Host Go into Receive Mode Y Retry Count = 0? Y Send Nack to Host N Set Wait Timer for Acks Decrement Retry Count Set Retry Count as Determined by Host Hop to Next Channel Hop To Next Channel in Hop Table and Wait for Acknowledgement 2 N Y Received Msg? N 5-4 Resend RF Msg Y Received Ack? 1 Go Into Receive Mode Protocol Overview 5.1.3 RF Receive Logic Diagram Figure 5-4. Receive-Side Logic Diagram Scan X Channel in Hop Table 1 N Receive All Enabled? Set 1.4mS Channel Timer Scan X+1 Channel in Hop Table Y N Get Source ID of TX Device and Data Payload CRC Correct? Y Send Data Msg to Host Is Dest ID Broadcast (FF)? N Y Is Dest ID Our ID? N N Y Get Source ID of TX Device and Data Payload Y (TYPE) Data or Ack? Y N Valid Preamble and Timer not Equat to 0? Valid Sync Pattern? 1 Ack N CRC Correct? Data Y Valid System ID? N Send Data Msg to Host Y Valid Network ID? N Acks Enabled? Y Get Destination ID N Y Send RF Ack to Originating Device 1 Protocol and Firmware Overview 5-5 Firmware Overview 5.2 Firmware Overview This section discusses parts of the firmware implemented in the Dolphin FHSS chipset solution. 5.2.1 Implementation of Frequency-Hopping Protocol FHSS is an acronym for frequency-hopping spread spectrum. FHSS system implements a signal that hops in a random sequence from frequency to frequency as determined by firmware. The hop table selected determines the random sequence for the transmitter and the receiver. The Dolphin chipset firmware implementation specifics are described in the following paragraph and shown in Figure 5-5. First, the transmit and receive devices must be set to identical hop tables. The originating device once activated to transmit transmits data on a random channel determined by firmware. The receive device scans each channel looking for the TX preamble consisting of a 0101... sequence. Once the receive device determines a valid preamble it remains on the valid channel. Once the originating device transmits the 70-ms preamble it sends the sync pattern with the sequence of 00110011... The receive device syncs up with the originating device and prepares to receive valid data. Upon receiving valid data the receiver hops to the next channel predetermined by firmware to transmit an acknowledgement to the originating device. The originating device goes into receive mode after transmission and listens for the acknowledgement on the next channel determined by firmware. Upon successful communication, the originating device passes to the host a successful transmission acknowledgement from the intended receiver. (Acknowledgements must be enabled) Figure 5-5. Protocol Overview Transmit Device Transmits 70-ms Preamble On Specific Channel Determined by Hop Table Originating Device Transmits Sync Patter to Eliminate Erroneous Data From Being Received by the Receiving Device Transmits Message Data Receives ACK on Next Channel of Hop Table Receive Message Data Transmits ACK on Next Channel of Hop Table Originating Device Protocol Receive Device Scans Each Channel Until It Verifies TX Preamble and Remains On Current Channel Until Data Is Complete Receive Device DeterminesSync Patter Receive Device Protocol 5-6 Chapter 6 &% This chapter provides an overview of the architectures that Dolphin supports along with some examples of sample applications that are based on the Dolphin solution. Topic Page 6.1 Network Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 6.2 Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4 Applications 6-1 Network Architecture 6.1 Network Architecture This section discusses the different network topologies supported by the Dolphin chipset solution. Dolphin supports the following network architectural topologies. - Point-Point - Broadcast 6.1.1 Point-Point Architecture The point-point architecture can be configured into the following topologies: - Star (See Figure 6-1) - Ring (See Figure 6-2) - Complete (See Figure 6-3) Note: The firmware on the Dolphin chipset supports the Complete point-point architecture. The Star and Ring topologies are subsets of the Complete topology and minor changes in the firmware needs to be done to implement them. Note: The star topology (see Figure 6-1) is a master-slave configuration. In the above illustration, the Transceiver ID 0 is the master and the rest of the transceivers are slaves under the System ID 1. Slaves communicate with each other through the Master. Figure 6-1. Star Topology TxCvr ID 2 TxCvr ID 1 TxCvr ID 0 - Master TxCvr ID 4 TxCvr ID 3 System ID 1 6-2 Network Architecture In the ring topology (see Figure 6-2), all the transceivers are connected in the form of a ring forming a closed network. There is NO central point or the master in the topology. Figure 6-2. Ring Topology TxCvr ID 1 TxCvr ID 2 TxCvr ID 6 TxCvr ID 3 TxCvr ID 4 TxCvr ID 5 System ID 1 In the complete topology (see Figure 6-3), all the nodes are connected to each other and the system is fully connected. The star and ring topologies are subsets of the complete topology. The firmware for the Dolphin chipset supports complete point-point topology. The firmware needs to be customized for any other network topology. Figure 6-3. Complete Topology TxCvr ID 1 TxCvr ID 2 TxCvr ID 6 TxCvr ID 3 TxCvr ID 4 TxCvr ID 5 System ID 1 Applications 6-3 Applications 6.1.2 Broadcast Architecture The Dolphin is designed to support broadcasting. This is enabled by setting the transceiver ID as 65535 in the evaluation program, IDs window. No acknowledgements are supported when broadcast is used. The architecture is shown in Figure 6-4. Figure 6-4. Broadcast Topology TxCvr ID 1 TxCvr ID 2 TxCvr ID 6 TxCvr ID 3 TxCvr ID 5 System ID 1 TxCvr ID 4 In the architecture above, TxCvr ID 6 initiates the broadcast. 6.2 Applications This section discusses wireless metering application based on the Dolphin solution. 6.2.1 Wireless Metering - AMR Automatic meter reading, or AMR, is a fast growing sector of the metering industry. Increasing the speed and accuracy with which meter readings can be taken is the key to improving billing efficiency. There are various technologies which have been proven to be successful in multiple applications: wireless communication using radio frequency (RF) and inductive transmission through wireless contact devices, or touch pads are some of them. Wireless metering is a facility to allow data collection from remote sites. The technology is particularly suited to automated meter reading for electricity, water, and gas utilities, but is equally suited to a wide range of remote monitoring and telemetry applications. 6-4 Applications Automatic meter reading (AMR) technology enables the meter readers to read electric meters remotely, via radio signals. AMR meters are read by specially equipped vehicles, or handheld devices carried by the meter readers. They allow the metering company to provide accurate and timely meter reads each month, simply by driving or walking by one's residence. An overview of the AMR system is shown in Figure 6-5. Figure 6-5. Overview of the AMR System The AMR system can be configured in many ways. Two of them are described below. WALK BY Readings are taken while walking along the route where the meters are located. The reader is equipped with a special transceiver (transmitter /receiver) unit and a hand-held terminal/PC loaded with software that enables him/her to read every meter in the route without having to approach it physically. An RF interrogating signal is sent and every meter within the reception range is activated and responds through a transmitter/receiver unit. The data is later downloaded into the PC in the central office and processed as desired by the software. DRIVE BY The transceiver is installed on a vehicle that is driven along the route where the meters are located. The process is identical to that of the walk-by configuration but the data collection is quicker. An overview of the AMR system using the Dolphin solution is shown in Figure 6-6. Applications 6-5 Applications Figure 6-6. Wireless Metering (AMR) Application Using Dolphin Wireless Remote Site Centralized Meter Reader Dolphin Energy Meter 1 Dolphin Energy Meter 2 Dolphin Central Meter Reader Dolphin Energy Meter 3 System Micro - Application Processor Dolphin Energy Meter n PC For Data Logging The Dolphin low cost radio transceiver is fitted to or integrated with existing metering or monitoring equipment and an interface to that equipment allows local data storage. The data is then transmitted to a central operations center for processing. The energy meters at the remote sites are interfaced to the Dolphin. The DBB in the Dolphin chipset interfaces to the meter hardware and reads the meter value. This value is then transmitted wirelessly using the RF chip in the Dolphin chipset, the TRF6903 RF transceiver. The periodicity of transmissions from the remote unit can be made programmable and can be set to occur from several times per hour to daily or even weekly according to the application. The remote units can go into standby mode when they are not transmitting (with a STANDBY current of 1 A) reducing power consumption and extending battery life dramatically. 6-6 Appendix A The RF test reports for the Dolphin low power and the high power boards are tabulated in this section. Topic Page A.1 RF Test Report for the Low-Power Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2 A.2 RF Test Report for the High-Power Bnad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3 RF Test Reports A-1 A-2 RF Test Reports 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) <250 20 dB mod. BW 0 kHz -21.0 904.3758 -96.77 -100 15.3 177.1 -4.97 23.9 182.0 -5.8 -23.0 95.0 915.0738 915.1213 915.0263 5.90 30.1 0.05 2.2 -40 -18.2 904.3786 -96.48 -100 16.5 177.1 -3.61 26.3 177.1 -7.0 -19.9 93.8 915.0769 915.1238 915.0300 6.75 33.7 0.08 2.9 -40 7.46 40.2 0.11 3.6 -40 -18.2 904.3786 -97.76 -100 17.3 179.6 -2.39 29.8 207.0 -5.8 -20.5 95.0 915.0763 915.1238 915.0288 Unit 7, Revision A3 used for all tests. Component value changes listed below IF filter bandwidth = 330 kHz C27 = 27 pF, C28 = 22 pF, Cint = 17.9 pF RXS = D<19> = 1 = Closed Both LED resistors: R26 = R27 + NP uC section powered with a separate supply. PC interface removed for all current measurements LO f error dBm MHz 904.3968 dBm LO frequency -98 mA kHz dBm mA kHz kHz kHz kHz MHz MHz MHz dBm mA A Units LO power level Sensitivity 23 max -1.0 Receive current 27 typ Output power (15.249) <250 Transmit current SPECTRUM ANALYZER SETTINGS: Output power: 200 MHz f data 0 and 1: 500 MHz 20 dB Mod. BW: 1 MHz Receive LO: 100 kHz Notes: Receive Transmit 20 dB mod. BW 0 100.8 p-p dev 0 915.0968 f center dev. error 915.1472 f data 1 f center error 915.0464 8.0 40 max 4.0 max Goal V f data 0 Output power (15.247) Transmit current Transmit Parameter Standby current Standby Mode deg 0 t Supply V A.1 RF Test Report for the Low-Power Band 25 -4.5 904.3923 -98.90 -101 17.5 204.5 -4.40 25.7 212.0 -10.3 -8.6 90.5 915.0883 915.1335 915.0430 6.03 32.0 0.03 2.2 25 -2.5 904.3943 -97.70 -101 18.8 204.5 -3.06 28.1 209.8 -8.3 -5.0 92.5 915.0918 915.1380 915.0455 6.96 35.3 0.10 2.9 25 -2.2 904.3946 -96.40 -100 19.6 207.0 -1.85 30.9 217.0 -8.3 -5.0 92.5 915.0918 915.1380 915.0455 7.70 39.8 0.10 3.6 85 5.2 904.4020 -96.36 -99 19.1 204.5 -4.15 27.0 209.5 -7.0 2.6 93.8 915.0994 915.1463 915.0525 5.61 33.4 0.62 2.2 85 7.0 904.4038 -97.60 -99 20.6 207.0 -2.76 29.5 204.5 -7.0 5.1 93.8 915.1019 915.1488 915.0550 6.57 36.5 0.77 2.9 95 7.5 904.4043 -94.08 -99 21.3 204.5 -1.52 32.0 199.5 -7.0 5.1 93.8 915.1019 915.1488 915.0550 7.38 40.1 1.11 3.6 RF Test Report for the Low-Power Band 3 20.7 198.8 19.2 -101 20 dB mod. BW Receive current Sensitivity 3) PC interface removed for all current measurements. 2) IF filter bandwidth = 330 kHz 1) Unit 502, Revision B used for all tests. -25.1 f center error 915.07166 Output power f center 132.8 Parameter Supply Voltage (V) Transmit current 20 dB Mod. BW: HP8596E Spectrum Analyzer, 1-MHz span, video averaging on f center: HP 53310A Modulation Domain Analyzer 20 s/division, 50 kHz/division Output power: HP8596E Spectrum Analyzer, 200-MHz span Equipment Settings: Notes: Receive Transmit Mode -40 Temperature (_C) A.2 RF Test Report for the High-Power Band -101 20.9 195 -25.4 915.07136 22.7 179 3.6 -40 -100 23.1 206.3 -14.5 915.08234 20.6 147.9 3 25 -100 21.5 196.3 -12.3 915.08452 22.5 190.3 3.6 25 -100 23.6 206.3 -10.4 915.08641 20 136.8 3 85 -100 24.6 192.5 -8.5 915.08835 22 170.5 3.6 85 dBm mA kHz kHz MHz dBm mA Units RF Test Report for the High Power Band RF Test Reports A-3 Appendix B % The Dolphin low power and high power boards were prescanned for FCC compliance and passed the prescan in both transmit and receive mode. Topic Page B.1 Low1-Power Board FCC Prescan Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2 B.2 High-Power Board FCC Prescan Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3 FCC Prescan Results B-1 B.1 Low-Power Board FCC Prescan Results B.1.1 SUMMARY The Dolphin low power board passed an FCC prescan in transmit mode with shielding. B.1.2 SETUP A 2.9 inch, 22-gauge solid strand wire antenna was used for all testing. The length was determined empirically using a vector network analyzer (HP 8753E). A minimum return loss of 17 dB was achieved across the 902-MHz to 928-MHz band. The antenna was orientated in the same direction as the longer dimension of the board. Note that, the above minimum return loss was achieved with the antenna also orientated in the same direction as the shorter dimension of the board. The transceiver was only tested in transmit mode between 0.9 - 6 GHz at the maximum supply voltage of 3.6 V, at a single carrier frequency of 915.1 MHz. The transceiver was orientated with the antenna perpendicular to the floor. This operational mode, supply voltage, orientation, carrier frequency, and frequency range represents the highest compliance risk. All combinations of the above test variables are examined in a full certification of a final product. The transceiver was tested at full output power (0-dB attenuation setting) as a frequency hopping spread spectrum transmitter under FCC Part 15.247. The transceiver was also tested at low output power (20-dB attenuation setting) as non-spread spectrum transmitter under FCC Part 15.249. A calibrated receive antenna and an EMI receiver (HP8546A and HP 85460A) were used to measure the radiated electric field at a 3-meter distance. The device rotational angle and receive antenna height was varied to determine the maximum radiated fields. For measurements above 1 GHz, an additional 1-GHz high pass filter was added to the EMI receiver to prevent overloading the front-end while measuring the low radiated signal levels of the harmonics. B.1.3 RESULTS The measurement results are tabulated on the next page. The first table shows the radiated field at the fundamental for different power level settings. Note that the 15.249 limit is 94 dBV. The radiated output at the middle power level (10-dB attenuation setting) is 6 dB over the Part 15.249 fundamental signal limit. The second table includes the radiated emissions at the harmonics. Entries for example < 44 indicate that no emissions at the particular harmonic were observed below the indicated analyzer noise floor level. In all cases, the analyzer noise floor level was at least 6 dB below the limit. Finally, the levels of the radiated harmonics above 6 GHz were measured at a one meter distance. All emissions were below the noise floor of the analyzer. B-2 Table B-1.Fundamental Emissions: (15.249 limit = 94 dBmV/m) A (dB) Conducted P (dBm) Measured E (dBmV/m) 0 7 109.1 10 -2.5 99.9 20 -12.2 90.5 Table B-2.FCC Part 15.247 - Maximum Power (A = 0 dB) Vertical Polarization Horizontal Polarization f (MHz) E-Field Limit E-Field Angle Height E-Field Angle Height 1 915 125.2 dBV/m 109 154 1 99 151 1 2 1830 20 dBc 60 29 1 49 9 1 3 2745 54 dBV/m 48 160 1 45 0 1.6 4 3660 54 dBV/m < 44 NM 5 4575 54 dBV/m < 46 NM 6 5490 54 dBV/m < 48 NM Note: NM = Not measured Table B-3.FCC Part 15.249 - Minimum Power (A = 20 dB) Vertical Polarization Horizontal Polarization f (MHz) E-Field Limit E-Field Angle Height E-Field 1 915 94 dBV/m 91 160 1 NM 2 1830 54 dBV/m 40 23 1 < 38 3 2745 54 dBV/m < 43 NM 4 3660 54 dBV/m < 44 NM 5 4575 54 dBV/m < 46 NM 6 5490 54 dBV/m < 48 NM Note: Angle Height NM = Not measured B.2 High Power Board FCC Prescan Results B.2.1 SUMMARY The Dolphin high power board passed an FCC prescan in transmit mode with shielding. B.2.2 SETUP A 3.1 inch, 22-gauge solid strand wire antenna was used for all testing. The length was determined empirically using a vector network analyzer (HP 8753E). A minimum return loss of 12 dB was achieved across the 902-MHz to 928-MHz band. The antenna was orientated in the same direction as the shorter dimension of the board. The transceiver was tested in transmit mode between 0.9 - 5 GHz at the maximum supply voltage of 3.6 V, at a single carrier frequency of 915.1 MHz. The transceiver was orientated with the antenna perpendicular to the floor. FCC Prescan Results B-3 This operational mode, supply voltage, orientation, carrier frequency, and frequency range represents the highest compliance risk. All combinations of the above test variables are only examined in a full certification of a final product. The transceiver was tested at full output power (0-dB attenuation setting) as a frequency hopping spread spectrum transmitter under FCC Part 15.247. A calibrated receive antenna and an EMI receiver (HP8546A and HP 85460A) were used to measure the radiated electric field at a 3-meter distance. The device rotational angle and receive antenna height was varied to determine the maximum radiated fields. For transmit mode measurements above 1 GHz, an additional 1-GHz high-pass filter was added to the EMI receiver to prevent overloading the front-end while measuring the low radiated signal levels of the harmonics. B.2.3 RESULTS The measurement results are tabulated on the next page. The first table shows the radiated field at the fundamental at the maximum power level settings. Table B-4.FCC Part 15.247 - Transmit Mode, Maximum Power (A = 0 dB) Vertical Polarization Mode Horizontal Polarization f (MHz) Limit d (m) E-Field (dBV/m) Angle (deg) Height (m) E-Field (dBV/m) Angle (deg) Height (m) 1 CW 915.1 24 dBm 3 123.9 256 1.1 119.3 335 1.5 2 CW 1830.2 20 dBc 3 45.3 199 1.2 41.7 0 1.1 3 Hopping 2745.3 54 dBV/m 3 47.1 0 1 43 95 1.3 4 CW 3660.4 54 dBV/m 3 48.6 220 1.3 44.1 120 1 CW 4575.5 54 dBV/m 3 50.5 302.5 1 52 321 1 5 Note: Hop set 15 (five channels) used hopping modes to test the third harmonic. This hop set should only be used for FCC testing. B.2.3.1 FCC Part 15.109 - Receive Mode LO and Harmonics The local oscillator and all harmonics were at least 6 dB below the 46.4 dBV/m limit. B-4 Appendix C The outdoor line of sight range test results for the Dolphin low power and high power boards are presented in this Appendix. A simple wire antenna (see Section 3.4.1) was used for range testing. Topic C.1 Page Range Test Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2 Range Test Results C-1 Range Test Results C.1 Range Test Results The range test results are tabulated in Table C-1. Table C-1. Range Test Results Max. TX Power (dBm) RX Sensitivity (dBm) Link Budget (dB) Range (Feet) Range (Mile) Low power 7 100 107 1050 0.25 High power 20 100 120 5500 1 Board C.1.1 Low Power Board Range Results The low board range results are shown in Figure C-1. It can be observed that more retries results in better range at the cost of additional power consumption and increased transmit duty cycle. Figure C-1.Low Power Board - Outdoor Range Results TI Low Power Dolphin Open Field Range (Firmware Version 1.0 Date:9/24/2004) 110 Two D irection P acket S uccess R ate (% ) 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 20 Ret ri es 3 Ret ries 30 6 ret i ries 20 10 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 Distance (feet) C-2 800 850 900 950 1000 1050 Range Test Results C.1.2 High Power Board Range Results This is shown in Figure C-2. Note: Since the range tests were done in an outdoor mobile environment, the transmit and receive units were 3-V battery powered. Thus, the transmit power was about +20 dBm. If the units are powered using a +3.6-V supply the transmit power is 3 dB better (+23 dBm) yielding significantly better range. Based on calculations the expected range at 3-dB higher output power will be approximately 1.4 mile (40% increase in range). Figure C-2.High Power Board - Outdoor Range Results TI High Power Dolphin Open Field Range (Firmware Version 1.0 Date:9/24/2004) 110 Two D irection P acket S uccess R ate (% ) 100 90 80 70 60 50 20 Retries 40 3 Retries 6 retiries 30 20 10 0 0 250 500 750 1000 1250 1500 1750 2000 2250 2500 2750 3000 3250 3500 3750 4000 42504500 4750 5000 5250 5500 Distance (feet) Range Test Results C-3 C-4