Specifications

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Wireless Connectivity Guide Texas Instruments 4Q 2014
Resources
Development Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with a DK?
In most configurations, a development
kit consists of two Evaluation Boards,
two small RF modules, antennas and
cables. When the RF modules are
connected to the Evaluation Board, it
is possible to control the radio from
the PC using SmartRF™ Studio. Most
of the development kits also come
preprogrammed with a Packet Error Rate
test application, which makes it easy
to perform practical range testing with
the radios. In addition, the development
kits are flexible platforms and it is easy
to connect your own peripherals and
controllers to break-out pins on the
boards. The development kit would also
serve as a known good platform during
test and verification of your own system.
For development kits with system-
on-chips (SoC), the evaluation boards
make it possible to debug and program
the chip with no additional hardware.
The kit also gives access to useful user
interfaces for testing of the various
peripherals and capabilities of the SoC.
The hardware in the kit can also be used
as a packet sniffer.
What is the purpose of the EMK?
The Evaluation Module (EM) is exactly
the same piece of hardware that is being
used in characterization of the radio,
and you will get datasheet performance
from these boards. The EMK can be
ordered separately and can be used
as add-ons to existing kits, compatible
motherboards or other boards with
matching connectors. The modules are
equipped with two 2×10 sockets from
Samtec (SFM-110-02-SM-D-A-K-TR)
matched with headers from Samtec
(TFM-110-02-SM-D-A-K-TR).
Why do I need the
Evaluation Board?
The Evaluation Board (EB) is a flexible
test and development platform. It makes
it easy to perform basic functional RF
tests. For example:
• ConnecttheEBtoyourhardwareto
test your own RF design (running tests
from SmartRF Studio)
•UseSmartRFStudio+EB+EMto
send packets that are received by your
own system
•Useyourownsystemtosendpackets
and receive the packets using
SmartRFStudio+EB+EM
Thus, you can easily verify the behavior
of either your own software or your own
hardware, eliminating multiple error
sources and reducing the time it takes to
debug and test an RF system.
What are MSP430™
Experimenter’s Boards?
The MSP430 Experimenter’s Boards
are versatile development boards
for MSP430 with a lot of external
peripherals, making it easy to experiment
and make prototypes to explore
the many features of the MSP430
peripherals. These boards are also
equipped with connectors for the RF
Evaluation Modules. Note that due to the
pin out of the connectors, only a subset
of the Evaluation Modules can be used
with the boards. You will find schematics,
software examples and application notes
for the experimenter’s boards on the
MSP430 development tools web pages.
Are the MSP430 Experimenter’s
Boards compatible with
SmartRF Studio?
No
How do I adopt Wi-Fi
®
/
Bluetooth
®
?
TI has created platforms which are
pre-integrated, fully validated and
documented solutions to remove the
obstacles of wireless design. Platforms
provide complete system integration
of all components including Wi-Fi and
Bluetooth hardware, firmware, low-level
drivers, stacks, profiles, and sample
source applications. Platforms have
also been optimized for reduced system
level power consumption and higher
throughput. A full suite of detailed user
guides, developer guides, datasheets,
and extensive FAQs are included.
Where can I go to learn more
about Wi-Fi and Bluetooth tools?
www.ti.com/connectivitywiki
Why modules?
Customers greatly benefit from validated
RF modules which help reduce
development time, lower manufacturing
costs, improve PCB yield, decrease
board space, ease certification, and
minimize RF expertise required.
What is the difference between
the DK-EM2-2500S and the
DK-EM2-2520Z?
The DK-EM2-2500S is a kit tailored to
work with the SimpliciTI™ software. It
communicates using the CC2500EM but
also comes with compatible software for
the CC1101 as well as the CC2420. The
DK-EM2-2500Z is a kit tailored to work
with the ZigBee software. It uses the
CC2520 to communicate with two re-
programmable CC2530 battery boards.