Silicon Laboratories RF-to-USB-RD2, User Manual

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Rev. 0.2 5/11 Copyright © 2011 by Silicon Laboratories RF-to-USB-RD2
R F - t o - U S B - R D 2
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1. Kit Contents
The RF to USB Reference Design contains the following items:
 RF to USB Node Boards (2)
 AAA batteries (2)
 RF to USB Dongle (1)
 Tool Stick Programming Adapter (1)
 Retractable USB cord (1)
2. Introduction
This kit is intended to serve both as a simple, low-power analog data collection example and as a development
platform for wireless sensing projects.
The demonstration uses one or more node boards to communicate with a USB dongle, which acts as a network
coordinator and data collector. The system measures temperature and voltage on each dongle board and displays
them on a PC window.
The development example uses two node boards to communicate to each other. A simple code example is
provided as a jump-start for custom projects. Peripheral or low power functionality can be added to this example by
referencing an available library of code examples.
This system is intended to be a simple starting point. For more advanced radio or peripheral evaluation, a full
Si1000DK development kit is recommended.
This kit, RF to USB Reference Design 2, replaces the original RF to USB Reference Design.
3. Quick Start
This section guides you through the setup of a data collection example using two node boards to wirelessly
transmit analog measurements to a PC-based user interface.
1. Install the RF to USB Reference Design software and firmware examples from your installer package, either
downloaded from www.silabs.com/RFtoUSB or from a CD.
2. Plug the dongle into an available USB port as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. RF USB Dongle Connect