Texas Instruments Chipcon CC2420DK, User Manual

Page: 29 / 32

SWRU045 Page 29 of 32
Using the Development Kit
The CC2420DK Development Kit is useful for providing hands-on experience with the
CC2420 for both software and hardware developers. The plug-in Evaluation Module provides
flexibility; it can operate both in a stand-alone fashion and together with the Evaluation Board.
Using the Evaluation Board, it is easy to interface the CC2420 with both test equipment and
additional application circuitry without having to make a PCB from scratch. Below we will
highlight the most useful setups.
CC2420 RF Evaluation using SmartRF
®
Studio or Packet Sniffer
CC2400EB
Evaulation Board
PC running
SmartRF Studio
or Packet
Sniffer
CC2420EM
Spectrum
analyzer / RF
Signal generator
Oscilloscope /
Function
generator
Figure 13: RF Evaluation using SmartRF
®
Studio
Using the setup shown in Figure 13, the RF performance of the CC2420 can be evaluated.
Use the supplied cable to connect the USB port of the CC2400EB to the USB port of a PC
running SmartRF
®
Studio. You can then use SmartRF
®
Studio to control all the RF
parameters of the CC2420.
SmartRF
®
Studio can be used to perform a wide variety of RF tests, including link tests. Using
two CC2400EBs, it is possible to send data from one PC to another. Please refer to the
SmartRF
®
Studio documentation for more information.
When the CC2400EB board is connected to a PC, the PC will load the USB driver for the
board (SmartRF
®
Studio must be installed on the PC). Once the driver has loaded, it will
update the FPGA and microcontroller, and the LEDs will start flashing. The LED flashing will
stop if one of the buttons on the board is pressed, or when SmartRF
®
Studio or the Packet
Sniffer is started.
When SmartRF Studio is running, the LEDs are used to indicate the ID for the board. The ID
is shown as a binary number, with the red LED representing the least significant bit (LSB), the
yellow LED representing bit 1, and the green LED representing the most significant bit (MSB).
When the Packet Sniffer is running, the LEDs will blink when packets are received.
Important: The use of radio transceivers is regulated by international and national rules.
Before transmitting an RF signal on an antenna, please contact your local telecommunication
authorities to make sure that you are licensed to operate the transceiver.