Texas Instruments SWRU294, User Manual, Page: 14 / 57

SWRU294
Page 14/40
S2 S1 Operating Mode Key features
Enable SmartRF SmartRF Mode
- Cebal USB interface
- MSP430 disabled
- Control RF-IC using
SmartRF PC software
Enable UART UART Mode
- CDC-ACM USB interface
- MSP430 enabled
- UART bridge between PC
and MSP430
- Control RF-IC using
MSP430 or external MCU
Disable x Disabled Mode
- USB interface disabled
- MSP430 enabled
- Control RF-IC using
MSP430 or external MCU
Table 4
– SmartRF TrxEB operating modes
6.1.1 SmartRF Mode
SmartRF Mode is the standard operating mode and is obtained by setting hardware switches S1
and S2 on the EB to “SmartRF” and “Enable”, respectively (see Table 4).
In SmartRF mode the EB is recognized over USB as a Cebal device, enabling PC software like
SmartRF Studio to configure and control the RF-
IC connected to the EB’s EM connectors.
The onboard MSP430 microcontroller is in this operating mode held in reset by the USB MCU.
6.1.2 UART Mode
UART Mode is obtained by setting hardware switches S1 and S2 on the EB to “UART” and
“Enable”, respectively (see Table 4).
In UART mode, the EB is recognized over USB as a virtual serial port (CDC-ACM). The USB
MCU works as a UART bridge between the onboard MSP430 and the PC. The hardware
connection between the USB MCU and the MSP430 is shown in Figure 5. The supported data
rates are listed in Table 5.
It is not possible to use SmartRF Studio or other PC software to communicate with a connected
RF-IC when operating in UART Mode. To communicate with a connected RF-IC, the onboard
MSP430 or an external MCU must be programmed with custom firmware. Please refer to the
MSP430 User’s Guide [5] for more information about the MSP430 MCU.