But it might be the case that the end product is already equipped with another MCU, and the developer wants to use that to run application code and supervise wireless connectivity. Or, the developer might be more familiar with development tools for other popular host microprocessors, such as STMicroelectronics’ STM32F429ZIY6TR. This processor is also based on an Arm Cortex-M4 core. To enable an external host microprocessor to run application software and supervise the nRF52840 SoC, Würth Elektronik offers its Wireless Connectivity SDK. The SDK is a set of software tools that enable quick software integration of the company’s wireless modules with many popular processors, including the STM32F429ZIY6TR chip. The SDK consists of drivers and examples in C that use the UART, SPI, or USB peripherals of the underlying platform to communicate with the attached radio device (Figure 7). The developer simply ports the SDK C code to the host processor. This significantly reduces the time needed to design a software interface for the radio module.
The Setebos-I radio module uses a ‘command interface’ for configuration and operation tasks. This interface provides up to 30 commands that accomplish tasks like updating various device settings, transmitting, and receiving data, and putting the module into one of a variety of low-power modes. The connected radio device must run in command mode to use the Wireless Connectivity SDK. Conclusion It can be tricky to decide on a single wireless protocol for a connected product, and even more challenging to design the radio circuit from scratch. A radio module such as Würth Elektronik’s Setebos-I not only offers flexibility in the choice of protocol, but it also offers a drop-in connectivity solution that meets the regulatory requirements of various operating regions. The Sebetos-1 module comes with Würth’s Wireless Connectivity SDK, which makes it simple and quick for developers to control the module using their own choice of host MCU.
Customer Host MCU
Customer application
Wireless Connectivity SDK driver
Host peripherals (UART, GPIOs)
UART
Radio Module
Radio module peripherals (UART, GPIOs)
Command Interface
Radio stack
Figure 7: The Wireless Connectivity SDK Driver makes it easy for developers to drive the Setebos-I radio module via a UART port using an external host microprocessor. Image source: Würth Elektronik
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