Experience the next wave of communication with CC1120 and PIC32MZ1024EFH064
Crystal-clear connections, anywhere
Published Jun 22, 2023
Click board™
ccRF2 Click
Dev. board
PIC32MZ clicker
Compiler
NECTO Studio
MCU
PIC32MZ1024EFH064
Trust our RF transceiver solution to deliver flawless narrowband communication
A
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Hardware Overview
How does it work?
ccRF2 Click is based on the CC1120, a high-performance RF transceiver for narrowband systems from Texas Instruments. At the center of the CC1120, there is a fully integrated fractional-N ultra-high-performance frequency synthesizer which brings excellent phase noise performance, providing very high selectivity and blocking performance. This flexible receiver is amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA) and converted in quadrature (I/Q) to the intermediate frequency (IF), after which high dynamic range ADCs digitize the signals. The transmitter is based on direct synthesis of the RF frequency, so to use the spectrum effectively, the CC1120 has extensive data filtering and shaping in TX mode to support high throughput data communication in narrowband channels. The CC1120 also brings down other techniques like eWOR, sniff mode, antenna diversity, WaveMatch, and more. Antenna diversity can increase performance if enabled in a
multipath environment, while the CC1120 automatically controls the required onboard antenna switch. The AGC module of the CC1120 returns an estimate of the signal strength (RSSI) received by the antenna. In addition, there is also an integrated temperature sensor for FS calibration. One of the supported modulations (2-FSK, 2-GFSK, 4-FSK, MSK, and OOK) does the transmission. Besides the support for retransmissions and automatic acknowledgment of received packages, the CC1120 also has TCXO, power modes, built-in coding gain support for increased range and robustness, and many more. The CC1120 uses an SPI serial interface to communicate with the host MCU. In addition, this Click board™ features an RST pin for resetting the CC1120 and a few user-configurable pins labeled GP0, GP2, and GP3 that can be used for monitoring different signals or setting modes. The Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) indicates if the
current channel is free or busy with two flags available on GP2 and GP0 while the current CCA state is viewable on GP3. In synchronous serial operation mode, GP0 is explicitly used for serial data input for TX operation. The ccRF 2 Click uses u.Fl connector for adding the appropriate u.Fl Sub-GHz antenna, offered by Mikroe, and it shouldn’t be powered up without one according to the used frequency. Also, this Click board™ features an 868/915MHz impedance-matched, multi-function, integrated ceramic passive component switch for the Texas Instruments CC1120 chipset. This Click board™ can only be operated with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. However, the Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing functions and an example code that can be used as a reference for further development.
Features overview
Development board
PIC32MZ Clicker is a compact starter development board that brings the flexibility of add-on Click boards™ to your favorite microcontroller, making it a perfect starter kit for implementing your ideas. It comes with an onboard 32-bit PIC32MZ microcontroller with FPU from Microchip, a USB connector, LED indicators, buttons, a mikroProg connector, and a header for interfacing with external electronics. Thanks to its compact design with clear and easy-recognizable silkscreen markings, it provides a fluid and immersive working experience, allowing access anywhere and under
any circumstances. Each part of the PIC32MZ Clicker development kit contains the components necessary for the most efficient operation of the same board. In addition to the possibility of choosing the PIC32MZ Clicker programming method, using USB HID mikroBootloader, or through an external mikroProg connector for PIC, dsPIC, or PIC32 programmer, the Clicker board also includes a clean and regulated power supply module for the development kit. The USB Micro-B connection can provide up to 500mA of current, which is more than enough to operate all onboard
and additional modules. All communication methods that mikroBUS™ itself supports are on this board, including the well-established mikroBUS™ socket, reset button, and several buttons and LED indicators. PIC32MZ Clicker is an integral part of the Mikroe ecosystem, allowing you to create a new application in minutes. Natively supported by Mikroe software tools, it covers many aspects of prototyping thanks to a considerable number of different Click boards™ (over a thousand boards), the number of which is growing every day.
Microcontroller Overview
MCU Card / MCU
Architecture
PIC32
MCU Memory (KB)
1024
Silicon Vendor
Microchip
Pin count
64
RAM (Bytes)
524288
You complete me!
Accessories
ISM 868/915MHz Active FPC Antenna (W3312B0100) is a powerful multiband active flat patch antenna from Pulse Electronics ideal for use in LPWA applications. This compact yet efficient flat patch antenna, designed for use in the 868MHz and 915MHz frequency bands, boasts a gain of typical 0.8dBi and a 75x15mm size. With a nominal impedance of 50Ω, it seamlessly integrates with your existing setup. The FPC material used in the antenna guarantees both durability and reliability, while its 2W power rating ensures consistent and trustworthy performance. It includes a 100mm OD coax cable with a U.FL connector, enabling seamless connectivity. Moreover, the W3312B0100 antenna provides convenient and secure mounting options through its flexible PCB thickness of 0.1mm and adhesive tape on the backside. This antenna offers reliable performance and versatility, whether for LoRaWAN®, Sigfox®, WiFi HaLow™, or other ISM and remote control applications. Additionally, it caters to various industries, including M2M, IoT, metering, and industrial automation, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications.
Used MCU Pins
mikroBUS™ mapper
Take a closer look
Click board™ Schematic
Step by step
Project assembly
Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the PIC32MZ clicker as your development board.
Track your results in real time
Application Output
1. Application Output - In Debug mode, the 'Application Output' window enables real-time data monitoring, offering direct insight into execution results. Ensure proper data display by configuring the environment correctly using the provided tutorial.
2. UART Terminal - Use the UART Terminal to monitor data transmission via a USB to UART converter, allowing direct communication between the Click board™ and your development system. Configure the baud rate and other serial settings according to your project's requirements to ensure proper functionality. For step-by-step setup instructions, refer to the provided tutorial.
3. Plot Output - The Plot feature offers a powerful way to visualize real-time sensor data, enabling trend analysis, debugging, and comparison of multiple data points. To set it up correctly, follow the provided tutorial, which includes a step-by-step example of using the Plot feature to display Click board™ readings. To use the Plot feature in your code, use the function: plot(*insert_graph_name*, variable_name);. This is a general format, and it is up to the user to replace 'insert_graph_name' with the actual graph name and 'variable_name' with the parameter to be displayed.
Software Support
Library Description
This library contains API for ccRF2 Click driver.
Key functions:
ccrf2_receive_rx_data- Function receives RX data from the transmit module of the CC1120 single-chip radio transceiverccrf2_send_tx_data- Function sends TX data to the receive module of the CC1120 single-chip radio transceiverccrf2_set_rx_mode- Function sets RX mode of the CC1120 single-chip radio transceiver on the ccRF 2 Click
Open Source
Code example
The complete application code and a ready-to-use project are available through the NECTO Studio Package Manager for direct installation in the NECTO Studio. The application code can also be found on the MIKROE GitHub account.
/*!
* \file
* \brief ccRf2 Click example
*
* # Description
* This example demonstrates the use of ccRF 2 click board.
*
* The demo application is composed of two sections :
*
* ## Application Init
* Initializes the driver, performs the default configuration and enables the selected mode.
*
* ## Application Task
* Depending on the selected mode, it reads the received data or sends the desired message
* every 2 seconds. All data is being logged on the USB UART where you can track their changes.
*
*
* \author MikroE Team
*
*/
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES
#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "ccrf2.h"
#define TEXT_TO_SEND "MikroE\r\n"
// ------------------------------------------------------------------ VARIABLES
#define DEMO_APP_TRANSMITTER
// #define DEMO_APP_RECEIVER
static ccrf2_t ccrf2;
static log_t logger;
static uint8_t rx_buffer[ 255 ];
// ------------------------------------------------------ APPLICATION FUNCTIONS
void application_init ( void )
{
log_cfg_t log_cfg;
ccrf2_cfg_t cfg;
/**
* Logger initialization.
* Default baud rate: 115200
* Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
* @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX
* are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will
* need to define them manually for log to work.
* See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
*/
LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
log_info( &logger, "---- Application Init ----" );
// Click initialization.
ccrf2_cfg_setup( &cfg );
CCRF2_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
ccrf2_init( &ccrf2, &cfg );
log_printf( &logger, "----------------------\r\n" );
log_printf( &logger, " Hardware reset\r\n" );
ccrf2_hw_reset( &ccrf2 );
Delay_ms( 1000 );
log_printf( &logger, "----------------------\r\n" );
log_printf( &logger, " Default config\r\n" );
ccrf2_default_cfg( &ccrf2 );
Delay_ms( 1000 );
log_printf( &logger, "----------------------\r\n" );
#ifdef DEMO_APP_RECEIVER
ccrf2_set_rx_mode( &ccrf2 );
log_printf( &logger, " Receiver mode\r\n" );
#endif
#ifdef DEMO_APP_TRANSMITTER
ccrf2_set_tx_mode( &ccrf2 );
log_printf( &logger, " Transmitter mode\r\n" );
#endif
log_printf( &logger, "----------------------\r\n" );
Delay_ms( 100 );
}
void application_task ( void )
{
#ifdef DEMO_APP_RECEIVER
uint8_t num_bytes = ccrf2_receive_rx_data( &ccrf2, &rx_buffer[ 0 ] );
if ( num_bytes )
{
log_printf( &logger, " Received message: " );
for ( uint8_t cnt = 3; cnt < rx_buffer[ 0 ]; cnt++ )
{
log_printf( &logger, "%c", rx_buffer[ cnt ] );
}
log_printf( &logger, " Packet number: %u", ccrf2.packet_counter );
log_printf( &logger, "\r\n----------------------\r\n" );
}
#endif
#ifdef DEMO_APP_TRANSMITTER
ccrf2_send_tx_data( &ccrf2, TEXT_TO_SEND, strlen( TEXT_TO_SEND ) );
log_printf( &logger, " Sent message: MikroE\r\n" );
log_printf( &logger, " Packet number: %u\r\n", ccrf2.packet_counter );
log_printf( &logger, "----------------------\r\n" );
Delay_ms( 2000 );
#endif
}
void main ( void )
{
application_init( );
for ( ; ; )
{
application_task( );
}
}
// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END
