UG320: EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm
Dual Band Radio Board and Wireless
Starter Kit User's Guide
A Wireless Starter Kit with the BRD4258B Radio Board is an ex-
cellent starting point to get familiar with the EFR32™ Flex Gecko
Wireless System-on-Chip, and it provides all necessary tools for
developing a Silicon Labs wireless application.
BRD4258B is a plug-in board for the Wireless Starter Kit Mainboard. It is a complete ref-
erence design for the EFR32FG14 Wireless SoC, with matching networks for 19 dBm
output power, a 2.4 GHz PCB antenna, and an SMA connector for the 169 MHz band.
The Wireless Starter Kit Mainboard contains an on-board J-Link debugger with a Packet
Trace Interface and a Virtual COM port, enabling application development and debug-
ging the attached radio board as well as external hardware. The Mainboard also con-
tains sensors and peripherals for easy demonstration of some of the EFR32's many ca-
pabilities.
This document describes how to use the BRD4258B Radio Board together with a Wire-
less Starter Kit Mainboard.
BRD4258B RADIO BOARD FEATURES
• EFR32FG14 Flex Gecko Wireless SoC
with 256 kB Flash, and 32 kB RAM
(EFR32FG14P233F256GM48)
• Dual band integrated radio transceiver
• 19 dBm output power
• Inverted-F PCB antenna (2.4 GHz)
• SMA antenna connector (169 MHz)
• 8 Mbit low-power serial flash for over-the-
air upgrades.
WIRELESS STK MAINBOARD FEATURES
• Advanced Energy Monitor
• Packet Trace Interface
• Virtual COM Port
• SEGGER J-Link on-board debugger
• External device debugging
• Ethernet and USB connectivity
• Silicon Labs Si7021 Relative Humidity and
Temperature sensor
• Low Power 128x128 pixel Memory LCD
• User LEDs / Pushbuttons
• 20-pin 2.54 mm EXP header
• Breakout pads for Wireless SoC I/O
• CR2032 coin cell battery support
SOFTWARE SUPPORT
• Simplicity Studio™
• Energy Profiler
• Network Analyzer
ORDERING INFORMATION
• SLWSTK6065B
• SLWRB4258B
silabs.com
| Building a more connected world.
Rev. 1.00
Table of Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.1 Radio Boards .
1.3 Getting Started
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 4
. 4
. 4
1.2 Ordering Information
2. Hardware Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.1 Hardware Layout .
2.2 Block Diagram.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 5
. 6
3. Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.1 J-Link USB Connector .
3.2 Ethernet Connector .
3.3 Breakout Pads
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 7
. 7
. 8
. 9
.10
.11
.12
.13
3.4 Expansion Header . . . . .
3.4.1 Expansion Header Pin-out
3.5 Debug Connector.
3.7 Debug Adapter
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
3.6 Simplicity Connector.
4. Power Supply and Reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.1 Radio Board Power Selection
4.2 Board Controller Power.
4.3 EFR32 Reset .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
14
.14
.15
.15
5. Peripherals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.1 Push Buttons and LEDs
5.3 Serial Flash
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
5.2 Memory LCD-TFT Display .
16
.16
.17
.18
.19
.20
.21
.21
.22
5.4 Si7021 Relative Humidity and Temperature Sensor .
5.5 Virtual COM Port . . . .
5.5.1 Host Interfaces . .
5.5.2 Serial Configuration .
5.5.3 Hardware Handshake
6. Board Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.1 Admin Console . . . .
6.1.1 Connecting . . . .
6.1.2 Built-in Help . . .
6.1.3 Command Examples
6.2 Virtual UART .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
23
.23
.23
.23
.24
.24
7. Advanced Energy Monitor
silabs.com
| Building a more connected world.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25
Rev. 1.00 | 2
7.1 Introduction.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.25
.25
.26
.26
7.2 Theory of Operation .
7.4 Usage
.
.
.
.
.
7.3 AEM Accuracy and Performance
8. On-Board Debugger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.1 Host Interfaces . . . . . .
8.1.1 USB Interface . . . . .
8.1.2 Ethernet Interface . . .
8.1.3 Serial Number Identification
8.2 Debug Modes .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
27
.27
.27
.27
.27
.28
.29
8.3 Debugging During Battery Operation .
9. Kit Configuration and Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.1 Firmware Upgrades .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
30
.30
10. Schematics, Assembly Drawings, and BOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11. Kit Revision History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.1 SLWSTK6065B Revision History .
11.2 SLWRB4258B Revision history.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
31
32
.32
.32
12. Document Revision History
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33
silabs.com
| Building a more connected world.
Rev. 1.00 | 3
UG320: EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Dual Band Radio Board and Wireless Starter Kit User's Guide
Introduction
1. Introduction
The EFR32FG14 Flex Gecko Wireless SoC itself is featured on a Radio Board that forms a complete reference design, including the
RF section and other components.
The Radio Board plugs directly into a Wireless Starter Kit Mainboard. The Mainboard features several tools for easy evaluation and
development of wireless applications. An on-board J-Link debugger enables programming and debugging on the target device over
USB or Ethernet. The Advanced Energy Monitor (AEM) offers real-time current and voltage monitoring. A virtual COM port interface
(VCOM) provides an easy-to-use serial port connection over USB or Ethernet. The Packet Trace Interface (PTI) offers invaluable debug
information about transmitted and received packets in wireless links.
All debug functionality, including AEM, VCOM and PTI, can also be used towards external target hardware instead of the attached radio
board.
To further enhance its usability, the Mainboard contains sensors and peripherals demonstrating some of the many capabilities of the
EFR32FG14.
1.1 Radio Boards
A Wireless Starter Kit consists of one or more mainboards and radio boards that plug into the mainboard. Different radio boards are
available. Each featuring different Silicon Labs devices with different operating frequency bands.
Since the mainboard is designed to work with all different radio boards, the actual pin mapping from a device pin to a mainboard feature
is done on the radio board. This means that each radio board has its own pin mapping to the Wireless Starter Kit features such as
buttons, LEDs, the display, the EXP header and the breakout pads. Because this pin mapping is different for every radio board, it is
important that the correct document be consulted which shows the kit features
in context
of the radio board plugged in.
This document explains how to use the Wireless Starter Kit when the EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Radio Board (BRD4258B) is
combined with a Mainboard. The combination of these two boards is hereby referred to as a Wireless Starter Kit (Wireless STK).
1.2 Ordering Information
BRD4258B can be obtained as part of the SLWSTK6065B Wireless Starter Kit, or as a separate radio board SLWRB4258B.
Table 1.1. Ordering Information
Part Number
Description
Contents
2x BRD4001A Wireless Starter Kit Mainboard
2x BRD4258B EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Dual Band Radio Board
2x 169 MHz dipole antenna (Laird EXH170SM)
2x USB Type A to Mini-B cable
1x BRD8010A Debug Adapter
SLWRB4258B
EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm
Dual Band Radio Board
1x BRD4258B EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Dual Band Radio Board
1x 169 MHz dipole antenna (Laird EXH170SM)
SLWSTK6065B EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz Wireless
Starter Kit
1.3 Getting Started
Detailed instructions for how to get started can be found on the Silicon Labs web pages:
http://www.silabs.com/start-efr32fg
silabs.com
| Building a more connected world.
Rev. 1.00 | 4
UG320: EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Dual Band Radio Board and Wireless Starter Kit User's Guide
Hardware Overview
2. Hardware Overview
2.1 Hardware Layout
The layout of the EFR32FG14 2400/169 MHz 19 dBm Wireless Starter Kit is shown in the figure below.
Radio Board Breakout Pads
On-board USB and
Ethernet J-Link
Debugger
Plug-in Radio Board
Si7021 Humidity and
Temperature Sensor
USB-serial-port
Packet-trace
Advanced Energy
Monitoring
Battery or
USB power
Ultra-low power 128x128
pixel memory LCD,
buttons and LEDs
EXP-header for
expansion boards
ARM Coresight 19-pin
trace/debug header
Serial-port, packet trace and Advanced
Energy Monitoring header
Figure 2.1. Kit Hardware Layout
silabs.com
| Building a more connected world.
Rev. 1.00 | 5
京公网安备 11010802033920号
Copyright © 2005-2026 EEWORLD.com.cn, Inc. All rights reserved
电子工程世界
