27. RF Master

RF master is an implementation of Bluetooth SIG standardized receiver and transmitter HCI commands and additional custom test HCI commands.

User can access RF Master by selecting RF Master tool under the Manager group of the ribbon menu.Figure 108presents the Rf Master UI that is common for most of the device families. Some families support extra RF Master commands, which will be presented in a different subsection.

Figure 108RF Master tests

When RF Master is opened, an extra tab is added to the ribbon, containing RF Master related buttons only.

Figure 109RF Master’s Ribbon

• Download Firmware:Downloads FW supporting RF Master tests to the target. The selected interface under the Board menu is used for the download and if both UART and JTAG have been selected, JTAG is preferred.
• Reset:Runs the Bluetooth SIG standardized HCI_Reset command.
• Release UART:When the ‘Release UART’ button is clicked the allocated UART port used for communication is freed and can be used from other tools such asTerminal Scripting.

Note

Appendix Ashows how to produce binary firmware for each chip family.

RF Master tests are distributed in a tree like structure, where user can expand only the test(s) being currently used and collapse the rest. User can expand or collapse all tests at once using thebutton found at the top of the tab. In order to run RF Master tests, a firmware supporting RF Master tests should be running at the target. User can select theDownload Firmwarebutton from the RF Master toolbar on the ribbon in order to download a firmware. Before running any RF Master test, it is checked that a suitable FW is running to the target. So even if a FW has not been downloaded yet to the target, the user will be asked to do so in order to be able to execute any of the RF Master tests. RF Master tests run over UART, so user will be asked to select a COM port that will be used for the tests, if UART interface has not been configured under the Board menu.

27.1. Common RF Master Tests

The following RF Master tests are common for most of the device families:

1. LE Tx/Rx
2. Continuous Tx
3. Unmodulated Tx/Rx
4. Sleep

27.1.1. LE Tx/Rx

LE Receiver Transmitter tool sends Bluetooth LE test commands. Two instances are needed for the test, one operating as a transmitter and the other as a receiver.

27.1.1.1. Transmitter

图110Le Transmitter

User first selects the frequency, the payload type of the packets and their length in bytes. Then on the mode of the test, user has the following options:

1.Continuous Tx:When this mode is selected the Bluetooth SIG standardizedHCI_LE_Transmitter_Testcommand is send. At this test the DUT sends test reference packets at a fixed interval, until the Bluetooth SIG standardizedHCI_LE_Test_Endcommand is executed. The user has to first stop the continuous packet transmission, before being able to run a new LE Tx test command.

Note

# packets Txoption is not supported for DA1469x family devices.

2.# packets Tx:This mode is also based on the Bluetooth SIG standardizedHCI_LE_Transmitter_Test命令,用户可以spe的区别cify the number of packets to be send at the test. Maximum number of packets that can be send in one test, is 65535 (two bytes). When Start button is pressed, the DUT generates a specified number of test reference packets at a fixed interval.

Start Button:Starts the selected LE transmitter test. Note that start is disabled until either the test finishes (specified number of packets has been sent) or the user presses the stop button, because it is not possible to start a second LE Transmitter Test, while another LE Transmitter Test is already running.

Stop Button:Sends the Bluetooth SIG standardizedHCI_LE_Test_Endcommand. Can be used to stop the continuous transmission or the transmission with specified number of packets, before the transmission completes. Note that if a transmission with specified number of packets completes, Stop button is disabled again automatically.

Sample Log output:

图111Sample log output for LE Tx Command

The messages in blue color, marked with====> [date] Tx <===describe the commands that host sends to target. The messages in green, marked with====> [date] Rx <===describe the target’s response. At图111we can see that the command with opcode 0xFC90(DA1468x family)is send and the firmware responds with an event, that contains the opcode 0xFC90 in its parameters. When the packet transmission is completed, an info message notifies the user about the completion and the firmware sends an event with event code 0x0E, which contains the opcode 0xFC90 in its parameters too. Not receiving an event from the target after sending a LE Tx command, indicates a problem. User is advised to press the Reset button from the horizontal toolbar and, if the problem persists, to download the firmware again to the target.

27.1.1.2. Receiver

图112Le Receiver

User selects the frequency and if extra RF statistics info are required for the test. At this test the Bluetooth SIG standardizedHCI_LE_Receiver_Testtest is executed. During the test the DUT receives test reference packets at a fixed interval, until the Stop button is pressed. The test results are received when the Stop button is pressed. The user can see on the log the number of packets that have been successfully received. If extra statistics have been requested, the user can also see on the log the number of packets that have been received with SYNC error and the number of packets that have been received with CRC error.

Start Button:Starts the selected LE receiver test. If on the transmitter side a test with specific number of packets has been selected, the user should start the receiver test first in order to receive the packets.

Stop Button:Sends the Bluetooth SIG standardizedHCI_LE_Test_Endcommand. The results of the test are displayed on the log.

Sample Log output:

图113Sample log output for LE Rx Command

At图113, the first pair of Tx and Rx messages are generated when the Start button is pressed and the second one when the Stop button is pressed. When the host sends the command with opcode 0xFC81(DA1468x family)in order to start the reception with extra RF stats info, the firmware responds with an event, containing also 0xFC81 in its parameters. When the command with opcode 0xFC82(DA1468x family)是为了发送停止接待,firmwa吗re responds with an event packet, which contains info about the number of packets that have been received correctly, the number of packets that have been received with SYNC error and the number of packets that have been received with CRC error. We observe that 14247 packets have been received by the LE Receiver and that 96 packets have been received with CRC error. Not receiving an event from the target after sending a LE Rx command, indicates a problem. User is advised to press the Reset button from the horizontal toolbar and, if the problem persists, to download the firmware again to the target.

27.1.2. Continuous Tx

This tool is used to enable a modulated carrier with specified payload data in a continuous stream. When Start button is pressed, a modulated signal is continuously transmitted, until the Stop button is pressed. In order to see the results of this test, a spectrum analyzer has to be connected to the target.

Figure 114Continuous Tx

Sample log output:

Figure 115Sample log output for Continuous Tx Start command

When the continuous modulated transmission starts, host sends a command with opcode 0xFC84(DA1468x family)and target responds with an event (Figure 115).

Figure 116Sample log output for Continuous Tx Stop command

When the continuous modulated transmission stops, host sends a command with opcode 0xFC85(DA1468x family)and target responds with an event (Figure 116).

Not receiving an event from the target after sending a continuous Tx start or stop command, indicates a problem. User is advised to press the Reset button from the horizontal toolbar and, if the problem persists, to download the firmware again to the target.

27.1.3. Unmodulated Tx/Rx

这个工具是用来执行未调制的Tx / Rxts. Mode can be Tx or Rx. When Tx mode is selected and Start button is pressed, an unmodulated Tx test starts. When Rx mode is selected and Start button is pressed, an unmodulated Rx test starts. When Stop button is pressed, unmodulated Rx or Tx test stops. In order to see the results of this test, a spectrum analyzer has to be connected to the target.

Figure 117Unmodulated Tx/Rx

Sample log output:

Figure 118Sample log output for unmodulated Tx Start command

When the unmodulated transmission starts, host sends a command with opcode 0xFC83(DA1468x family)and mode 0x54 and target responds with an event (Figure 118).

Figure 119Sample log output for unmodulated Rx Start command

When the unmodulated reception starts, host sends a command with opcode 0xFC83 and mode 0x52 and target responds with an event (Figure 119).

Figure 120Sample log output for unmodulated Stop command

When the unmodulated transmission or reception stops, host sends a command with opcode 0xFC83 and mode 0x4f and target responds with an event (Figure 120).

Not receiving an event from the target after sending an unmodulated Tx, Rx or stop command, indicates a problem. User is advised to press the Reset button from the horizontal toolbar and, if the problem persists, to download the firmware again to the target.

27.1.4. Sleep

Note

Sleeptest is not supported for DA1468x family devices.

This tool contains a set of commands that put the target to sleep for specified number of minutes and seconds.

Figure 121Sleep

There are 3 different sleep modes supported:

1. None: Active mode
2. Extended Sleep Mode
3. Deep Sleep Mode

Minutes and seconds are integer numbers between 0 and 255. If both minutes and seconds are set to zero then the device sleeps forever.

Sample log output:

Figure 122Sample log output for Sleep command

Known limitations:

1. UART communication is lost when the device wakes up from extended sleep mode.
2. The device will not wake up from deep sleep mode.

27.2. DA1469x family RF Master Tests

This section presents extra tests that are supported only for DA1469x family devices and some tests that are common for all families but their support is different for DA1469x family. The DA1469x family specific tests are organized as follows:

1. Enhanced LE Tx/Rx
2. Continuous Tx/Rx
3. OTP
4. Miscellaneous
5. Custom Action
6. Tx Power Configuration
7. RF Calibration

27.2.1. Enhanced LE Tx/Rx

This panel adds support for the Bluetooth SIGHCI_LE_Enhanced_Transmitter_Test&HCI_LE_Enhanced_Receiver_Testcommands, described in Bluetooth Core Specification v5.0/Vol.2/Part E sections 7.8.50 & 7.8.51. The commands can be used to start continuous transmission and reception at 1 or 2 MBps. Two instances are required for the test, one operating as the transmitter and one as the receiver.

27.2.1.1. Transmitter

Figure 123Enhanced LE Tx

The user can select the frequency, payload, packet length and PHY and press the start button in order to start the transmission.

Sample log output:

Figure 124Sample log output for Enhanced LE Tx command

27.2.1.2. Receiver

Figure 125Enhanced LE Rx

The user has to select the same frequency and PHY as the ones selected on the transmitter’s side in order to be able to receive data. The modulation index parameter is currently ignored.

Sample log output:

Figure 126Sample log output for Enhanced LE Rx command

IfWith RF Statsis set to Yes, extra RF stats will be presented at the log when the reception is stopped by the user.

Sample log output:

Figure 127Sample log output for Enhanced LE Rx test with RF Stats selected

27.2.2. Continuous Tx/Rx

This panel is used to start continuous Transmission and Reception at 1 or 2 Mbps and can send a burst of N packets. The tests at this panel are an extension of Enhanced Le Tx/Rx tests. Tests have been extended to support more parameters and different Tx test types. Two Toolbox instances can be used, one acting as the transmitter and the other acting as the receiver.

27.2.2.1. Transmitter

4 types of tests are supported:

1. Modulated infinite packetized test. Can be useful for debugging the TX or a peer RX at a higher communication level.
2. Modulated infinite non-packetized test. Can be used for type approval testing (ETSI, FCC, ...).
3. Modulated finite packetized test. Can be useful for more accurate board-to-board PER measurements.
4. Unmodulated infinite non-packetized test. Simple test at the RF level (e.g. debug soldering issues). In order to see the results of this test, a spectrum analyzer has to be connected to the target.

Each test type uses different set of the input parameters. Also the previous test should be stopped first in order to start another test. Some of the rules that apply per test are the following:

• Modulated infinite packetized test: IFS should be grater than 150 us. Number of packets parameter is ignored in this test.
• Modulated infinite non-packetized test: Packet length, IFS and number of packets parameters are ignored in this type of test.
• Modulated finite packetized test: Number of packets should be greater than 1.
• Unmodulated infinite non-packetized test: Only frequency is used in this type of test.

Figure 128Continuous Tx

Sample log output:

Figure 129Sample log output for Continuous Tx command

27.2.2.2. Receiver

The receiver can be used to receive packets transmitted from a modulated infinite packetized test, a modulated infinite non-packetized test or a modulated finite packetized test.

Figure 130Continuous Rx

Selected frequency, packet length, PHY and IFS on the receiver’s side should match the ones selected on the transmitter’s side. The following hold for the Receiver’s parameters:

• IFS can be either 0 (not used on the Tx side) or grater than 150 us.
• First window size accepts values in the range 1-65535.
• Window size (or normal window size) accepts values in the range 1-8171
• Packet Length accepts values in the range 0-251
• The (normal) window size is in usec or slots and is 14-bits wide.
• The actual Rx window will open for 2*Normal Window Size + SYNC_WORD_duration (16382 usec maximum).
• The First window size is in 625 usec slots and is 14-bits wide.
• The actual Rx window in this case opens for First window size duration.
• In case of a SYNC error, the Rx window will not be increased.

Sample log output:

Figure 131Sample log output for Continuous Rx command

27.2.3. OTP

The OTP panel allows the user to write/read the OTP memory. The user can enter the word offset and the number of words to read from the OTP and press theReadbutton to read from OTP memory. The user can set the OTP word contents by double clicking on theValue (Hex)column and burn them to OTP memory by pressing theWritebutton.

Figure 132Reading 10 words from OTP

注意,如果OTP词已经书面和the user tries to write a different value, the resulting word value is unpredicted, since only 0 bits can turn to 1 in OTP. The maximum number of words that can been read or written at once is 60. The maximum word offset can be 1023, with which the user can read 1 word from OTP address 0x10080FFC, which is the last OTP memory word address. In case the combination of word offset and number of words to read exceeds the OTP memory size, the command will return the following error:Error: Unsupported feature or parameter value (0x11).

Sample log output:

Figure 133Sample log output for OTP read

27.2.4. Miscellaneous

This panel contains various RF Master commands that cannot be grouped under any of the other DA1469x family specific RF Master panels. The following actions / tests can be performed via Miscellaneous panel:

1. Firmware Version: Get the Bluetooth controller version and the PLT FW version.
2. Read ADC: Read value from analog input (battery voltage).
3. Uart Loop: Echo back the received message.
4. Set Baudrate: Sets the baudrate to one of the following values: 9600, 19200, 57600, 115200, 1000000.
5. External Clock test: Checks that external 32Khz clock is connected by performing clock calibration.
6. Read Temperature: Reads die temperature via GPADC
7. Sensor Action: Perform sensor test

Figure 134Miscellaneous panel

Sample log outputs:

Figure 135Sample log output for FW get version command

Figure 136Sample log output for read ADC command

Figure 137Sample log output for uart loop command with input value 0x123456789ABCDEF

Figure 138Sample log output for sensor action read command

27.2.5. Custom Action

This panel provides the following command:

• Custom Action: Echo back the custom action.

Figure 139Custom Action panel

Figure 140Sample log output for custom action command with input value 0xBB

27.2.6. Tx Power Configuration

This panel contains a set of commands to set the Transmission (Tx) Power. Two modes are available: configuration of the Tx Power in test mode and configuration of the Tx Power in normal mode.

Tx Power configuration in test mode

Figure 141Tx Power configuration in test mode

• Power index: the power index to set, accepts values in the range 0 - 15
• Coarse attenuation: Accepts values in the range 0 - 255 (1 byte size). When the selected power index is equal to 1, coarse attenuation can be only 0, 1 or 2.
• FEM fine attenuation: Accepts values in the range 0 - 6

Sample log output:

Figure 142Sample log output for Tx Power configuration in test mode (power index: 4, coarse attenuation: 40, FEM fine attenuation: 2)

Tx Power configuration in normal mode

Figure 143Tx Power configuration in normal mode

The user can set the power for each one of the following air operation types: Advertising, Scanning, Initiation and RF Test. Power index accepts values in the range 0-17.

Sample log output:

Figure 144Sample log output for Tx Power configuration in normal mode (power index: 17, air operation: Advertising)

27.2.7. RF Calibration

This panel is used to calibrate the RF. The user can select one of the calibration types and press theCalibratebutton to start the RF calibration. The buttonGet Resultsreturns the calibration results in the log.

Figure 145RF Calibration

Sample log output:

Figure 146Sample log output with RF Calibration results