Getting Started with FRDM-KW41Z

Last Modified: 2019-03-19 16:30:36Supports FRDM-KW41Z | KW41Z/31Z/21Z | Wireless

Contents of this document

  • 1

    Plug It In
  • 2

    Get Software
  • 3

    Build, Run
  • 4

    Create

1. Plug It In

Let's take your FRDM-KW41Z for a test drive! You have the choice of watching the sequence in a short video or following the detailed actions list below.

1.1 Getting Started with the FRDM-KW41Z Development Board

1.2 Attach the USB Cable

FRDM-KW41Z Getting Started Image

FRDM-KW41Z Getting Started Image

1.3 Run the Out-of-Box Demo

Your FRDM-KW41Z comes loaded with a demo that flashes the multicolored LEDs when you connect the board. If you do not see the LEDs flashing, first unplug and replug in the board. If that does not resolve the issue, try contacting us through the NXP Community .

FRDM-KW41Z Getting Started Image

FRDM-KW41Z Getting Started Image

2. Get Software

Choose a Development Path:

2.1 Installing Software for the FRDM-KW41Z

2.2 Download MCUXpresso SDK with Connectivity Software

MCUXpresso SDK for the FRDM-KW41Z includes all the wireless connectivity stacks required to develop your solution using Thread, IEEE 802.15.4, Generic FSK, and Bluetooth Low Energy.

Click below to download a preconfigured SDK release for the FRDM-KW41Z that includes all the wireless connectivity stacks for the KW41Z.

Get MCUXpresso SDK

You can also use the online SDK Builder  to create a custom SDK package for the FRDM-KW41Z using the SDK builder.

2.3 Install Your Toolchain

NXP offers a complimentary toolchain called MCUXpresso IDE.

Get MCUXpresso IDE

Want to use a different toolchain?

No problem! MCUXpresso SDK connectivity stack software also supports IAR .

2.4 MCUXpresso Config Tools

The MCUXpresso Config Tools is an integrated suite of configuration tools that guides users in creating new MCUXpresso SDK projects, and also provides pin and clock tools to generate initialization C code for custom board support.

Get MCUXpresso Config Tools

2.5 Terminal Configuration

Configure your preferred terminal to 115,200 baud rate, 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit. To determine the port number of the FRDM-KW41Z's virtual COM port, open the device manager and look under the "Ports" group.

Not sure how to use a terminal application? Try one of these tutorials: Tera Term Tutorial, PuTTY Tutorial.

3. Build, Run

The KW41Z Wireless Connectivity software comes with a list of demo applications and driver examples ready to be compiled and run for each connectivity stack.

Select the Connectivity Stack that you want to explore: SMAC, IEEE 802.15.4, Gen FSK or Hybrid (Bluetooth Low Energy + Thread).

3.1 Build and Run Connectivity Demos on the FRDM-KW41Z

SMAC

IEEE 802.15.4

Gen FSK

Hybrid (Bluetooth Low Energy + Thread)

3.2 Explore the Connectivity Example Codes

SMAC

The KW41Z Wireless Connectivity Software package comes with a long list of demo applications for the SMAC protocol. To see what's available, browse to the 'examples' folder: <connectivity_software_install_folder>\boards\frdmkw41z\wireless_examples\smac.

IEEE 802.15.4

The KW41Z Wireless Connectivity Software package comes with a long list of demo applications for the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol. To see what's available, browse to the 'examples' folder: <connectivity_software_install_folder>\boards\frdmkw41z\wireless_examples\ieee_802_15_4.

Gen FSK

The KW41Z Wireless Connectivity Software package comes with the Connectivity Test demo application for Generic FSK protocol. To see what's available, browse to the 'examples' folder: <connectivity_software_install_folder>\boards\frdmkw41z\wireless_examples\genfsk.

Hybrid (Bluetooth Low Energy + Thread)

The KW41Z Wireless Connectivity Software package comes with a long list of hybrid demo applications (Thread + Bluetooth Low Energy). To see what's available, browse to the 'examples' folder: <connectivity_software_install_folder>\boards\frdmkw41z\wireless_examples\hybrid.

Connectivity Test Application

If you are interested in running the preprogrammed Connectivity Test Application that comes with your board, click here.

3.3 Download the Bluetooth Low Energy Toolbox for your Smartphone

In order to use the Bluetooth Low Energy and Hybrid examples, the Kinetis Bluetooth Low Energy Toolbox needs to be installed on a smartphone. This application provides several examples that can be used with the connectivity stack to connect your phone to the development board over Bluetooth Low Energy.

Get it on Google Play.

3.4 Build, Run, and Debug Wireless Connectivity Examples

You probably want to build and debug a demo by yourself. Use the guide below to learn how to build and debug an example application from the Wireless Connectivity Stacks in the MCUXpresso IDE or IAR Embedded Workbench IDE.

SMAC

IEEE 802.15.4

Gen FSK

Hybrid (Bluetooth Low Energy + Thread)

4. Create

4.1 Create an Application for the FRDM-KW41Z

4.2 Clone an Example Project from MCUXpresso SDK

Option A: Use the MCUXpresso IDE to clone an example project.

Option B: Use the MCUXpresso Config Tools to clone an existing MCUXpresso SDK example for use with third-party IDEs.

4.3 Use the Pins Tool

Now, let's use the Pins Tool that is part of the MCUXpresso Config Tools to show how to add a new GPIO pin to your project to blink an LED.

4.4 Use the Clocks Tool

Next, use the Clocks Tool that is part of the MCUXpresso Config Tools to change the clock settings and change the rate that the LED blinks.

4.5 Success

With the application modified, you will see the FRDM-KW41Z's blue LED slowly blinking. You can also view terminal output using the terminal program.

Tera Term Tutorial

Tera Term Tutorial

Tera Term is a very popular open source terminal emulation application. This program can be used to display information sent from your NXP development platform's virtual serial port.

  1. Download Tera Term from SourceForge. After the download, run the installer and then return to this webpage to continue
  2. Download

  3. Launch Tera Term. The first time it launches, it will show you the following dialog. Select the Serial option. Assuming your board is plugged in, there should be a COM port automatically populated in the list
  4. Configure the serial port settings (using the COM port number identified earlier) to 115,200 baud rate, 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit. To do this, go to Setup → Serial Port and change the settings
  5. Verify that the connection is open. If connected, Tera Term will show something like below in its title bar
  6. You're ready to go

PuTTY Tutorial

PuTTY Tutorial

PuTTY is a popular terminal emulation application. This program can be used to display information sent from your NXP development platform's virtual serial port.

  1. Download PuTTY using the button below. After the download, run the installer and then return to this webpage to continue
  2. Download

  3. Launch PuTTY by either double-clicking on the *.exe file you downloaded or from the Start menu, depending on the type of download you selected
  4. Configure In the window that launches, select the Serial radio button and enter the COM port number that you determined earlier. Also enter the baud rate, in this case 115,200
  5. Click Open to open the serial connection. Assuming the board is connected and you entered the correct COM port, the terminal window will open. If the configuration is not correct, PuTTY will alert you
  6. You're ready to go

Connectivity Test Application

Connectivity Test Application

The Connectivity Test Application is a SMAC-based Demo Application, which provides the user with means to test basic transmission-reception functionalities along with several advanced testing features based on the ASP and SMAC APIs.

Configuration

The runtime configuration is performed using shortcut keys, which are available in most of the application's menus. The menus or tests will change their behavior based on what settings are applied.

  • 't' - brings up the configuration menu for the transmitter in both PER and Range tests
  • 'r' - brings up the configuration menu for the receiver in both PER and Range tests
  • 'q' - increments channel number [11-26]
  • 'w' - decrements channel number [11-26]
  • 'a' - increments output power value
  • 's' - decrements output power value
  • 'n' - increments the length of the payload (used in PER TX and Transmission Control)
  • 'm': decrements the length of the payload (used in PER TX and Transmission Control)
  • 'k' - increments the CCA threshold for the Carrier Sense test
  • 'l' - decrements the CCA threshold for the Carrier Sense test

Application Usage

The Connectivity Test Application has four main features:

  1. Continuous Tests: Allows you to test the RF performance of the transceiver for basic transmitter and receiver functionality. The Test Mode application is a collection of modes consisting of the following tests
  2. Packet Error Rate: This menu depends on the 'r' or 't' shortcut key. Two boards are required to run this test, one of the boards shall be set in Rx and the other in Tx
  3. Range Test: This menu depends on the 'r' and 't' shortcuts. Two boards are required to run this test; the test is started and stopped only by user intervention and during its execution it will display the link quality for each received packet
  4. Carrier Sense and Transmission Control: This menu allows the user to choose between two tests:
    1. The Carrier Sense test performs ED continuously until the ED value is above the CCA threshold and then transmit a packet, which contains pseudo-random data with the payload size configured using 'n' and 'm' shortcuts
    2. The Transmission Control test displays a selection menu for number of packets identical with the one in PER TX test and then it prompts the user to enter the interpacket delay. After that, the application will start sending the selected number of packets with the selected interpacket delay, using pseudo-random data for the payload with the size configured with 'n' and 'm' shortcuts

For additional details on how to run the Connectivity Test Application, please refer to the "SMAC's Demonstration Applications User's Guide".

Design Resources

Learn More

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Thread

Thread is an IPv6-based mesh networking protocol developed by industry leading technology companies, like NXP®, for connecting products around the home and in buildings to each other, to the internet and to the cloud. Thread networks are simple to install, highly secure, scalable to hundreds of devices and developed to run on low-power IEEE 802.15.4 chipsets. Find out more at: Thread Networking Protocol and Thread Group .

Sensors

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NFC

Near Field Communication is a simple, intuitive technology that lets you interact securely with the world around you with a simple touch. Learn more about NXP’s NFC solutions at: NFC - Near Field Communication.

Support

Forums

Connect with other engineers and get expert advice on designing with Kinetis MCUs and Wireless Connectivity software. Go to Support or join the community discussion in one of our two dedicated communities: