Getting Started with the FRDM-KW36

Last Modified: Mar 22, 2022Supports FRDM Development Kit for Kinetis® KW36/35/34 MCUs

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-KW36 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 FRDM-KW36 Development Platform

1.2 Attach the USB Cable

FRDM-KW36 Board

FRDM-KW36 Board

1.3 Run the Out-of-Box Demo

Your FRDM-KW36 comes loaded with a demo that flash the multi-colored LEDs when you connect the board.

FRDM-KW36 Board

FRDM-KW36 Board

2. Get Software

2.1 Installing Software for the FRDM-KW36

2.2 Download MCUXpresso SDK with Connectivity Software

MCUXpresso SDK for the FRDM-KW36 includes all the wireless connectivity stacks required to develop your solution using Generic FSK, and Bluetooth Low Energy.

Click below to download a pre-configured SDK release for the FRDM-KW36 that includes all the wireless connectivity stacks for the KW36.

Get MCUXpresso SDK

You can also use the online SDK Builder  to create a custom SDK package for the FRDM-KW36 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 PC Configuration

Many of the example applications output data over the MCU UART so you'll want to make sure that the driver for the board's virtual COM port is installed. Before you run the driver installer, you MUST have the board plugged in to your PC.

Download Driver

With the serial port driver installed, run your favorite terminal application to view the serial output from the MCU's UART. Configure the terminal to 115,200 baud rate, 8 data bits, no parity and 1 stop bit. To determine the port number of the FRDM-KW36'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.

Build, Run

3.1 Gen FSK

The FRDM-KW36 Wireless Connectivity software comes with a list of demo applications and driver examples ready to be compiled and run for each connectivity stack.

Build and Run Connectivity Demos on the FRDM-KW36

3.2 Explore the Connectivity Example Code

Generic FSK

The KW36 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\frdmkw36\wireless_examples\genfsk).

3.3 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.

3.4 Bluetooth LE

Build and Run Connectivity Demos on the FRDM-KW36

3.5 Explore the Connectivity Example Codes

Bluetooth Low Energy

The KW36 Wireless Connectivity Software package comes with a long list of demo applications for Bluetooth Low Energy protocol. To see what's available, browse to the 'examples' folder: ( <connectivity_software_install_folder>\boards\frdmkw36\wireless_examples\bluetooth).

3.6 Download the NXP IoT Toolbox for your Smartphone

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

Get it on Google Play.

3.7 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.

3.8 Hybrid (Gen FSK + Bluetooth LE)

Build and Run Connectivity Demos on the FRDM-KW36

3.9 Explore the Connectivity Example Codes

Hybrid (Gen FSK + Bluetooth LE)

The KW36 Wireless Connectivity Software package comes with a hybrid demo application (Gen FSK + Bluetooth LE). To see the hybrid demo application, browse to the 'examples' folder: (<connectivity_software_install_folder>\boards\frdmkw36\wireless_examples\hybrid).

3.10 Download the NXP IoT Toolbox for your Smartphone

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

Get it on Google Play.

3.11 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.

Create

4.1 Create an Application for the FRDM-KW36

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-KW36’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

Design Resources

Additional Resources

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LIN Transceiver

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