Getting Started with the RD-UAMP-SENSOR Reference Design

This page will assist you in learning about your RD-UAMP-SENSOR reference design.

Get to know the hardware

2.1 Board description

The RD-UAMP-SENSOR reference design is a Cortex-M4-based current measurement board, for use with the Freedom Development Ecosystem or any other Arduino-like development boards.

The board embeds two controllable current measurement units that allow for signal filtering, automatic and manual range switching, as well as an LCD module and capacitive buttons for quick visualization and configuration.

2.2 Board features

  • Non-intrusive interfacing with any MCU board and 3.3 V shield
  • Measurement of a large range of low currents: ~60 nA – 5 mA
  • Multiple communication methods: LCD module, I2C sensor emulation, optional Bluetooth module, serial port / custom protocol through USB
  • Integration with Freedom Sensor Toolbox (CE)
  • Open-source firmware powered by FreeRTOS

2.3 Board components

Overview of the RD-UAMP-SENSOR board

GS-RD-UAMP-SENSOR-IMG1
GS-RD-UAMP-SENSOR-IMG2

Table 1. Evaluation board component descriptions

2.4 Additional board support

Refer to UM11470, RD-UAMP-SENSOR reference design for additional details on the featured components.

Configure the hardware

GS-RD-UAMP-SENSOR-IMG3

The RD-UAMP-SENSOR reference design is designed to interface with any existing 3.3 V MCU and shield combo, such as the NXP Freedom sensor development kits.

Note: RD-UAMP-SENSOR board has been tested with FRDMKL25-A8471 (FRDM-KL25Z MCU and FRDM-STBC-A8471 shield board) and FRDM-K22F-AGMP03 (FRDM-K22F MCU and FRDM-STBC-AGMP03 shield board) sensor evaluation kits.

The RD-UAMP-SENSOR board simply plugs in between the MCU and shield, mirroring all pins except for the 3.3 V supplies that now go through the current measurement units.

Note: The MCU current measurement is possible only when powered from the RD- UAMP-SENSOR’s onboard USB or battery.

3.1 Additional board support

Refer to UM11470, RD-UAMP-SENSOR reference design user manual for additional details on the hardware configuration.

Install software

Go to RD-UAMP-SENSOR tool summary page to download required software collaterals.

Prerequisite:

  1. Install STB-CE software
  2. Download and install MCUXpresso SDK for FRDMKL25-A8471 and FRDM-K22F-AGMP03
  3. Install MCUXpresso IDE (to be able to build and run embedded projects)

4.1 Additional software support

Refer to UM11470, RD-UAMP-SENSOR reference design user manual for additional details on the hardware configuration.