Silicon Laboratories Thunderboard EFM8UB3 Manuel utilisateur
UG308: Thunderboard EFM8UB3 User's
Guide
The Thunderboard EFM8UB3 is a low cost, small form factor de-
velopment and evaluation platform for the EFM8™ Universal Bee
Microcontroller.
The Thunderboard contains an EFM8UB3 MCU together with an on-board SEGGER J-
Link debugger for easy debugging through the USB Micro-B debugging connector. All of
the EFM8 I/Os are routed to breakout pads on the sides of the board making it easy to
expand on the board features and evaluate the EFM8 Universal Bee's features with cus-
tom hardware.
TARGET DEVICE
• EFM8 Universal Bee Microcontroller
(EFM8UB31F40G-A-QFN24)
• Pipelined 8-bit C8051 core with 48 MHz
maximum operating frequency
• 40 kB flash memory and 3328 bytes RAM
• USB feature set
KIT FEATURES
• USB connectivity
• SEGGER J-Link on-board debugger
• Virtual COM port
• User RGB LED and pushbuttons
• 2.54 mm breakout pads to EFM8
• Flat flexible cable connector for external
Silicon Labs "postage-stamp" sized
boards
• Optional Mini-Simplicity connector for
Advanced Energy Monitoring using
external Silicon Labs debugger
SOFTWARE SUPPORT
• Simplicity Studio™
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction ................................3
1.1 Kit Contents ..............................3
1.2 Getting Started .............................3
1.3 Kit Hardware Layout............................3
2. Electrical Specifications ...........................4
2.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings .........................4
3. Hardware .................................5
3.1 Block Diagram..............................5
3.2 Power Supply ..............................6
3.2.1 Self-Powered Mode ..........................6
3.2.2 Bus-Powered Mode ..........................6
3.3 Universal Serial Bus ............................7
3.4 Push Buttons and RGB LED .........................7
3.5 On-board Debugger ............................8
3.6 EFM8 Reset ..............................8
3.7 Connectors ...............................9
3.7.1 Breakout Pads ...........................10
3.7.2 Mini Simplicity Connector ........................11
3.7.3 EFM8 USB Micro-B Connector ......................11
3.7.4 Debug USB Micro-B Connector ......................11
3.7.5 Flat Flexible Cable Connector ......................12
4. Debugging ............................... 13
4.1 On-board Debugger Considerations ......................13
4.2 Virtual COM Port .............................14
4.3 Mini Simplicity Connector ..........................14
5. Kit Configuration and Upgrades ....................... 15
5.1 Firmware Upgrades ............................15
6. Schematics, Assembly Drawings and BOM ................... 16
7. Kit Revision History and Errata ....................... 17
7.1 Revision History .............................17
7.2 Errata ................................17
8. Board Revision History and Errata ...................... 18
8.1 Revision History .............................18
8.2 Errata ................................18
9. Document Revision History ......................... 19
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1. Introduction
The Thunderboard EFM8UB3 (OPN: SLTB005A) is an excellent starting point to get familiar with the EFM8 Universal Bee Microcontrol-
lers. The Thunderboard contains an EFM8UB3 MCU together with an on-board SEGGER J-Link debugger for easy programming and
debugging through the USB Micro-B debug connector. The debugger also provides a USB virtual COM port for serial connection to the
target application.
All of the EFM8 I/Os are routed to breakout pads on the sides of the board making it easy to expand on the board features and evaluate
the EFM8 Universal Bee's features with custom hardware.
1.1 Kit Contents
The following items are included in the box:
• 1x Thunderboard EFM8UB3 board (BRD5002A)
• 1x Micro USB 2.0 to USB A male cable
1.2 Getting Started
Detailed instructions for how to get started with your new Thunderboard EFM8UB3 can be found on the Silicon Labs web pages:
http://www.silabs.com/start-efm8
1.3 Kit Hardware Layout
The layout of the Thunderboard EFM8UB3 is shown below.
30 mm
45 mm
USB Micro-B Debug Connector
- Virtual COM port
- Debug access
Breakout Pads
USB Micro-B Connector
- Connected to EFM8
Reset Button
Push Button 1 Push Button 0
Mini Simplicity
Connector
Power Source
Slide Switch
EFM8
Universal Bee 3
On-board USB
J-Link Debugger
Top view Bottom view
Flat Flexible Cable
Connector
RGB LED
{
2.54 mm pitch
Figure 1.1. Thunderboard EFM8UB3 Hardware Layout
UG308: Thunderboard EFM8UB3 User's Guide
Introduction
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2. Electrical Specifications
2.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings
Parameter Condition Min Typ Max Unit
Input voltage on EFM8 USB connector -0.3 - +5.8 V
Input voltage on debug USB connector 0 - +5.5 V
Output current Power-Source switch = EFM8 USB - - 100 mA
Power-Source switch = DBG USB - - 300 mA
Voltage on any breakout pad (excluding
P0.4, P0.5, P2.0 and RST)
VMCU > 3.3 V -0.3 - 5.8 V
VMCU < 3.3 V -0.3 - VMCU + 2.5 V
Voltage on P0.4, P0.5, P2.0 and RST
breakout pad 1
-0.3 - VMCU + 0.3 V
Current per EFM8 I/O pin -100 - 100 mA
Total current for all EFM8 I/O pins -400 - 400 mA
1 Limited by the debugger.
UG308: Thunderboard EFM8UB3 User's Guide
Electrical Specifications
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3. Hardware
3.1 Block Diagram
An overview of the Thunderboard EFM8UB3 is illustrated in the figure below.
Mini-Simplicity
Connector
(Not mounted)
EFM8UB3
Microcontroller
USB Micro-B
Connector
J-Link
Debugger
USB Micro-B
Connector
Power Source
Switch
Power
User Buttons
& RGB LED
Breakout Pads
(EXP-Header pinout)
Flat Flexible
Cable Connector
DBG USB VBUS
EFM8 USB VBUS
C2 Debug
Virtual COM
USB
Figure 3.1. Kit Block Diagram
UG308: Thunderboard EFM8UB3 User's Guide
Hardware
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3.2 Power Supply
The EFM8 on the kit can be bus-powered, using its internal 5V-to-3.3 V regulator to provide power to itself and the VMCU net, or the
EFM8 can be self-powered with its internal regulator disabled. In self-powered mode, the EFM8 and the VMCU net are powered by an
on-board low-dropout regulator. Configuring the kit is done using the slide switch marked "Power Source" located in the lower right
corner of the board.
3.2.1 Self-Powered Mode
When the "Power Source" slide switch is in the "DBG USB" position, the EFM8 is connected in self-powered mode with its internal
regulator disabled. In this configuration, the EFM8 and the VMCU net are powered by an on-board regulator, which draws power from
the USB Micro-B debugging connector. The low-dropout regulator has a total output current capacity of 300 mA, in which some is being
used to power the on-board debugger through the 3V3 net.
LDO
VDDVREGIN
EFM8 USB
VBUS
VMCU
DBG USB
LDO
5V 3V3
Power Source
DBG
USB
LDO
VDDVREGIN
VBUS
EFM8UB3
Figure 3.2. Self-powered Mode
3.2.2 Bus-Powered Mode
When the "Power Source" slide switch is in the "EFM8 USB" position, the EFM8 is connected in bus-powered mode. In this configura-
tion, the EFM8 and the VMCU net are powered by the EFM8UB3's internal 5V-to-3.3 V regulator. The input of the internal regulator
(VREGIN) is connected to the VBUS line of the USB Micro-B connector that is connected to the EFM8's USB peripheral.
Isolated from VMCU
LDO
VDDVREGIN
EFM8 USB
VBUS
VMCU
DBG USB
LDO
5V 3V3
Power Source
EFM8
USB
EFM8UB3
Figure 3.3. Bus-powered Mode
UG308: Thunderboard EFM8UB3 User's Guide
Hardware
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3.3 Universal Serial Bus
The Thunderboard EFM8UB3 board is equipped with a USB Micro-B connector interfacing with the EFM8's USB peripheral. The figure
below shows how the USB lines are connected to the MCU. Note that the figure shows the bus-powered configuration, applicable when
the "Power Source" slide switch is in the "EFM8 USB" position. When the switch is in the "DBG USB" position, VREGIN is disconnected
from the VBUS-line and VDD is shorted to VREGIN. For more information, see Section 3.2 Power Supply.
USB Micro-B
Connector
LDO
VDDVREGIN
P2.1/VBUS
VMCU
D+
D-
VBUS
D-
D+
Bus-powered configuration shown
(switch in EFM8 USB position).
Power Source
EFM8
USB
EFM8UB3
EFM8 USB
Figure 3.4. Universal Serial Bus
3.4 Push Buttons and RGB LED
The kit has two user push buttons marked BTN0 and BTN1. They are connected directly to the EFM8 and are debounced by RC filters
with a time constant of 1 ms. The buttons are connected to pins P0.2 and P0.3.
The kit also features an RGB LED placed between the two push buttons that is controlled by GPIO pins on the EFM8. The LEDs are
connected in an active-low configuration, and each color can be PWM controlled using the EFM8's Programmable Counter Array
(PCA0) peripheral to generate a wide variety of colors.
User Buttons
& RGB LED
EXP11_LED_RED
EXP7_LED_GREEN
EXP9_LED_BLUE
BUTTON0
[PCA0_CEX2] P1.6
[PCA0_CEX1] P1.4
[PCA0_CEX0] P1.5
P0.2
P0.3 BUTTON1
EFM8UB3
Figure 3.5. Buttons and LEDs
UG308: Thunderboard EFM8UB3 User's Guide
Hardware
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3.5 On-board Debugger
The Thunderboard EFM8UB3 contains a microcontroller separate from the EFM8 Universal Bee that provides the user with a on-board
J-Link debugger through the USB micro-B debugging port. This microcontroller is referred to as the "On-board Debugger", and is not
programmable by the user.
In addition to providing code download and debug features, the on-board debugger also presents a virtual COM port for general pur-
pose application serial data transfer.
Figure 3.6 On-Board Debugger Connections on page 8 shows the connections between the target EFM8 device and the on-board
debugger. The figure also shows the presence of the Mini Simplicity Connector, and how this is connected to the same I/O pins. Please
refer to section 4. Debugging and section 5. Kit Configuration and Upgrades for more details on debugging.
Mini Simplicity
Connector
RSTb/C2CK
C2D/P2.0
P0.4 [UART1_TX]
P0.5 [UART1_RX]
On-Board
J-Link
Debugger
EXP12_UART_TX
EXP14_UART_RX
EFM8_C2CK
EFM8_C2D
Host
PC USB
EFM8UB3
Figure 3.6. On-Board Debugger Connections
3.6 EFM8 Reset
The EFM8 MCU can be reset by a few different sources:
• A user pressing the RESET button.
• The on-board debugger pulling the EFM8 RSTb pin low.
• An external debugger pulling the EFM8 RSTb pin low.
In addition to the reset sources mentioned above, the debugger will also issue a reset to the EFM8 when starting up. This means that
removing power to the debugger (unplugging the USB Micro-B cable) will not generate a reset, but plugging the cable back in will cause
a reset as the debugger starts up.
UG308: Thunderboard EFM8UB3 User's Guide
Hardware
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3.7 Connectors
Featured on the Thunderboard EFM8UB3 is a Mini Simplicity connector, two USB Micro-B connectors, a ribbon connector, and 24
breakout pads. Of the breakout pads, 20 follow the Silicon Labs EXP header pinout that provides a fixed feature set across Silicon Labs
starter kits.
The placement and pinout of the connectors can be seen in the figure below. See the following sub chapters for additional information
on the connectors.
Breakout Pads
Hirose FH12-6S-0.5SH(55)
EXP2 - VMCU
EXP4 - SPI_MOSI - P1.0
EXP18 - 5V
EXP20 - 3V3
EXP6 - SPI_MISO - P0.7
EXP8 - SPI_SCLK - P0.6
EXP10 - SPI_CS - P1.1
EXP12 - UART_TX - P0.4
EXP14 - UART_RX - P0.5
EXP16 - I2C_SDA - P1.2
GND - EXP1
P0.0 - UART_CTS - EXP3
P0.1 - UART_RTS - EXP5
P1.4 - EXP7
P1.5 - EXP9
P1.6 - EXP11
P2.1 - EXP13
P1.3 - I2C_SCL - EXP15
BOARD_ID_SCL - EXP17
BOARD_ID_SDA - EXP19
P0.3 - BUTTON1
P0.2 - BUTTON0
C2CK / RSTb
C2D - P2.0
DBG USB
Micro-B
Connector
EFM8 USB
Micro-B
Connector
Mini Simplicity
Connector
Top Side
Flat Flexible Cable Connector
(on reverse side)
VMCU
SENSOR_OUT
GND
I2C_SDA
I2C_SCL
SENSOR_TAMPER
Mini Simplicity
Connector
2 1
VMCU
RST
P0.4 - VCOM_TX
P2.0 - C2D
NC
GND
VCOM_RX - P0.5
Not in use by EFM8
C2CK - RSTb/C2CK
NC
Breakout Pads
Figure 3.7. Thunderboard EFM8UB3 Connectors
UG308: Thunderboard EFM8UB3 User's Guide
Hardware
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3.7.1 Breakout Pads
The board provides access to every I/O pin of the EFM8 through 24 breakout pads. Twelve of these are located along the left side of
the board while the remaining twelve are located on the right side of the board. The breakout pads contain a number of I/O pins that
can be used with most of the EFM8 Universal Bee's features. Additionally, the VMCU (EFM8 power rail), 3.3V (debug LDO regulator
output), and 5V power rails are also exported.
20 of the breakout pads are pinned out similar to the EXP header found on Silicon Labs Starter Kits, which ensures that commonly
used peripherals such as SPI, UART and I2C buses are available on fixed locations. The rest of the pins are used for general purpose
IO. This allows the definition of expansion boards that can can be used in conjunction with a number of different Silicon Labs starter
kits.
The pin-routing on the EFM8 is very flexible, so most peripherals can be routed to any pin. However, some pins are shared between the
breakout pads and other functions on the Thunderboard EFM8UB3. The table below shows an overview of the breakout pads and func-
tionality that is shared with the kit.
Note: The breakout tab labeled P2.1 in the silkscreen (number 9 on the left side) is connected to a resistor divider on the EFM8 USB
VBUS line. Voltages above VMCU may appear on this pad.
Table 3.1. Breakout Pads Pinout
Number EFM8 Connection EXP Header Pin Shared Feature on Kit Peripheral Mapping
Left Side Breakout Pads (top to bottom)
1 P0.2 - Button
2 P0.3 - Button
3 GND EXP1 - Ground Ground
4 P0.0 EXP3 SENSOR_OUT
5 P0.1 EXP5 SENSOR_TAMPER
6 P1.4 EXP7 LED PCA0_CEX0
7 P1.5 EXP9 LED PCA0_CEX1
8 P1.6 EXP11 LED PCA0_CEX2
9 1P2.1 / VBUS EXP13 Connected to EFM8 USB 5V through resistor divider
10 P1.3 EXP15 - I2C_SCL SENSOR_SCL SMBUS0_SCL
11 NC EXP17 - Connected to Board Controller for identification of add-on boards
12 NC EXP19 - Connected to Board Controller for identification of add-on boards
Right Side Breakout Pads (top to bottom)
1 C2D / P2.0 - C2D
2 RSTb / C2CK - C2CK / RST
3 VDD EXP2 - VMCU EFM8 voltage domain, included in AEM measurements
4 P1.0 EXP4 - SPI_MOSI SPI0_MOSI
5 P0.7 EXP6 - SPI_MISO SPI0_MISO
6 P0.6 EXP8 - SPI_SCLK SPI0_SCK
7 P1.1 EXP10 - SPI_CS SPI0_NSS
8 P0.4 EXP12 - UART_TX Virtual COM Port UART1_TX0
9 P0.5 EXP14 - UART_RX Virtual COM Port UART1_RX0
10 P1.2 EXP16 - I2C_SDA SENSOR_SDA SMBUS0_SDA
UG308: Thunderboard EFM8UB3 User's Guide
Hardware
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Table des matières
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