1
Plug It In2
Get Software3
Build, Run4
Create an Application for the FRDM-KW36Sign in to save your progress. Don't have an account? Create one.
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.
Note: For the latest Bluetooth LE 5.0 features please check the KW39/38/37.
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Your FRDM-KW36 comes loaded with a demo that flash the multi-colored LEDs when you connect the board.
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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.
You can also use the online SDK Builder to create a custom SDK package for the FRDM-KW36 using the SDK builder.
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NXP offers a complimentary toolchain called MCUXpresso IDE.
Want to use a different toolchain?. No problem! MCUXpresso SDK connectivity stack software also supports IAR.
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The MCUXpresso Config Tool 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.
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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.
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 115200 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 TutorialSomething went wrong! Please try again.
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.
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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</connectivity_software_install_folder>)
.
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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.
These steps show how to:
Load and build the demo application in IAR Embedded Workbench.
Download and run the demo application.
The example used below is for the Generic FSK Connectivity Test demo, but these steps can be applied to any of the Wireless Connectivity demo applications.
Navigate to the Connectivity Test IAR workspace located at <install_dir> </install_dir>
After the workspace is open, select the project.
Click the Make button to build the project.
Connect your FRDM-KW36 board to your PC.
Click on the Download and Debug button (green arrow located on the toolbar).
Once the project has loaded, the debugger should stop at main().
Open a Terminal Emulator program and open a session to your
FRDM-KW36 COM port.
Configure the terminal with these
settings:
Click the Go button to resume operation.
The following output will be displayed in the serial terminal.
If you don't see this output, verify your terminal settings and connections.
Refer to
“ <install_dir>\docs\wireless\GENFSK\Generic FSK
Link Layer Quick Start Guide.pdf – "Kinetis
MKW35A/MKW36A/MKW35Z/MKW36Z Generic FSK Link Layer Software"
document for more information on this demo application.
</install_dir>
These steps show how to:
Load and build the demo application in MCUXpresso IDE.
Download and run the demo application.
The example used below is for the Generic FSK Connectivity Test demo, but these steps can be applied to any of the Wireless Connectivity demo applications.
Open up the MCUXpresso IDE
Switch to the Installed SDKs view within the MCUXpresso IDE window
Open Windows Explorer, and drag and drop the FRDM-KW36 SDK (unzipped) file into the Installed SDKs view.
You will get the following pop-up. Click on OK to continue the import:
The installed SDK will appear in the Installed SDKs view as shown below:
The following steps will guide you through opening the Generic FSK example.
Find the Quickstart Panel in the lower left hand corner
Then click on Import SDK examples(s)
Click on the frdmkw36 board to select that you want to import an example that can run on that board, and then click on Next.
In the search text box, type “conn_test” to filter the example projects. Use the arrow button to expand the list and locate the “conn_test” project (wireless_examples → genfsk → conn_test), then, select the freertos version of the project and click “Finish”.
Now build the project by clicking on the project name and then in the Quickstart Panel click on Build.
You can see the status of the build in the Console tab.
Now that the project has been compiled, you can now flash it to the board and run it.
Make sure the FRDM-KW36 board is plugged in, and click in the Quickstart Panel click on Debug.
MCUXpresso IDE will probe for connected boards and should find the DAPLink CMSIS-DAP debug probe that is part of the integrated OpenSDA circuit on the FRDM-KW36. Click on OK to continue.
The firmware will be downloaded to the board and the debugger started
Once the project has loaded, the debugger should stop at main(). Open a Terminal Emulator program and open a session to your FRDM-KW36 COM port. Configure the terminal with these settings:
Click the “Run” button to resume operation.
The following output will be displayed in the serial terminal.
“ <install_dir>\docs\wireless\GENFSK\Generic FSK Link
Layer Quick Start Guide.pdf”
– "Kinetis MKW35A/MKW36A/MKW35Z/MKW36Z Generic FSK Link Layer
Software" document for more information on this demo
application.<install_dir>
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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<connectivity_software_install_folder>)
.
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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.
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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.
These steps show how to:
Load and build the demo application in MCUXpresso IDE.
Download and run the demo application.
The example used below is for the Heart Rate Sensor demo, but these steps can be applied to any of the Wireless Connectivity demo applications.
Open up the MCUXpresso IDE
Switch to the Installed SDKs view within the MCUXpresso IDE window
Open Windows Explorer, and drag and drop the FRDM-KW36 SDK (unzipped) file into the Installed SDKs view.
You will get the following pop-up. Click on OK to continue the import:
The installed SDK will appear in the Installed SDKs view as shown below:
The following steps will guide you through opening and running the Heart Rate Sensor example.
Find the Quickstart Panel in the lower left hand corner
Then click on Import SDK examples(s)
Click on the frdmkw36 board to select that you want to import an example that can run on that board, and then click on Next.
In the search text box, type “hrs” to filter the example projects. Use the arrow button to expand the list and locate the “hrs” project (wireless_examples → bluetooth → hrs), then, select the freertos version of the project and click “Finish”.
Now build the project by clicking on the project name and then in the Quickstart Panel click on Build.
You can see the status of the build in the Console tab.
Now that the project has been compiled, you can now flash it to the board and run it.
Make sure the FRDM-KW36 board is plugged in, and click in the Quickstart Panel click on Debug.
MCUXpresso IDE will probe for connected boards and should find the DAPLink CMSIS-DAP debug probe that is part of the integrated OpenSDA circuit on the FRDM-KW36. Click on OK to continue.
The firmware will be downloaded to the board and the debugger started
Click the “Stop” button to stop debugging the application. The Heart Rate Sensor demo enables low power by default, so, the debug pins are disabled to save power.
Open the NXP IoT Toolbox application on your mobile device and click on the “Heart Rate”.
Reset the FRDM-KW36 by pressing “SW1” button and press “SW3” to start advertising. Verify that the device is listed in the IoT Toolbox as shown in the next picture.
Select the listed device to make a connection. The IoT Toolbox should display the information of the Heart Rate Sensor.
Refer to “
<sdk_dir>\docs\wireless\Bluetooth\BLE Demo Applications
User's Guide.pdf”
– " Bluetooth® Low Energy Demo Applications User’s
Guide" document for more information on this demo application.
<sdk_dir>
These steps show how to:
Load and build the demo application in MCUXpresso IDE.
Download and run the demo application.
The example used below is for the Heart Rate Sensor demo, but these steps can be applied to any of the Wireless Connectivity demo applications.
Open up the MCUXpresso IDE
Switch to the Installed SDKs view within the MCUXpresso IDE window
Open Windows Explorer, and drag and drop the FRDM-KW36 SDK (unzipped) file into the Installed SDKs view.
You will get the following pop-up. Click on OK to continue the import:
The installed SDK will appear in the Installed SDKs view as shown below:
The following steps will guide you through opening and running the Heart Rate Sensor example.
Find the Quickstart Panel in the lower left hand corner
Then click on Import SDK examples(s)…
Click on the frdmkw36 board to select that you want to import an example that can run on that board, and then click on Next.
In the search text box, type “hrs” to filter the example projects. Use the arrow button to expand the list and locate the “hrs” project (wireless_examples → bluetooth → hrs), then, select the freertos version of the project and click “Finish”.
Now build the project by clicking on the project name and then in the Quickstart Panel click on Build.
You can see the status of the build in the Console tab.
Now that the project has been compiled, you can now flash it to the board and run it.
Make sure the FRDM-KW36 board is plugged in, and click in the Quickstart Panel click on Debug.
MCUXpresso IDE will probe for connected boards and should find the DAPLink CMSIS-DAP debug probe that is part of the integrated OpenSDA circuit on the FRDM-KW36. Click on OK to continue.
The firmware will be downloaded to the board and the debugger started
Click the “Stop” button to stop debugging the application. The Heart Rate Sensor demo enables low power by default, so, the debug pins are disabled to save power.
Open the NXP IoT Toolbox application on your mobile device and click on the “Heart Rate”.
Reset the FRDM-KW36 by pressing “SW1” button and press “SW3” to start advertising. Verify that the device is listed in the IoT Toolbox as shown in the next picture.
Select the listed device to make a connection. The IoT Toolbox should display the information of the Heart Rate Sensor.
Refer to
“ <sdk_dir>\docs\wireless\Bluetooth\BLE Demo
Applications User's Guide.pdf”
– " Bluetooth® Low Energy Demo Applications User’s
Guide" document for more information on this demo application.
<sdk_dir>
Something went wrong! Please try again.
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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 (\boards\frdmkw36\wireless_examples\hybrid).
Something went wrong! Please try again.
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.
Something went wrong! Please try again.
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.
These steps show how to:
Load and build the demo application in IAR Embedded Workbench.
Download and run the demo application.
The example used below is for the Hybrid Bluetooth LE Generic FSK Advertising demo, but these steps can be applied to any of the Wireless Connectivity demo applications. This demo requires two FRDM-KW36 boards. One known as “Transmitter” which transmits Bluetooth LE and Generic FSK packets. The other known as a “Receiver” which receives Bluetooth LE and Generic FSK packets.
Navigate to the Hybrid Bluetooth LE Generic FSK Advertising demo
(ble_gfsk_adv) IAR workspace located the next path:“
<sdk_dir>
\boards\frdmkw36\wireless_examples\hybrid\ble_gfsk_adv\freertos\iar”
<sdk_dir>
After the workspace is open, select the project.
Click the Make button to build the project.
Connect the first FRDM-KW36 board to your PC.
Click on the Download and Debug button (green arrow located on the toolbar).
Once the project has loaded, the debugger should stop at main().
Click the “Stop” button to stop debugging the application. At this point, we have programmed one board.
Connect the second FRDM-KW36 board to your PC and download the same project as in the previous board.
At this point, you have programmed two FRDM-KW36 boards with the ble_gfsk_adv demo.
Open a Terminal Emulator program and open a session to one of the FRDM-KW36 COM ports.
Open a second Terminal Emulator program and open a session to the other FRDM-KW36 COM port using the same port configuration.
Press the reset button on both boards.
The next menu should be displayed in both terminals.
Board 1: Start transmitting advertisements. Press SW2 button in one of the FRDM-KW36 boards. The serial terminal connected to the board should display the following text
This will be the “transmitter” board.
Board 2: Start scanning packets. Press SW3 button on the second FRDM-KW36 board. This is to set the board in receiver or scanning mode. Then, press SW2 button to start the application and display the received packets in the serial terminal connected to this board. Bluetooth LE and Generic FSK packets should be displayed as shown in the next image.
Refer to “
<sdk_dir>docs\wireless\Bluetooth\BLE Demo Applications
User's Guide.pdf”– "
Bluetooth® Low Energy Demo Applications User’s Guide"
document for detailed instructions about the available Bluetooth
LE demo applications.<sdk_dir>
These steps show how to:
Load and build the demo application in MCUXpresso IDE.
Download and run the demo application.
The example used below is for the Hybrid Bluetooth LE Generic FSK Advertising demo, but these steps can be applied to any of the Wireless Connectivity demo applications. This demo requires two FRDM-KW36 boards. One known as “Transmitter” which transmits Bluetooth LE and Generic FSK packets. The other known as a “Receiver” which receives Bluetooth LE and Generic FSK packets.
Open up the MCUXpresso IDE
Switch to the Installed SDKs view within the MCUXpresso IDE window
Open Windows Explorer, and drag and drop the FRDM-KW36 SDK (unzipped) file into the Installed SDKs view.
You will get the following pop-up. Click on OK to continue the import:
The installed SDK will appear in the Installed SDKs view as shown below:
The following steps will guide you through opening and running the Hybrid Bluetooth LE Generic FSK Advertising example.
Find the Quickstart Panel in the lower left hand corner
Then click on Import SDK examples(s)
Click on the frdmkw36 board to select that you want to import an example that can run on that board, and then click on Next.
In the search text box, type “ble_gfsk_adv” to filter the example projects. Use the arrow button to expand the list and locate the “ble_gfsk_adv” project (wireless_examples → hybrid → ble_gfsk_adv), then, select the freertos version of the project and click “Finish”.
Now build the project by clicking on the project name and then in the Quickstart Panel click on Build.
You can see the status of the build in the Console tab.
Now that the project has been compiled, you can now flash it to the board and run it.
Make sure the FRDM-KW36 board is plugged in, and click in the Quickstart Panel click on Debug.
MCUXpresso IDE will probe for connected boards and should find the DAPLink CMSIS-DAP debug probe that is part of the integrated OpenSDA circuit on the FRDM-KW36. Click on OK to continue.
The firmware will be downloaded to the board and the debugger started
Click the “Stop” button to stop debugging the application. At this point, we have programmed one board.
Connect the second FRDM-KW36 board to your PC and download the same project as in the previous board.
At this point, you have programmed two FRDM-KW36 boards with the ble_gfsk_adv demo.
Open a Terminal Emulator program and open a session to one of the FRDM-KW36 COM ports.
Open a second Terminal Emulator program and open a session to the other FRDM-KW36 COM port using the same port configuration.
Press the reset button on both boards.
The next menu should be displayed in both terminals.
Board 1: Start transmitting advertisements. Press SW2 button in one of the FRDM-KW36 boards. The serial terminal connected to the board should display the following text
This will be the “transmitter” board.
Board 2: Start scanning packets. Press SW3 button on the second FRDM-KW36 board. This is to set the board in receiver or scanning mode. Then, press SW2 button to start the application and display the received packets in the serial terminal connected to this board. Bluetooth LE and Generic FSK packets should be displayed as shown in the next image.
Refer to “
<sdk_dir>\docs\wireless\Bluetooth\BLE Demo Applications
User's Guide.pdf”–"
Bluetooth® Low Energy Demo Applications User’s Guide"
document for detailed instructions about the available Bluetooth
LE demo applications.<sdk_dir>
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Option A: Use the MCUXpresso IDE to clone an example project.
Option B: Use the MCUXpresso Config Tool to clone an existing MCUXpresso SDK example for use with third party IDEs.
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Now, let's use the Pins tool that is part of the MCUXpresso Config Tool to show how to add a new GPIO pin to your project to blink an LED.
Now export the pin_mux.c and pin_mux.h files by clicking on the Sources tab on the right side to get to the Sources view, and selecting the export icon.
Select the directory to export the pin_mux.c and pin_mux.h files. In this example export to the “board” folder in the led_output project in the workspace that was created in the previous section.
(i.e. C:\nxp_workspace\frdmkw41z_driver_examples_gpio_led_output\board). Select Finish.
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Next use the Clocks tool that is part of the MCUXpresso Config Tool to change the clock settings and change the rate that the LED blinks.
Select the directory to export the pin_mux.c and pin_mux.h files. In this example export to the “board” folder in the led_output project in the workspace that was created in the previous section.
(i.e. C:\nxp_workspace\frdmkw41z_driver_examples_gpio_led_output\board). Select Finish.
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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.
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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.
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.
The KW36/35 is an ultra low power, highly integrated single-chip device that enables Bluetooth low energy (LE) ver. 5.0 and Generic FSK (at 250, 500 and 1000 kbps) RF connectivity for automotive embedded systems. Find out more at KW36/35 product page.
With more than 30 years of sensor innovation, our latest sensing solutions portfolio launches a new era for the industry. Our next-generation sensors feature a perfect balance of intelligent integration, logic, and customizable platform software to enable smarter, more differentiated applications. Find out more at http://nxp.com/sensors
The TJA1057 is part of the Mantis family of high-speed CAN transceivers. It provides an interface between a Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol controller and the physical two-wire CAN bus. Learn more at TJA1057 product page
The TJA1027 is the interface between the Local Interconnect Network (LIN) leader/follower protocol controller and the physical bus in a LIN network. Learn more at TJA1027 product page
Installing software for the FRDM-KW36
Download MCUXpresso SDK with Connectivity Software
Install Your Toolchain
MCUXpresso Config Tools
PC Configuration
Gen FSK
Explore the Connectivity Example Code
Build, Run and Debug Wireless Connectivity Examples
Bluetooth LE
Explore the Connectivity Example Codes
Download the NXP IoT Toolbox for your smartphone
Build, Run and Debug Wireless Connectivity Examples
Hybrid (Gen FSK + Bluetooth LE)
Explore the Connectivity Example Codes
Download the NXP IoT Toolbox for your smartphone
Build, Run and Debug Wireless Connectivity Examples