Getting Started with the USB-KW41Z | NXP Semiconductors

Getting Started with the USB-KW41Z

Last Modified: 2019-03-22 14:09:24Supports USB-KW41Z | KW41Z/31Z/21Z | Bluetooth®

Contents of this document

  • 1

    Plug It In
  • 2

    Get Software
  • 3

    Build, Run
  • 4

    Create
  • 5

    Learn

1. Plug It In

Let's take your USB-KW41Z for a test drive!

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1.1 Attach the USB-KW41Z to the PC

1.2 Start the Board and Run the Out-of-Box Demo

Your USB-KW41Z Power green LED should stay ON when you connect the board.

USB-KW41Z Getting Started Image

USB-KW41Z Getting Started Image

2. Get Software

In this step, we are going to guide you through the process to get the required software to enable the USB-KW41Z dongle as a Bluetooth Low Energy or IEEE 802.15.4 sniffer. You can also use the USB-KW41Z as a development platform. Select the option you want to accomplish with your USB-KW41Z.

2.1 Choose a Development Path

  • USB-KW41Z Sniffer
  • USB-KW41Z Development Platform

Installing software for the USB-KW41Z

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2.2 Download MCUXpresso SDK with Connectivity Software

MCUXpresso SDK for the USB-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 pre-configured SDK release for the USB-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 USB-KW41Z using the SDK builder.

2.3 Install Wireshark for Bluetooth Low Energy and IEEE 802.15.4 Sniffing

Wireshark is an Open-source network protocol analyzer. It can show you what is being sent over the air, and is a very useful tool for debugging communication between devices.

Get Wireshark network protocol analyzer

2.4 Install Kinetis Protocol Analyzer Adapter

The Kinetis Protocol Analyzer Adapter is a software program that provides a bridge between the USB-KW41Z board and Wireshark. It needs to be installed so that the USB-KW41Z will appear to Wireshark as a network interface that can be sniffed. Click the button below to download and install this software on your computer.

2.5 Programming USB-KW41Z as Sniffer

USB-KW41Z comes pre-programmed with sniffer firmware by default. However, if you erased the pre-programmed software in the USB-KW41Z, you can follow the steps provided in the guide below to reprogram the USB-KW41Z with the sniffer application again.

3. Build, Run

Each of the Our Wireless Connectivity Stack comes with a list of demo applications and driver examples ready to be compiled and run.

3.1 Select the Connectivity Stack that you Want to Explore

  • SMAC
  • IEEE 802.15.4
  • Gen FSK
  • Hybrid (BLE + Thread)

Build and Run Connectivity Demos on the USB-KW41Z

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3.2 Explore the Connectivity Example Codes

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 (\boards\usbkw41z_kw41z\wireless_examples\smac).

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.

Build and Run Connectivity Demos on the USB-KW41Z

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1. Explore the Connectivity Example Codes

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 (\boards\usbkw41z_kw41z\wireless_examples\ieee_802_15_4 ).

2. 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.

Build and Run Connectivity Demos on the USB-KW41Z

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1. Explore the Connectivity Example Code

Generic FSK

The KW41Z Wireless Connectivity Software package comes with a long list of demo applications for the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol. To see what's available, browse to the 'examples' (\boards\usbkw41z_kw41z\wireless_examples\genfsk ).

2 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.

Build and Run Connectivity Demos on the USB-KW41Z

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1. Explore the Connectivity Example Codes

Hybrid (BLE + Thread)

The KW41Z Wireless Connectivity Software package comes with a long list of hybrid demo applications (Thread + BLE). To see what's available, browse to the 'examples' folder (\boards\usbkw41z_kw41z\wireless_examples\hybrid ).

2. Download the BLE Toolbox for your smartphone

In order to use the Bluetooth Low Energy and Hybrid examples, the Kinetis BLE 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.

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.

4. Create

NXP provides a project cloner tool which allows you to copy an existing demo to use as a base for your own development, keeping the original demo app resources for reference. The cloner tool is included in your software package download. It can be found in \tools\wireless\ProjectCloner.

4.1 Clone an Example Project from MCUXpresso SDK

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.

4.2 Use the Pins Tool

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.

4.3 Use the Clocks Tool

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.

4.4 Success

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

5. Learn

Explore beyond the USB-KW41Z by integrating other NXP solutions and software to your project and interact with our worldwide design community

5.1 IoT Modular Gateway

The NXP modular IoT Gateway reference design enables large node networks (LNNs) with pre-integrated, tested and RF certified support for a wide array of wireless communications protocols including: Thread, ZigBee and Wi-Fi. This range of capability allows developers to easily build gateways based on this solution, using their choice of wireless protocols for end-to-end wireless communications in LNN configurations with supporting cloud options such as Amazon Web Services (AWS).

5.2 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. Learn more at http://nxp.com/thread and http://threadgroup.org .

5.3 Sensors

Explore the world with a full assortment of NXP sensor solutions. From accelerometers, pressure sensors, touch sensors, and many more, NXP has a sensor solution for your project. Find out more at http://nxp.com/sensors

5.4 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 http://nxp.com/nfc

5.5 Kinetis and Wireless Connectivity Communities

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

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 115200 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 it's title bar.
  6. You're ready to go

PuTTY Tutorial

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 115200.
  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