Application Report

SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007

Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500

Miguel Morales .................................................................................................... MSP430 Applications

ABSTRACT
This application report documents the wireless temperature-sensor network
demonstration application provided with the eZ430-RF2500 development tool. The
application uses Texas Instruments SimpliciTI™ wireless communication protocol to set
up a simple network in which end devices communicate sampled temperature and
voltage data to a network access point. The access point communicates all collected
data through an available UART to a PC COM port. This port is then used with an
accompanying graphical user interface (GUI) to display the data in a user-friendly
manner. This document is intended to act as a guide for the eZ430-RF2500 firmware
only. It does not focus on the use of the accompanying Network Visualizer GUI or on
the SimpliciTI network protocol. For more information on the Network Visualizer and
SimpliciTI network protocol, see Appendix B and the SimpliciTI protocol documentation
on the web, respectively.

Note: Due to a change in IAR compiler calling conventions, the Wireless

Sensor Monitor v1.0.2 only runs with the latest version of IAR
Embedded Workbench® KickStart v5.10, available online at
http://focus.ti.com/docs/toolsw/folders/print/iar-kickstart.html. The code
will NOT compile with KickStart v3.42 and will return a linker error.

Contents
1 Wireless Sensor Monitor Network Overview .................................................... 2
2 Application Firmware ............................................................................... 5
3 Performance Overview ........................................................................... 10
4 References ......................................................................................... 15
Appendix A Wireless Sensor Monitor v1.02 FAQs ................................................ 16
Appendix B Network Visualizer GUI ................................................................. 17

List of Figures
1 eZ430-RF2500 Development Kit Components ................................................. 2
2 Application Splash Screen ........................................................................ 3
3 Flowchart for demo_AP.c .......................................................................... 5
4 System Initialization ................................................................................ 6
5 sCB Callback Function ............................................................................. 7
6 Flowchart for Peer Frame Handling .............................................................. 8
7 Flowchart for demo_ED.c.......................................................................... 9
8 End Device Test Platform ........................................................................ 10
9 End Device 4-Second Current Profile .......................................................... 11
10 End Device Transmission Current Profile ...................................................... 11
11 End Device Transmission (Zoomed) ........................................................... 13
12 Years of Operation vs Transmission Interval .................................................. 15
B-1 Network Visualizer Screen ....................................................................... 17
B-2 Network Visualizer Display Settings ............................................................ 18
B-3 Network Visualizer Console Window ........................................................... 18
SimpliciTI is a trademark of Texas Instruments.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007 Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500 1
Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Wireless Sensor Monitor Network Overview

1 Wireless Sensor Monitor Network Overview

1.1 System Component Overview

This wireless temperature sensor network application was created as an example of a wireless application
using the combination of MSP430 microcontroller, a CC2500 low-power wireless radio from Texas
Instruments, and the SimpliciTI network protocol. Specifically, the Wireless Sensor Monitor leverages two
existing solutions to implement the application:
1. eZ430-RF2500 Design Kit
2. SimpliciTI Network Protocol

1.1.1 eZ430-RF2500
The eZ430-RF2500 is a complete USB-based MSP430 wireless development tool providing all the
hardware and software to evaluate the MSP430F2274 microcontroller and CC2500 2.4-GHz wireless
transceiver. The eZ430-RF2500T target board is an out-of-the-box wireless system that may be used with
the USB debugging interface as a stand-alone system with or without external sensors, or it may be
incorporated into an existing design. The new USB debugging interface enables eZ430-RF2500 to
remotely send and receive data from a PC using the MSP430 application UART, referred to as the
application backchannel.
The eZ430-RF2500 features:
• USB debugging and programming interface featuring a driverless installation and application
backchannel
• 21 available development pins
• Highly integrated, ultra-low-power MSP430 MCU with 16-MHz performance
• Two general-purpose digital I/O pins connected to green and red LEDs for visual feedback
• Interruptible push button for user feedback [1]
The battery pack with the expansion board is used to remotely run firmware on an eZ430-RF2500T target
board (see Figure 1). For more specific information on the eZ430-RF2500, visit the Texas Instruments
website www.ti.com/ez430-rf or see the eZ430-RF2500 User's Guide (SLAU227). [1]

Figure 1. eZ430-RF2500 Development Kit Components

1.1.2 SimpliciTI Network Protocol

The SimpliciTI network protocol is a proprietary low-power radio-frequency (RF) protocol targeting simple
small RF networks (<100 nodes). The SimpliciTI network protocol was designed for easy implementation
with minimal microcontroller resource requirements. The protocol runs out of the box on TI's MSP430
ultra-low-power microcontrollers and multiple RF transceivers.

2 Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500 SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007
Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Wireless Sensor Monitor Network Overview

Small, low-power RF networks typically contain battery-operated devices, which require long battery life,
low data rate, and low duty cycle, and have a limited number of nodes talking directly to each other. With
the SimpliciTI network protocol, MCU resource requirements are minimal, resulting in lower system cost
for low-power RF networks. More complex mesh networks that need routing typically require 10× the
program memory and RAM to implement.
Despite the modest resources required, the SimpliciTI network protocol supports End Devices (EDs) in a
peer-to-peer network topology, the option to use an Access Point (AP) to store and forward messages,
and Range Extenders (REs) to extend the range of the network up to four hops. Future releases will add
more sophisticated features such as frequency agility, an ETSI-compliant listen-before-talk discipline, and
a software security routine for message encryption.
The SimpliciTI network protocol supports a wide range of low-power applications including alarm and
security (smoke detectors, glass breakage detectors, carbon monoxide sensors, and light sensors),
automated meter reading (gas meters and water meters), home automation (appliances, garage door
openers, and environmental devices), and active RFID.
The SimpliciTI network protocol is provided as source code under a free license without royalties.
Developers are encouraged to adapt the protocol to their own specific application needs. For information
on compatibility, updates, and the latest version of the SimpliciTI protocol, visit www.ti.com/simpliciti. [3]

1.2 Network Overview

Although identical, the two target boards that come with the eZ430-RF2500 kit come preprogrammed with
distinct firmware to exist as members of the Wireless Sensor Monitor network. A SimpliciTI protocol AP
manages the network and is always on, receiving sampled data from one or more SimpliciTI protocol EDs
once per second. The EDs of the Wireless Sensor Network contain the sensors that implement the
end-application for the network and spend most of their time in low-power mode 3 (LPM3), waking up
once a second to sample their ambient temperature and battery voltage and sending the results to the
network's AP. Upon receiving the data from any ED on the network, the AP sends it through its application
UART to a COM port on the PC for presentation by the Network Visualizer GUI. To learn more about
setting up the serial communications interface using the Network Visualizer GUI, see Appendix B.

1.2.1 Access Point (AP)

The first task an AP executes is the transmission of a start-up splash to the COM port.

Figure 2. Application Splash Screen

The network AP is then initialized as the network hub. Upon completion of the initialization procedure, the
AP transmits text notifying success:

Using the ADC10's internal temperature sensor, the AP then begins to measure the ambient temperature
once per second for transmission to the PC. In addition, the AP continuously listens for new EDs joining
the network and for packages from EDs that are already joined. Using two indicator LEDs, an AP notifies
the user of the two transactions in the network: a red LED indicates the transmission of the AP's
measurements to the PC, and a green LED indicates the receipt of a packet from one of the network's
EDs.

SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007 Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500 3
Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Wireless Sensor Monitor Network Overview

1.2.2 End Device (ED)
On startup, the ED immediately begins searching for an AP to which to connect. While searching, both the
green and red LEDs toggle ON/OFF. Upon discovery of an AP, the ED attempts a network link, flashing
the red LED to indicate the link attempt. If it cannot link to the AP, it continues to flash the red LED. Once
connected to the network's AP, all LEDs are turned off, and the ED defaults to LPM3, toggling the green
LED only when active.

1.3 Modes of Operation

There are two display options specified for the AP firmware's communication to the PC COM port, each of
which has two possible modes of operation. The user must select one of the two modes per display
option. Each mode can be entered by sending a character to the AP through the COM port connection.
Characters are not case sensitive. The four characters are:
Temperature Display Option 1
C - Output all temperatures in degrees Celsius
F - Output all temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit
Data Format Display Option 2
V - Output all data in extended Verbose mode
M - Output all data in shortened Minimal mode

1.3.1 Verbose Mode

The following is an example of the output from an AP in Verbose mode:

Node: This is the device identifier for the hub; it is an assigned integer based on the order in
which an ED has joined the network. The AP is given the identifier "HUB0".
Temp: This is the temperature measured by the node. This can be in either degrees Celsius or
Fahrenheit, as specified by the Temperature Display Option.
Battery: This is the voltage of the power supply as measured by the ADC10 on the MSP430.
Strength: This is the measured Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) given by the CC2500
radio. It is output as a percentage for readability.

Note: AP RSSI is always output as 000%.

RE: This indicates whether a received packet has gone through a Range Extender (RE).

Note: Version 1.02 of the AP firmware does not check for this, so its value is
always No.

1.3.2 Minimal Mode

The following is an example of the output from an AP in Minimal Mode:

This mode transmits the data with minimal formatting in order to reduce bandwidth usage. Its primary
purpose is for parsing by the included PC Network Visualizer Application. The output in Minimal mode
contains the same information as in Verbose mode, in the same order. Data is comma separated and has
a start character ($) and an end character (#).

4 Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500 SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007
Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Application Firmware

2 Application Firmware

2.1 Access Point (AP)

Initialize radio
MSP_Init()

Address already
Yes No
written into flash?

Create random address

Retreive device address from flash (TI_getRandomIntegerFromVLO)
and write address to flash

Overwrite device address

and
Initialize MSP430

Transmit splash
screen and
"Initializing Network"

Initialize network
SMPL_Init(sCB)

sJoinSem,
sSelfMeasureSem,
sJoinSem or sPeerFrameSem? sPeerFrameSem

sSelfMeasureSem

Listen for a link R ead temperature D efine input msg

SMPL_ LinkListen() (AD C10 ) buffer

R ead voltage
(AD C10 )
sN umC urrentPeers ++;

Format AD C 10
samples into a msg
D ecrement join for transmission Process all waiting
semaphore frames

Transmit msg to PC

Figure 3. Flowchart for demo_AP.c

SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007 Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500 5
Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Application Firmware
demo_AP.c contains the firmware built into the AP for the Wireless Sensor Monitor v1.02. The code
execution begins with a system initialization that is almost identical for APs and EDs in the network. The
following code shows the AP's system initialization procedure.
BSP_Init();

if( Flash_Addr[0] == 0xFF &&

Flash_Addr[1] == 0xFF &&
Flash_Addr[2] == 0xFF &&
Flash_Addr[3] == 0xFF )
{
createRandomAddress(); // set Random device address at initial startup
}
lAddr.addr[0]=Flash_Addr[0];
lAddr.addr[1]=Flash_Addr[1];
lAddr.addr[2]=Flash_Addr[2];
lAddr.addr[3]=Flash_Addr[3];

SMPL_Ioctl(IOCTL_OBJ_ADDR, IOCTL_ACT_SET, &lAddr);

MCU_Init();

//Transmit splash screen and network init notification

TXString( (char*)splash, sizeof splash);
TXString( "\r\nInitializing Network....", 26 );

SMPL_Init(sCB); // Access Point specific function parameter

// network initialized
TXString( "Done\r\n", 6);

Figure 4. System Initialization

The BSP_Init() SimpliciTI API call initializes both the communication between the MSP430 and the
CC2500 radio and the LEDs/switches on the board that are to be used in the application.
After hardware initialization, APs and EDs in the wireless sensor network create a random 4-byte address,
write that address into flash memory for reuse on system reset, and then write over their default build-time
device address. Since a SimpliciTI protocol AP identifies new devices on the network by their device
addresses, storing this randomly-generated address in flash and checking this predefined location at
device initialization ensures that an ED that has lost power or gets reset is always recognized as the same
device (is given the same link ID) by the AP and that if the AP goes down itself, any ED that used the AP
address to identify their respective SimpliciTI network sees the same AP on network reset. The random
address is created using the results from the TI_getRandomIntegerFromVLO function inside the
vlo_rand.s43 library file provided with the project. This library uses the rising edges of the very low
frequency oscillator clock found in MSP430x2xx devices to trigger samples of a system clock that are then
interpreted into a 4-byte device address. By changing the frequency of the system clock between triggers,
the randomization of resulting device addresses is increased, and the user can be confident that two
devices do not create the same network address. For more information on the random number generation
library, see the application report Random Number Generation Using the MSP430 (SLAA338). [6]
The MCU_Init() function performs further MSP430-specific initializations that are necessary for the
application. These include:
• The DCO and MCLK are set to run at 8 MHz.
• Timer_A is set to trigger interrupts at 1-second intervals.
• The universal serial communication interface (USCI) UART is initialized to communicate with the PC
COM port to 9600 Baud and RX/TX, and interrupts are enabled.

6 Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500 SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007
Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Application Firmware
Once the hardware initialization is complete, the TI splash screen is transmitted to the COM port on the
PC and the program calls the SMPL_Init(sCB) network initialization function. The sCB parameter is a
function pointer to a callback function that is executed within the interrupt service routine (ISR) upon
packet reception by the AP (see Figure 5).
/*------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Runs in ISR context. Reading the frame should be done in the
* application thread not in the ISR thread.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
static uint8_t sCB(linkID_t lid)
{
if (lid)
{
sPeerFrameSem++;
}
else
{
sJoinSem++;
}
// leave frame to be read by application.
return 0;
}

Figure 5. sCB Callback Function

The sCB callback function filters the received packet according to its link ID to identify the source of the
transmission and distinguish an ED join request from a data packet transmission from an ED that has
already established a connection to the network. A link ID of 0 identifies a join request. Upon acceptance
of an ED join request, the AP enumerates new members to the network and assigns incremental link IDs
from 0x01 to 0x1D. A link ID from 0x01 to 0x1D identifies the reception of a packet from one of the
network's EDs. The possible enumeration values from 0x01 to 0x1D are a designed network constraint for
the SimpliciTI protocol that allows up to 30 devices to be linked to the AP. Due to application
considerations, however, the Wireless Sensor Monitor v1.02 allows a maximum number of only eight
devices to be linked to the AP.
According to the link ID, the sCB callback function identifies and increments the respective
sPeerFrameSem[aphore] or sJoinSem[aphore] for handling in the program's main loop. The AP code also
defines a sSelfMeasureSem[aphore], set by the Timer A interrupt once a second, so that the AP knows to
sample its own temperature and battery voltages to be displayed. It is these three semaphores that control
the program flow after network initialization. Take particular note of the return value of the sCB function. A
return value greater than zero indicates to the SimpliciTI protocol that the callback function has handled
the received frame and releases the frame's memory for reuse. The sCB callback function in demo_AP.c
returns zero because the firmware leaves the received frame in the input buffer to be handled by the
application, as to reduce the amount of time spent in the ISR context of the SimpliciTI protocol. When a
device is expected to maintain a multitude of links to other applications/nodes in the network, it is
especially important to keep code in ISRs small to minimize the risk of losing packet reception and
notification.

2.1.1 sJoinSem Branch

The sJoinSem semaphore in demo_AP.c is set when an ED calls its SMPL_Init() function. A join to the
network is actually a side effect of initialization, as there is never an actual call made that requests a
network join. There are no SMPL_Join() or SMPL_JoinListen() API calls. When the sJoinSem[aphore] has
been set in the AP's callback function, and as long as the AP has made less than its maximum number of
links (as specified in smpl_config.dat), the AP will call its SMPL_LinkListen() function. As the function
parameter, the link listen function takes a pointer to the link ID that will be used to communicate with the
linked application. SMPL_LinkListen() is a blocking call, meaning it will not return until a successful link
has been created, so it is important that the SMPL_LinkListen() call be made only when the user knows
that another device has made the link request using SMPL_Link().

SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007 Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500 7
Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Application Firmware
On a successful link creation, the sJoinSem branch increases the number of devices that the AP
recognizes as part of the network and unlocks the sJoinSem[aphore] for another device to set.

2.1.2 sPeerFrameSem Branch

The sPeerFrameSem semaphore is incremented in the callback function every time that the AP receives a
frame from a peer application. In the case that the sPeerFrameSem[aphore] has been set or incremented,
the AP first defines a message buffer in which to store the current frame being analyzed and then loop
through its input queue searching for messages until it has processed all of the waiting frames. The
flowchart in Figure 6 shows how the application handles messages from its peers.

Create a message buffer

to strore incoming frame

i == sNumCurrentPeers

NO
for (i = 0; i < sNumCurrentPeers; ++i)

Received a message from

Main program loop activeLinkIDs[i]?

YES

Retrieve RSSI
information from sender

Transmist RSSI data and

message to the PC

Toggle LED to indicate message

receipt and decrement
sPeerFrameSem[aphore]

Figure 6. Flowchart for Peer Frame Handling

8 Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500 SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007
Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Application Firmware
2.1.3 sSelfMeasureSem Branch
The sSelfMeasureSem[aphore] is the semaphore specific to this demo application in that it is set at a
user-specified time interval to execute an application-layer routine. It is a prime example of how easy it is
to combine an eZ430-RF2500 user application like temperature and voltage sampling with the SimpliciTI
RF protocol by threading the requirements of both applications – ADC10 sampling at one-second intervals
(application) and network management/peer-frame handling (SimpliciTI protocol) – into a simple low-level
operating system.

2.2 End Device (ED)

EDs on a SimpliciTI network exist purely to instantiate the network's application or intended function. In
this instance, EDs initialize onto the network, then wake up once a second to sample and communicate
their ambient temperature/battery voltage. A notable difference exists, however, in their method of
initialization. The parameter an ED passes to its SMPL_Init() function is a void pointer to the nonexistent
callback function it would use to receive messages from peers.
Timer ISR wake-up
Initialize radio
BSP_Init()

Read temperature
(ADC10)

Address already
Yes written into flash? No Enter LPM3 until timer interrupt

Create random address

Read battery voltage
Retrieve device address from flash (TI_getRandomIntegerFromVLO)
(ADC10)
and write address to flash

Overwrite device address

Format ADC samples
and
for transmission
Initialize MSP430

Initialize/join network Send data to AP

SMPL_Init((uint8_t(*)(linkID_t))0) SMPL_Send()

Link to Access Point

SMPL_Link()

Figure 7. Flowchart for demo_ED.c

This application has no need for a callback function that indicates the receipt of messages from other
nodes on the network, because an ED's responsibilities are only to transmit its collected data. If an ED
were to be capable of receiving messages, it could do so in two ways:
1. In the case that an ED sleeps and wakes up to receive messages from the AP, it would call
SMPL_Receive() on wake-up to sample the AP output buffer for any stored messages.
2. In the case that an ED is always on and always listening for incoming messages, it would implement a
callback function similar to the sCB function in the demo_AP.c firmware.

SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007 Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500 9
Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Performance Overview

3 Performance Overview
The memory requirements of the built code are shown in Table 1. The build was executed using IAR
Embedded Workbench for MSP430 KickStart v5.10 with optimization settings set to Balanced → Low.
Changing the optimization settings for the project may result in unexpected behavior and is not
recommended.

Table 1. Memory Requirements for Wireless Sensor

Monitor v1.02
Memory Requirements ROM RAM
Access Point 9922 bytes 724 bytes
End Device 6616 bytes 395 bytes

To analyze the current profile of the application, the hardware setup in Figure 8 was used:

Tektroniz DPO4064
Oscilloscope

Access Point
demo_AP.c
(eZ430-RF2500)

Power supply
HP E3617A

Data
– 3V +

5-W Resistor End Device

demo_ED.c
(eZ430-RF2500)

Figure 8. End Device Test Platform

The oscilloscope shot in Figure 9 shows the current profile of an ED over 4 seconds. EDs send data to the
AP once per second. By decreasing the duty cycle for data transmission as much as possible, the radio
and MCU are active for minute amounts of time, allowing an ED to run for long periods of time on the
same batteries.

10 Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500 SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007
Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Performance Overview

Figure 9. End Device 4-Second Current Profile

Figure 10 shows one of the spikes after decreasing the time step and averaging over 64 samples.

Figure 10. End Device Transmission Current Profile

At this time scale, the waveform can be more closely analyzed for specific events in hardware or software
and their respective power contributions. An important consideration in this waveform is the presence of a
voltage offset due to measurement error of about 6.8 mV, or when divided by the 5-Ω resistor, a current
measurement error of about 1.36 mA. This is significant, as the expected sleeping current of the MSP430
plus the CC2500 radio amounts to only 1.3 µA (900 nA [MSP430] plus 400 nA [CC2500]) (1), a magnitude
of ×1000 less than the displayed sleep current.
(1)
Verified as within range using a multimeter in series with the positive lead of the power supply and the VCC line of the eZ430-RF2500
target board during operation [5]

SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007 Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500 11
Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Performance Overview
Table 2 and the following power consumption discussion describe the most significant contributors to
power and program flow in both hardware and software. Other sources of current consumption, such as
the USCI current consumption, do exist in the application but are not highlighted in its analysis due to their
relatively small significance.

Table 2. Significant Current and Timing Contributions

Time for
Current
Hardware (1) Software (2) Execution
Value Unit Value Unit
Sleep Modes Oscillator (A in Figure 11)
MSP430 low-power mode 0 (LPM0) 1.1 mA XOSC startup time 30 µs
MSP430 low-power mode 3 (LPM3) 900 nA Ripple Counter (B in Figure 11)
CC2500 sleep state 400 nA Timeout before CHP_RDY Hi→Lo 150 µs
MSP430 Active Mode PLL
8 MHz = DCO = SMCLK, 3 V 2.7 mA Calibrate frequency synthesizer 809 µs
MSP430 ADC10 Temperature Sample (1 and 2 in Figure 11)
fADC10CLK = 5.0 MHz, ADC10ON = 1, ADC10 REFON + delay for stabilization 130 µs
REFON = 1, REFOUT = 0, 850 µA LPM0 + sync + temp sample (30 µs) +
44 µs
ADC10DIV = 0x4 (ADC10CLK/5) conversion (13 × ADC10CLK cycles)
CC2500 Modes Voltage Sample (3 and 4 in Figure 11)
Idle 1.5 mA ADC10 2.5 V REFON + delay for stabilization 130 µs
Receive (RX) (weak input signal, LPM0 + sync + temp sample (8 × ADC10CLKs)
18.8 mA 22 µs
DEM_DCFILT_FILT_OFF = 0, 250 kbps) + conversion (13 × ADC10CLK cycles)
Transmit (TX) (250 kbps, 0-dB output power) 21.3 mA FIFO (5 and 6 in Figure 11)
Prepare message for transmission 140 µs
Write message to TX FIFO 110 µs
RX/TX Modes (D and beyond in Figure 11)
RX mode protocol overhead 2.56 ms
Transmit the message 800 µs

(1)
Numbers attained using data sheets from the MSP430F2274 and CC2500 radio [4] [5]
(2)
Numbers attained using data sheets from the MSP430F2274 and CC2500 radio and oscilloscope measurements [4][5]

The MSP430 contributions to program flow and power consumption are somewhat straightforward, as the
events can be traced through an analysis of the application firmware. The radio events, however, are
abstracted from the user by design and often occur by default, executed by hardware, and invisible to the
programmer. A brief introduction to the radio is necessary to fully understand why the MSP430 is able to
execute – better yet, should execute – its application in parallel to radio events, saving both time and
current consumption.

12 Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500 SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007
Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Performance Overview
Figure 11 shows all of the events from Table 2 partitioned in the waveform, excluding most of the RX and
none of the TX modes of operation shown in Figure 10.

Figure 11. End Device Transmission (Zoomed)

The radio events are denoted using the dotted lines in the chart, whereas MSP430 events use the solid
gray lines. The four radio events (A, B, C, and D) occur every time that the radio is woken from sleep by a
SMPL_Ioctl() call and are a requirement for a successful reception or transmission of information. They
are:
1. XOSC startup – 'A'
XOSC is the CC2500 oscillator used to source the chip's system clock.
2. Ripple timer timeout – 'B'
A setting inside the radio's configuration registers specifies how many times a ripple counter must
timeout after a successful XOSC startup routine before signaling the CC2500 chip ready symbol
(negative edge on CHP_RDY). In this case, the requirement is 64 timeouts, or 150 µs.
3. IDLE → RX mode + PLL calibration – 'C'
After XOSC startup, the radio defaults to its IDLE mode, where it awaits the ripple timer's timeout.
However, the SimpliciTI protocol wakeup function forces the radio directly into RX mode after
initialization to IDLE. Upon changing states from IDLE to either RX or TX modes, the PLL – the on-chip
frequency synthesizer used for RX and TX (de-)modulation – is automatically calibrated according to a
setting inside the radio's configuration registers. This frequency synthesizer must be calibrated
regularly, and takes 809 µs to enter RX or TX mode from the IDLE radio state.
4. RX mode – 'D'
Receive mode is necessary for a successful transmission so that a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA)
can be completed before transmission. A CCA check is done to verify that the radio is not currently
receiving a packet and that another signal on the channel is not registering an RSSI value over a
certain threshold (in effect, it checks whether another radio is already transmitting on the channel of
interest). When the CCA check is complete, the radio can then transmit its intended application
payload. (1)
(1)
For more information on CC2500 settings, see the CC2500 Single-Chip Low-Power RF Transceiver, Rev. A. [5]

SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007 Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500 13
Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Performance Overview
Due to these four radio requirements, it is important to understand that the largest contributor to current
consumption is not the transmission of the bytes itself (TX mode), but rather the CC radio and MSP430
initializing that transmission. To calculate the average current consumption for the application, this report
then uses two methods:
1. Calculation by hand
2. Use of the oscilloscope to take the integral of the voltage curve
Calculating the average by hand is done by first separating the radio and MSP430's current consumption
components.

Table 3. Expected Current Consumption

Radio Event Current Consumed Time Executed Amps * Seconds Consumed
XOSC startup 2.7 mA 300 µs 810 nA*s
Ripple counter timeout 1.75 mA 150 µs 262 nA*s
PLL calibration 7.5 mA 809 µs 6068 nA*s
RX mode 18.8 mA 2.56 ms 48 128 nA*s
TX mode 12.3 mA 800 µs 17 040 nA*s
Total 72 308 nA*s
MSP430 Event Current Consumed Time Executed Amps * Seconds Consumed
MSP430 active current 2.7 mA 4.634 ms 12 512 nA*s
MSP430 LPM0 current 1.1 mA 66 µs 73 nA*s
ADC10 850 µA 326 µs 277 nA*s
Total 12 862 nA*s
Transmission Total 85 170 nA*s

The average current calculation must also take into account the sleep current of an ED. The less
frequently that an ED transmits, the more significant that the sleep current's contribution to the overall
average becomes.
sleep_current_contrib = 1.3 µA * (period_of_transmission – application_execution_time) (1)
= 1.3 [µA] * (1 [s] – 4.7 [ms])
= 1.29 µA*s
The average current consumption for the application can then be derived using the following equation:
average_current_consumption = (sleep_current_contrib + transmission_total) / period_of_transmission (2)
average_current_consumptionEXPECTED = (1294 [nA*s] + 85 170 [nA*s] ) / 1 [s]
= 86.46 µA
For comparison, the second method used to calculate the average current consumption – integrating the
curve using an oscilloscope – resulted in an area under the transmission waveform of 465 µV*s. Since this
includes the offset current in its calculation and does not take the entire period of a transmission into
consideration, the following equation is used to derive the average current consumption:
average_current_consumptionMEASURED = ((measured_voltage – (measurement_error ×
application_execution_time)) / 5 Ω + sleep_current_contrib) / period_of_transmission (3)
= ((465 [µV*s] – (6.8 [mV] × 4.7 [ms])) / 5 + 1.29 [µA*s]) / 1 [s]
= 87.9 µA

14 Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500 SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007
Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

References
Given the slight simplification of the current analysis and general measurement error, a 1.6% difference
between the two numbers is acceptable. To calculate the life expectancy of an ED on the network, and
assuming that two AAA batteries maintain a 1000-mA*hr rating under the hypothetical condition in which
the batteries hold their voltage ideally and until their capacity is exhausted:
hours_of_operation = current_rating / average_current (4)
Calculated life expectancy:
= 1000 [mA*hrs] / 0.08646 [mA] = 11566 [hrs] / 24 [hrs/day] = 481.9 [days] / 365 [days/yr] = 1.32 yr
= 1 year, 3 months, and 25 days
Measured life expectancy:
= 1000 [mA*hrs] / 0.0879 [mA] = 11376 [hrs] / 24 [hrs/day] = 474 [days] / 365 [days/yr] = 1.29 yr
= 1 year, 3 months, and 18 days
Figure 12 charts the expected years of operation due to power consumption of an ED node transmitting
the current application payload at different time intervals, verifying that to minimize the power consumption
of an application, a programmer should always:
1. Minimize the number of transmissions and, in turn,
2. Fit as many bytes into the transmission packet as is feasible for the application.

18
16
14
Life expectancy (yrs)

12
10
8
6

4
2

0
16 8 4 2 1 0.5 0.25 0.125
Transmission Period (s)

Figure 12. Years of Operation vs Transmission Interval

Using this document, the supporting documentation, and the Wireless Sensor Monitor v1.02 firmware the
reader now has all the tools he needs to integrate a low-cost, easy-to-use wireless solution into existing or
developing applications. For more information and ideas on how to use the eZ430-RF2500 to evaluate or
implement a specific wireless solution, see http://www.ti.com/ez430-rf.

4 References
1. eZ430-RF2500 User's Guide (SLAU227)
2. SimpliciTI Developer's Notes Measuring Power Consumption With CC2430 and Z-Stack (SWRA144)
3. TI Delivers SimpliciTI™ Network Protocol for Simple Low-Power RF Networks (SC-07149)
4. MSP430F22x2, MSP430F22x4 Mixed Signal Microcontroller, Rev. B (SLAS504)
5. CC2500 Single-Chip Low-Cost Low-Power RF Transceiver, Rev. A (SWRS040)
6. Random Number Generation Using the MSP430 (SLAA338)

SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007 Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500 15
Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Appendix A

Appendix A Wireless Sensor Monitor v1.02 FAQs

A.1 Which version of IAR is required to launch the eZ430-RF2500 Wireless Sensor Monitor v1.02
project?
IAR KickStart R5.10 is required. It includes support for the eZ430-RF2500 emulator and allows the
inclusion of library files that exceed the KickStart 4-KB C-code limitation.
A.2 The project does not debug/run properly.
Before debugging and when switching between End Device and Access Point projects (or vice versa),
clean the project by clicking Project → Clean.
A.3 Why does temperature vary among End Devices?
Calibration of the MSP430 ADC10 for temperature is application specific and beyond the scope of this
document. A 1-point ambient temperature calibration was deemed acceptable in this application; greater
accuracy of measurement could be achieved within a temperature controlled environment. For best
accuracy, one would implement a 2-point calibration instead.
A.4 Why does my battery measure 3.5 V?
The battery measurement for this application is limited to 1 decimal point and rounds down. Therefore, if a
3.6-V battery is measured as 3.59 V, the End Device shows it as 3.5 V.
A.5 What is the maximum number of supported End Devices?
Each Access Point can link to a maximum of eight End Devices using the current project.
A.6 Can the network be extended beyond 30 End Devices?
Yes, the device address for a device is 4 bytes long, so the hard-stop for possible devices on a SimpliciTI
network is 232 nodes. However, each node on the network can link to only 30 nodes. The network
limitations are also very much dependent on the amount of RAM that a device contains. Each additional
node on the network will require additional RAM for the input/output buffers and network management
data structures. To allow plenty of room for further application development, this demonstration application
was limited to eight nodes.

16 SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007

Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Appendix B

Appendix B Network Visualizer GUI

The user has the option of running the project from the CD that comes with the eZ430-RF2500 kit or
downloading the project from the web at http://www.ti.com/lit/zip/slac139. The devices in an
eZ430-RF2500 kit come preprogrammed with the Wireless Sensor Monitor v1.02 firmware and may be
reprogrammed at any time. If the user experiences any issues on hardware or software installation, see
the eZ430-RF2500 User's Guide for detailed explanations of project installs and instructions on how to
update the application firmware.
An Access Point running the Wireless Sensor Monitor v1.02 firmware transfers its data to a terminal
window through its backchannel UART at a fixed rate of 9600 bps. The user can open a terminal window
to see the streaming data or can view a graphical representation of the network using the Network
Visualizer GUI.
The Network Visualizer GUI reads the data coming in through the COM port and depicts the network in an
easy-to-understand graphical format according to user settings. Figure B-1 is a screenshot of the GUI
using the two devices that come with the eZ430-RF2500 kit.

Figure B-1. Network Visualizer Screen

The GUI displays the temperature and voltage readings that are transmit per device and can be run as-is
by opening its executable file. It is possible to configure the GUI display by navigating to the Menu →
Settings window, shown in Figure B-2. In the Settings window, the user sets the port over which the AP is
communicating, values for the color gradient of the EDs, temperature display units, and the resulting
distance from the center node for the interpreted RSSI values.

SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007 17

Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Appendix B

Figure B-2. Network Visualizer Display Settings

It is also possible to see the data streaming through the selected COM port terminal by navigating to the
Menu → Console window. An example console window is displayed in Figure B-3. For further questions
on the Network Visualizer GUI, please reference the Help menu.

Figure B-3. Network Visualizer Console Window

Note: Texas Instruments does not provide the source code for the Network Visualizer GUI.

18 Wireless Sensor Monitor Using the eZ430-RF2500 SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007
Submit Documentation Feedback
 www.ti.com

Revision History

Revision History
Version Description Date
Prerelease Initial release on eZ430-RF2500 CD 27-Nov-07
Initial release on www.ti.com
Clarified measured current consumption
SLAA378 30-Nov-07
Removed FAQ A.3
Clarified FAQ A.4 (A.3 in current version)
SLAA378A Removed note concerning SMPL_Transmit() and SMPL_Receive() API calls (page 13) 07-Dec-07

NOTE: Page numbers for previous revisions may differ from page numbers in the current version.

SLAA378A – December 2007 – Revised December 2007 Revision History 19

Submit Documentation Feedback
 IMPORTANT NOTICE
Texas Instruments Incorporated and its subsidiaries (TI) reserve the right to make corrections, modifications, enhancements,
improvements, and other changes to its products and services at any time and to discontinue any product or service without notice.
Customers should obtain the latest relevant information before placing orders and should verify that such information is current and
complete. All products are sold subject to TI’s terms and conditions of sale supplied at the time of order acknowledgment.
TI warrants performance of its hardware products to the specifications applicable at the time of sale in accordance with TI’s
standard warranty. Testing and other quality control techniques are used to the extent TI deems necessary to support this
warranty. Except where mandated by government requirements, testing of all parameters of each product is not necessarily
performed.
TI assumes no liability for applications assistance or customer product design. Customers are responsible for their products and
applications using TI components. To minimize the risks associated with customer products and applications, customers should
provide adequate design and operating safeguards.
TI does not warrant or represent that any license, either express or implied, is granted under any TI patent right, copyright, mask
work right, or other TI intellectual property right relating to any combination, machine, or process in which TI products or services
are used. Information published by TI regarding third-party products or services does not constitute a license from TI to use such
products or services or a warranty or endorsement thereof. Use of such information may require a license from a third party under
the patents or other intellectual property of the third party, or a license from TI under the patents or other intellectual property of TI.
Reproduction of TI information in TI data books or data sheets is permissible only if reproduction is without alteration and is
accompanied by all associated warranties, conditions, limitations, and notices. Reproduction of this information with alteration is an
unfair and deceptive business practice. TI is not responsible or liable for such altered documentation. Information of third parties
may be subject to additional restrictions.
Resale of TI products or services with statements different from or beyond the parameters stated by TI for that product or service
voids all express and any implied warranties for the associated TI product or service and is an unfair and deceptive business
practice. TI is not responsible or liable for any such statements.
TI products are not authorized for use in safety-critical applications (such as life support) where a failure of the TI product would
reasonably be expected to cause severe personal injury or death, unless officers of the parties have executed an agreement
specifically governing such use. Buyers represent that they have all necessary expertise in the safety and regulatory ramifications
of their applications, and acknowledge and agree that they are solely responsible for all legal, regulatory and safety-related
requirements concerning their products and any use of TI products in such safety-critical applications, notwithstanding any
applications-related information or support that may be provided by TI. Further, Buyers must fully indemnify TI and its
representatives against any damages arising out of the use of TI products in such safety-critical applications.
TI products are neither designed nor intended for use in military/aerospace applications or environments unless the TI products are
specifically designated by TI as military-grade or "enhanced plastic." Only products designated by TI as military-grade meet military
specifications. Buyers acknowledge and agree that any such use of TI products which TI has not designated as military-grade is
solely at the Buyer's risk, and that they are solely responsible for compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements in
connection with such use.
TI products are neither designed nor intended for use in automotive applications or environments unless the specific TI products
are designated by TI as compliant with ISO/TS 16949 requirements. Buyers acknowledge and agree that, if they use any
non-designated products in automotive applications, TI will not be responsible for any failure to meet such requirements.
Following are URLs where you can obtain information on other Texas Instruments products and application solutions:

Products Applications
Amplifiers amplifier.ti.com Audio www.ti.com/audio
Data Converters dataconverter.ti.com Automotive www.ti.com/automotive
DSP dsp.ti.com Broadband www.ti.com/broadband
Interface interface.ti.com Digital Control www.ti.com/digitalcontrol
Logic logic.ti.com Military www.ti.com/military
Power Mgmt power.ti.com Optical Networking www.ti.com/opticalnetwork
Microcontrollers microcontroller.ti.com Security www.ti.com/security
RFID www.ti-rfid.com Telephony www.ti.com/telephony
Low Power www.ti.com/lpw Video & Imaging www.ti.com/video
Wireless
Wireless www.ti.com/wireless

Mailing Address: Texas Instruments, Post Office Box 655303, Dallas, Texas 75265
Copyright © 2007, Texas Instruments Incorporated