Where do I start?

Hi Adam,

The CC2540DK-MINI comes unprogrammed, so the first step is to load the demo software into the kit using the debugger, as explained in the kit user guide (found here: http://focus.ti.com/general/docs/lit/getliterature.tsp?literatureNumber=swru270b&fileType=pdf). Once you have done this, you can do some simple things, like connect and read and write attributes, which are the buidling blocks of the BLE protocol. Using the example software, you can read the state of the buttons on the keyfob and some other simple things.

If you want to go beyond this, then you need to write your own embedded software. At this time, this can only be done in C using the IAR 8051 toolset. When you have installed the BLE stack, documentation on how to use the BLE stack is installed into the C:\Texas Instruments\BLE-CC2540-1.1\Documentation directory (assuming you used the standard installation path). The Software Developer's Guide is the primary document when writing your own software. There is also a BLE Sample Applications Guide, which goes into more detail on the supplied sample applications, which should be useful to get you started.

Hope this helps!

Karl

I'm using Windows 7, and when I try to setup the USB dongle it gives the following error:

The folder you specified  doesn't contain a compatible software driver for your device. If the folder contains a driver make sure it is designed to work with windows for x64-based system.

Does this means I have to work with 86x system, or is there a 64x driver?

Thanks,

Adam.

Finally, some sense, thanks, yes, the led is red now, and I could install the driver. I've been installing wrong hex files to it, I found a couple of instruction site which probably didn't fit with my computer, I didn't find any document indicating the cc2540_ble1.1_USBdongle_HostTestRelease_Master.hex file installation, could you refer to such document?

Update, just now when I searched for "HostTestRelease" in the document you specified earlier, I found it... showing only once not even in Bold

Adam.

Hi Karl.

I was looking to develop a BLE application for the Arduino community (I'm ready for the barrage of comments re Arduino!, anyway...) but the fact that we have to invest in the IAR workbench to use the TI silicon is a bit off putting. Don;t get me wrong, I am happy to pay reasonable amounts for this...up to say $1k but from prior inquiries with IAR they are in a much higher ball park figure area.

I am guessing that there is no alternative to this dev suite at this point in time?

Oh, the application? low power temperature measurement.

Regards,

Dale

Well, I've managed to follow up on some of the tutorial, until I got to: "4.4 Using the Simple Keys GATT Profile", at this point the behavior described in the pdf does not match the actual results, the 0xFFE1 is invalid, and the "Discover Characteristic by UUID" does not return anything, unlike in the pdf. Did I install the wrong hax file?

The files I've installed:

USB Dongle: cc2540_ble1.1_USBdongle_HostTestRelease_Master.hex - The red led is on after programming.

KeyFob: cc2540_ble1.1_SmartRF_SimpleBLEPeripheral.hex - The led light is orange after programming.

Is this the right setup for the tutorial?

Thanks in advance,

Adam Zehavi.

Hi Dale,

We understand that the entry fee for doing development is on the high side for some people, and we are looking into ways to reduce this.

Best regards,

Karl

Hi Dale,

Since IAR has a some cost, there are a few other options.

1) Use a MSP430 or other processor to drive it with serial commands from the HCI-Vender-Specific guide. You lose the advantage of SOC, but the application dev can be done with Code Composer for free.  We don't have examples for this though. - See option2

2) Use two usbDongles plugged into PC. Here you can drive the usbDongles serially just like option #1.  You can also uses BTool to drive, although btool is more targeted at being the master device.

Students also get a big discount on IAR.

-Greg

hi Adam,

   where is the tutorial PDF you mentioned?

thanks,

tony