These guidelines are intended to provide a reference for all stages of development using TI Sub-1 GHz Wireless MCUs. This guide doesn't cover the development using TI's range of transceivers. 

Introduction
Step 0: Learn the technology
Step 1: Pick your device
Step 2: Download necessary software
Step 3: Begin software development
Step 4: Deep-dive into documentation
Step 5: Design your hardware
Step 6: Certification and production
Help

Introduction

We are your partner in Sub-1 GHz RF design. With a portfolio of flexible low-power RF transceivers and wireless microcontrollers, we help remove the barriers for global deployment with our high-quality radios and ultra-low power performance. The Sub-1 GHz ISM bands provide a lot of freedom to choose protocol and frequency band according to application needs and regulatory compliance requirements.

This guide is focusing on TI Wireless MCUs, and a specific device can be chosen according to application and software stack needs. If the design criteria change over time, it is often possible to migrate to a different memory configuration to support the new requirements. The required memory (FLASH and RAM) is dependent on the type of protocol/ stack used and if more than one stack will be used at the same time. A typical example for the latter is BLE + a sub 1-GHz stack configuration where BLE is used for local setup and sub 1-GHz is used to collect data from multiple sensors. 

Our recommendation is to use one of the stacks TI provide if possible to shorten develop time. Software development can begin on a Launchpad evaluation kit and the chosen wireless MCU can be evaluated on this hardware platform.  A Launchpad will in some cases use a super set device, which means that the device used for development may have more memory and provide more features than the device intended to be used in the final product. Ensure that only the resources available on the intended device is used for development.

For sub 1-GHz the selection of RF PHY (data rate, deviation, modulation format, frequency) is important and should be considered early in the process. Some factors that impact the selection of RF PHY is range requirements and regulatory demands. 

The next section contains links to more information about sub 1-GHz in general, some application areas and the stacks provided by TI. 

Step 0: Learn the technology

• This selection guide cover a top level view of the stacks TI provide: Wireless Connectivity Technology Selection Guide
• Below is a selection of videos that give a short introduction to selected topics:
  • General:
    
    • Videos: 
      • Why Sub-1 GHz?
      • 3.27 Connect: Smart home automation demo
      • 4.3 Connect: RF basics for low power wide area networks (LPWAN) webinar
    • White papers: 
      • Understanding Security Features for SimpleLink Sub-1 GHz CC13x2 MCUs
      • Dynamic Multi-protocol Manager (DMM)
    • Applications:
      • Door and Window Sensors
      • Motion Detector
      • Smoke Alarms
  • Proprietary Sub-1 GHz:
  • TI-15.4 Stack:
    • Videos:
      • 2.5 Connect: Why Sub-1 GHz?
      • 2.18 Connect: 15.4 stack
      • 3.2 Connect: Industrial Gateway to Cloud Demo
      • 3.25 Connect: Long-range, multi-band sensor networks with LPSTK-CC1352R
      • 3.30 Connect: Turbo OAD with Sub-1 GHz
      • Out-of-box star-network solution: TI 15.4-Stack
    • White papers: 
      • Using the SimpleLink Sub-1 GHz 15.4-Stack: Choosing Between Synchronous/Asynchronous Mode
  • TI Wi-SUN FAN: 
    • Video: 
      • 2.32 Connect: Landis + Gyr – the future of smart grid is Wi-SUN
      • 3.33 Connect: Getting Started with Wi-SUN FAN
      • Wi-SUN® connected lights demo for smart cities
      • Using Wi-SUN Fan 1.0 for EV charging communications

Step 1: Pick your device

• Sub-1 GHz – products gives the full overview of the devices available that covers the sub 1-GHz range. Here it's possible to get an overview of the devices that fits a set of criteria.

The development board platform is based on Launchpad. The launchpad typically consist of two parts: The wireless MCU with all IOs available on pin rows and a XDS110 which can be used to download and debug code to the wireless MCU. The XDS110 can also be used to debug the wireless MCU on a custom board. 

The "Reference design" chapter in CC13xx/CC26xx Hardware Configuration and PCB Design Considerations contain a full list of the different Launchpads available and which frequency band(s) they cover. 

Step 2: Download necessary software

• SDK
  • If using CC1310 or CC1350, download the SDK from: SIMPLELINK-CC13X0-SDK
  • If using any other CC13xx devices, download the SDK from: SIMPLELINK-CC13XX-CC26XX-SDK 
• IDE
  • Code Composer Studio or
  • IAR Embedded Workbench
• Programmer (optional if you are using an IDE)
  • UNIFLASH
  • FLASH-PROGRAMMER
• SmartRF Studio
  • For initial evaluation and testing without having to write code. Also required for settings when syscfg is not used: SmartRF Studio
• Sensor Controller Studio
  • Develop code for the Sensor Controller: Sensor Controller Studio
• Other tools for evaluation (optional)
  
  • Sniff over-the-air packets: SmartRF Protocol Packet Sniffer
  • Estimate RF range: RF Range Estimator
  • Calculate 15.4-Stack power: 15.4 Stack Power Calculator
  • 15.4-Stack gateway solution: 15.4-Stack Gateway Linux SDK

Step 3: Begin software development

• "Out of the box experience": The Quick Start Guide that is included in the Launchpad box include a link to the page covering the "Out of the box" experience for this Launchpad. The same information can also be found if selecting the Launchpad from here.
• Quick Start Guide (CC13x0)/Quick Start Guide (CC13x1/ CC13x2): Getting started guide to the SimpleLink development environment. Get started using TI Resource Explorer, learn how to import a project into CCS or IAR, or develop a new application.
• Examples (For CC13x0/ For CC13x1/ CC13x2) on how to use all drivers (all peripherals).
  • Proprietary RF examples: 
    • CC13x0: Select the Launchpad used. Go to "TI Drivers". The examples are named rf*. It is recommended to start with rfPacketTx and rfPacketRx.
    • CC13x1/ CC13x2: Select the Launchpad used. Go to "prop_rf". It is recommended to start with rfPacketTx and rfPacketRx.
  • TI-15.4 Stack examples 
    • CC13x0: Select the Launchpad used. Go to "TI 15.4-Stack". Start with one device running the collector example and one device running the sensor example.
    • CC13x1/ CC13x2: Select the Launchpad used. Go to "TI 15.4-Stack". Start with one device running the collector example and one device running the sensor example.
  • TI Wi-SUN FAN
    • CC13x1/ CC13x2: Select the Launchpad used. Go to "ti_wisunfan". The examples available are dependent on the amount of memory available. 

• SimpleLink Academy (CC13x0)/ SimpleLink Academy (CC13x1/ CC13x2): Check out the SimpleLink Academy training platform for step-by-step instructions to learn about Sub-1 GHz features and how to customize your application. Some selected basic SimpleLink Academy modules are listed below:
  • General
    • RTOS Concepts: Start here to learn about TI-RTOS and POSIX.
    • Sensor Controller Fundamentals: How to use the Sensor Controller Studio and GUI tool
    • SysConfig Tool Basics: SysConfig is tool to help you configure your SimpleLink applications, generating source files for TI Drivers and software libraries
    • DMM Fundamentals: Dynamic Multi-protocol Manager (DMM) allows multiple wireless stacks to coexist and operate concurrently on a single radio
  • Proprietary RF
    • Basic Rx and Tx
  • TI-15.4 Stack
    • 15.4-Stack Project Zero: Set up your first network with a collector and a sensor.
    • TI 15.4-Stack - Linux Gateway Project Zero: Learn how to use the coprocessor example along with a Linux GW. 
  • TI Wi-SUN FAN
    • TI Wi-SUN FAN Fundamentals: Set up your first Wi-SUN network

Step 4: Deep-dive into documentation

The main documentation resources are listed below:

• Datasheet. The datasheet is available on the product page for each device (www.ti.com/.../<device name>)
• Technical Reference Manual (CC13x1x3/26x1x3 | CC13x2x7/26x2x7 | CC13X2/26X2 | CC13X0)
• Application Notes: Relevant application notes are available on the product page for each device (www.ti.com/.../<device name>#tech-docs) 
• SDK Documents (CC13xx | CC13x0: You can find all stack user’s guides and API guides here, plus kernel, TI Drivers, and configuration tools
  • Proprietary RF User’s Guide (CC13xx/CC26xx | CC13X0)
  • TI 15.4-Stack User’s Guide (CC13xx/CC26xx | CC13X0)
  • TI Wi-SUN FAN User’s Guide (CC13xx/CC26xx )

• CC2538/CC26x0/CC2x2 Serial Bootloader Interface

• 15.4-Stack Linux Gateway – User’s Guide
• Gateway example for TI Wi-SUN FAN 

Step 5: Design your hardware

• TI provides a number of reference designs found under your device's product page. The schematic and layout should follow the reference as close as possible with most focus on the RF network, DCDC network and placement of decoupling capacitors. 
• This application contains the most important considerations for hardware design: CC13xx/CC26xx Hardware Configuration and PCB Design Considerations
• Ask a TI expert to review your schematics and layout: SIMPLELINK-SUB1GHZ-DESIGN-REVIEWS
• If the performance is not as expected: Debugging Communication Range

Step 6: Certification and production

Regulations:

All products have to be compliant with the radio regulations in the country they are deployed. 

FCC: Used in US and counties that have selected to base their regulation on this. The most relevant paragraphs are § 15.247 and § 15.249 (FCC part 15)

ETSI: Used in EU and counties that have selected to base their regulation on this. The most relevant is ETSI EN300 220 (ETSI)

SRRC: Used in China. (State Radio Regulation of China. It is also required to have CCC marking)

For questions about certification the recommendation is to contact a certified certification lab. 

Production test:

This application note outline some of the considerations for production testing: Final Test Considerations for Wireless Technology Products. The "Radio Test Library" is available through SmartRF Studio which provide an API with easy to use functions to control the target board.   

Production programming:

The serial bootloader interface is described in CC2538/CC26x0/CC2x2 Serial Bootloader Interface

For low volumes the CLI for either FLASH-PROGRAMMER or UNIFLASH can be used. These tools are primary for development. For mass production, programmers specially made for this purpose should be considered. A list of some of the available programmers are listed in Production Programmers and FAQ: TI Hardware and Software Programming Tools 

Help

For more information about the above, feedback or if something is not working as intended, use E2E Wireless Connectivity forum. E2E is a public forum with questions and answers posted by TI engineers and knowledgeable community members to help users quickly solve their design issues. Search a few keywords to see resolved questions, or you can ask a new question!

To be able to give efficient help, please include as minimum in the question:

• Device used
• SDK and SDK version
• SDK project the code is based on
• Proprietary RF or type of stack.
• Launchpad or custom board
• Detailed problem description. What is the problem and a step by step description enabling others to replicate the problem.