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CC3220MODA: CC3220MODA SPI SLAVE Host interface to MCU

Chandrashekhar Venkatesh
Prodigy 60 points
Part Number: CC3220MODA
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: CC3100MOD, CC3220MOD, CC3120MOD, CC3135, CC3120, CC3220S, UNIFLASH

Hi ,

We using an CC3220MODA in our project, we are planning to interface through SPI bus to micro controller.

I have few questions

Does CC3220MODA comes with default firmware?

Does this default firmware communicates with SPI interface like CC3100MOD?

Which are those SPI default configuration pins?

In case default firmware does not support SPI HOST interface then, which other interface work by default AT command with Host?

In swru455j, it explain only for CC31xx, 

Rgds

Chandra

  • 0
    Guru 39650 points

    Hi Chandra,

    At first you should to recognize difference between CC32xx and CC31xx devices:

    • CC31xx is a device which enables to WiFi communication for your additional processor. At your processor you need to use SimpleLink (host) driver and it allows to use sl_ API calls inside your processor / microcontroller. This API calls allow to control CC31xx device (setup of WLAN, socket calls, etc).
    • CC32xx device contains WiFi coprocessor together with application processor. Application processor is a Cortex-M4 and it allows to run your own code. CC32xx device is a "self containing" solution and it does not need to have external processor / microcontroller.

    And now answers to your questions:

    > Does CC3220MODA comes with default firmware?

    • No. CC3220MOD devices does not contains any default firmware. You need to upload your firmware into device.

    > Does this default firmware communicates with SPI interface like CC3100MOD?

    • No. If you want to device which works with host driver running at your processor, you can select CC3120MOD or C3135MOD.

    > Which are those SPI default configuration pins?

    • Pins which can be used as SPI are described at datasheet. But control is dove via your own firmware running inside application processor (Cortex-M4) inside CC32xx.

    > In case default firmware does not support SPI HOST interface then, which other interface work by default AT command with Host?

    • Host driver for external MCU is not supported by CC32xx devices. There is no default interface for CC32xx devices. But for CC3220/CC3235 devices does exist example of firmware which translates sl_ API calls into AT commands via UART. This AT commands you can use with your own processor / microcontroller. This firmware/code you need to upload into CC3220 device by yourself.

    Generally you can select one of this way:

    1. Select CC3120 or CC3135 - you will need to port host driver to your processor / microcontroller. Inside your code you will use sl_ API calls. Porting of host driver will take some effort, but you will have better performance and easier usage inside your code.

    2. Select CC3220 and use example at_commands inside application processor - this example code running at Cortex-M4 core inside CC32xx will translate AT commands from UART to sl_ API calls. This AT commands you will be able use inside your processor / microcontroller. This way will have worse performance and it may to be complicated in case you need to use complex network features. But for a simple network features this can be a easier way.

    3. Select CC3220 and create own code for it

    Jan

  • 0 in reply to Hnz
    Prodigy 60 points

    Hi Jan,

    Thanks for reply, I think my problem Solved. But not able to understand why CC3120MOD is high price compared to CC3220MOD modules?

    Rgds

    Chandra

  • 0 in reply to Chandrashekhar Venkatesh
    Guru 39650 points

    Hi Chandra,

    I am not able to comment price of modules.

    Jan

  • 0 in reply to Hnz
    Prodigy 60 points

    Hi Jan,

    Thanks, I have one more question. 

    CC3220MODAS - is comes with sFLASH 32-Mbit and no application flash memory.

    1. Does stack comes with pre-programmed in sFLASH?
    2. If no application memory, how to configure the application? does each power cycle we need to load from UART to RAM? can this be done over any MCU/Processes connected?
    3. Module seems having only FCC, IC, CE, MIC, SRRC, we may need certification for KN and few other nations like Russia, Australia etc.. where some of additional RF testing needs to be done.
    4. Does recommend to use the module with Antenna or without antenna is good(Because some of the RF tests need to have ULF RF connector for antenna access )?
    5. Where I can find the certification application documents for configuring the continuous tx mode, RX mode, channel settings, Power db settings etc. 

    Rgds

    Chandra

  • 0 in reply to Chandrashekhar Venkatesh
    Guru 39650 points

    Hi Chandra,

    There are two types of CC3220 MOD device.

    • SF devices with 256kB RAM and 1MB XIP execution flash (code is executed from XIP flash and RAM is available for your buffers, variables, etc.)
    • S device with 256kB RAM only (code is executed from RAM, you need to fit your code into RAM together with your buffers, variables. etc.)
    • both MOD devices have integrated internal 4MB sFlash

    Answers to your questions:

    1. Does stack comes with pre-programmed in sFLASH?

    No.

    2. If no application memory, how to configure the application? does each power cycle we need to load from UART to RAM? can this be done over any MCU/Processes connected?

    From this reason is here ROM bootloader. It loads your MCU image from sFlash into RAM (or into XIP flash in case of SF devices). Advantage of SF devices is that code is executed from 1MB XIP flash and your code can be bigger.

    3. Module seems having only FCC, IC, CE, MIC, SRRC, we may need certification for KN and few other nations like Russia, Australia etc.. where some of additional RF testing needs to be done.

    This you need to discuss with your certification laboratory. Even you have available certificates for modules, you will need to certificate your final product. Certification for many countries may to be pretty pricey. It may to cost even more that are your expenses for development product itself.

    4. Does recommend to use the module with Antenna or without antenna is good(Because some of the RF tests need to have ULF RF connector for antenna access )?

    This depends on your final product. But using external (inside or outside product) antenna allows you better tuning of your antenna. Proper antenna design is key factor for each RF device.

    5. Where I can find the certification application documents for configuring the continuous tx mode, RX mode, channel settings, Power db settings etc.

    For certification purposes is generally used radio tools (CC3XXXRADIOTEST). Certificates for modules you find here (SIMPLELINK-CC3XXX-CERTIFICATION). Some additional resources you find at wiki page as well.

    Jan

  • 0 in reply to Hnz
    Prodigy 60 points

    Hi Jan,

    1. Does stack comes with pre-programmed in sFLASH?

    You said no, but RET_FACTORY_IMAGE --> RetFactDef, When module reset is toggled, the MCU bootloader kickstarts the procedure to restore factory default images.

    What does factory default images?

    Few more clarification, if my understanding is correct from you answers,

    1. Still we can use sFlash for small application development that is correct?
    2. sFlash can be programmed by SOP boot configurations? UART/JTAG/SWD?

    Please share resource utilization of your WiFi stack as below, also need to know without using an application processor how much sFlash and RAM been consumed by stack.

    Software Module Flash Size Static RAM
    DHCP Module 1474 Bytes 132 Bytes
    Networking 3918 Bytes 13952 Bytes
    Packet Buffers 0 bytes 22470 Bytes

    etc..

    Rgds

    Chandra

  • 0 in reply to Chandrashekhar Venkatesh
    Guru 39650 points

    Hi Chandra,

    CC3220MOD device comes from factory blank. During your manufacturing process you need upload your image. This image contains your application code, ServicePack (fixes for NWP firmware which is inside ROM memory), webpages, your user data, etc.

    > 1. Still we can use sFlash for small application development that is correct?

    All CC3220MOD device have same sFlash size. In case of CC3220S device, code is executed from RAM. Size of this RAM is 256kB as it allows to create relatively big applications.

    > 2. sFlash can be programmed by SOP boot configurations? UART/JTAG/SWD?

    sFlash can be programmed via UART (Uniflash software, Embedded programming) or via 3rd party SPI flash programmer (Gang programming). It is not possible to program sFlash by JTAG/SWD. JTAG/SWD is for a  development purpose only (debug from IDE).

    Please share resource utilization of your WiFi stack as below, also need to know without using an application processor how much sFlash and RAM been consumed by stack.

    Network services (WLAN layer, TCP/IP stack) is provided as service of NWP (network processor). From this reason you don't need to run TCP/IP stack or DHCP server inside application processor. This allow to save you many resources (Cortex-M4 MCU inside CC3220). CC3220 supports up to 16 sockets. 6 of them can be SSL/TLS. NWP also provides additional services like webserver, DNS, mDNS.

    Jan

  • 0 in reply to Hnz
    Prodigy 60 points

    Hi Jan,

    I think got a clarity on my queries!! Thanks you so much!!

    Rgds

    Chandra

  • 0 in reply to Hnz
    Prodigy 60 points

    Hi Jan,

    We would like to configure CC3220MOD to UARTLOAD_FUNCTIONAL_4WJ mode, Please let us know which UART0 pins can be used in module.

    Rgds

    Chandra

  • 0 in reply to Chandrashekhar Venkatesh
    Guru 39650 points

    Hi Chandra,

    If we talk about UART pins for CC3220MOD you can use pins 46 (GPIO_01) and 47 (GPIO_02). Do not forgot use use pull-up at UART TX as well in case you want to use SOP mode 0-1-0.

    Also may to be reasonable to connect pin 52 to some pad. Because this pin is used for NWP log. And this may to be usable in case of troubles.

    Jan