ST8500 Hybrid PLC&RF Connectivity Development Kit User Manual

Life.Augmented
UM3244
User manual

Introduction

This user manual explains the EVLKST8500GH-2 hardware and software installation, and it details the evaluation and development possibilities offered by the kit. In particular it contains:

• General information about the EVLKST8500GH-2 HW package
• An overview of the hardware configurations
• A short guide to the FW upgrade of the kit

This user manual does not explain the functionalities of the various PLC protocols running on the ST8500. Detailed information can be found in protocol specific documentation, available within the software packages, separately delivered under the Software License Agreement by contacting your local STMicroelectronics sales office.

Safety precautions

The development kit must be used only by expert technicians.
The kit is intended for use on extra low voltage (ELV): <50 V AC, <75 V DC.
The kit is designed for evaluation only and is not for resale.

Warning: STMicroelectronics assumes no responsibility for any consequences that may result from the improper use of this tool.

Getting started

2.1 Included with the EVLKST8500GH-2
The EVLKST8500GH-2 package contains:

• One EVLKST8500GH-2 kit, based on 4 hardware boards:
  – EVALMODST8500-1: full PLC modem based on ST8500 and STLD1
  – EVALS2915A2: Sub-1 GHz (860-940 MHz) RF expansion board based on S2-LP radio
  – NUCLEO-G070RB: STM32 Nucleo-64 development board with STM32G07RB MCU as a programmable application controller with an onboard ST-LINK, acting also as a USB virtual COM port
  – ST8500GH-MB: connectivity motherboard including a USB-to-dual-UART converter to ST8500, 3V3 supply based on L6981, plus additional features for STM32 application development such as RS485 and CAN transceivers, an SD card connector, and an SPI FLASH for FW storage

• One Micro-USB cable to connect the evaluation kit to the PC

• One AC/DC universal adapter to provide 12 V – 1 A DC supply

• One bag with a 4.7 µH coil for best performance in case of usage for PLC CEN-B band Figure 2 depicts the block diagram of the EVLKST8500GH-2.

2.2 Software packages
The ST8500 Hybrid PLC&RF connectivity development kit is fully programmable, including both the ST8500 modem and the STM32G070RB MCU. The STSW-ST8500GH-2 software package includes a complete application example and all the necessary tools for a complete evaluation of G3-Hybrid communication (PLC & RF).
The kit is delivered with both the STM32 MCU and the ST8500 modem pre- programmed with the application example and the G3-Hybrid FW images from the STSW-ST8500GH-2 package.
Please visit the EVLKST8500GH-2 page on www.st.com or contact an STMicroelectronics sales representative to obtain the latest available SW packages.

Hardware description and configuration

The EVLKST8500GH-2 kit includes an EVALS2915A2 module for RF communication, but it is also compatible with the X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 module from the previous EVLKST8500GH868 kit as well. When using the X-NUCLEO-S2868A2 module, J115 and J116 must be closed on the “868” position instead of the “915” position (default, to be used when using the EVALS2915A2 module).
The EVLKST8500GH-2 kit includes a NUCLEO-G070RB, but the ST8500GH-MB interconnection board also supports the NUCLEO-G474RE and NUCLEO-L476RG development boards. These development boards can replace the NUCLEO-G070RB with the same features, plus the CAN bus interface (not available on NUCLEOG070RB).
When using the NUCLEO-G474RE or the NUCLEO-L476RG instead of the NUCLEO- G070RB, the following hardware modifications are required to preserve the kit’s functionalities:

Table 1. Hardware modifications related to the NUCLEO board model

For up-to-date documentation including schematics, BOM, and PCB layout please visit the dedicated webpages on www.st.com.
All the documentation related to the NUCLEO-G070RB and EVALS2915A2 is available on the designated webpages on www.st.com.

3.1 External connectors and switches
The kit includes:

• A DC jack connector to supply the kit with a 12 V, 1 A DC adapter (provided with the kit).

• A two-line PLC connector for wiring the kit to an AC or DC bus, or even directly to another ST8500 board for lab communication tests.

• One switch (SW201) to select the UART pass-through to the ST8500:
  – STM32 (default) = The ST8500 host interface UART is connected to the STM32 (normal mode).
  – CP2105 = The ST8500 host interface UART is connected to the CP2105 serial- to-USB converter and is directly accessible from the USB connector (UART pass- through mode).

• Two DIP switches to select ST8500 BOOT mode and the PLC bandplan:
  – SW101 selects the ST8500 BOOT mode:
  ◦ Down (default) = ST8500 boots from SPI FLASH on the ST8500 module.
  ◦ Up = ST8500 boots from the host interface.
  – SW102 selects the PLC bandplan (1) :
  ◦ Down (default) = the modem communicates on the CENELEC-A bandplan.
  ◦ Up = the modem communicates on the FCC bandplan.

• Connectivity to the PC via the ST-LINK integrated into the NUCLEO-G070RB, for FW development and communication tests.

• Several features that can be used for STM32 application development:
  – RS485 and CAN (2) connectors to develop industrial communication connectivity applications.
  – An SD card and SPI FLASH to develop data storage solutions for any application.
  – A SYNC I/O connector providing access to an STM32 GPIO or, alternatively, to an ST8500 pin for test purposes.

1. The S2 switch function is software implemented inside the STM32 application example and therefore it can be modified via software.
2. The CAN interface is not available on NUCLEO-G070RB. If needed, it can be replaced by a different NUCLEO board, such as NUCLEO-G474RE or NUCLEO-L476RG, by the user.

Figure 3 shows the positions of the EVLKST8500GH-2 connectors and switches.

3.2 ST8500 module

The EVALMODST8500-1 is connected to the baseboard through two connectors:

• J201 line connector to interface the PLC to the AC or DC line
• J200 digital and supply connector to interface the module to the STM32 microcontroller

The basic interface between the STM32 host controller and the ST8500 includes the following lines:

• UART RX/TX as ST8500 host interface
• RESETN signal (active low)
• BOOT1 to control the ST8500 boot mode
• LPMODEn to control the ST8500 low power mode (active low)
• UART Trace TX to output firmware binary traces for debug

Two DC voltages are provided to the ST8500 module:

• 12 V to supply the STLD1 line driver
• 3.3 V to supply the ST8500 section (including 1.1 V on-board DCDC input and 2.5 V integrated LDO input)

Figure 5 indicates the main sections on the ST8500 module.

3.3 Interconnection details
3.3.1 NUCLEO-G070RB interconnections

Table 2. NUCLEO-G070RB – ST8500 interconnections

ST8500 interface| FUNTION| NUCLEO-G070RB| Signal| EVALMODST8500-1
---|---|---|---|---
Connector
name| Connector
pin| STM32
pin| Connector
name| Connector
pin| Signal
Host IF UART| CN107| 1| PC10| ST8500_HI_RXD| JP200| 14| GPIO00_4
CN107| 2| PC11| ST8500_HI_TXD| JP200| 11| GPIO00_5
Debug
Trace
UART| CN110| 37| PC5| ST8500_DBG_TX| JP200| 15| GPIO01_4
CN110| 35| PC4| ST8500_DBG_RX| JP200| 18| GPIO01_5
Reset| CN107| 35| PC2| ST8500_RESETn| JP200| 10| RESETN
Low Power
Mode| CN107| 32| PA4| ST8500_LPMODEn| JP200| 8| LPMODEN
BOOT| CN107| 21| PB7| ST8500_BOOT0| JP200| 25| BOOT0
CN110| 24| PB6| ST8500_BOOT1| JP200| 23| BOOT1
CN110| 29| PB5| ST8500_BOOT2| JP200| 24| BOOT2
GPIO| CN110| 13| PA6| ST8500_GPIO00_6| JP200| 12| GPIO00_6
CN110| 15| PA7| ST8500_GPIO00_7| JP200| 9| GPIO00_7

Table 3. NUCLEO-G070RB – other interconnections

| Function| NUCLEO-G070RB
---|---|---
Connector name| Connector pin| STM32 pin| Signal
SD Card connector (J113)| SD Card SPI| CN10| 26| PB15| SDC_MOSI
CN10| 25| PB14| SDC_MISO
CN10| 30| PB13| SDC_SCK
CN10| 16| PC1| SDC_CSn
SD Card GPIO| CN10| 18| PC0| SDC_Detect
SPI Flash (U103)| External FLASH SPI| CN10| 26| PB15| eFlash_MOSI
CN10| 25| PB14| eFlash_MISO
CN10| 30| PB13| eFlash_SCK
CN10| 23| PA8| eFlash_CSn
RS-485 connector (J107)| RS485 UART| CN10| 35| PC4| RS485_TX
CN10| 37| PC5| RS485_RX
RS485 GPIO| CN7| 30| PA1| RS485_DE
CAN connector (J109)| CAN UART| CN10| 12| PA12| CAN_TX
CN10| 14| PA11| CAN_RX
LEDs| GPIO| CN7| 4| PD2| LED0
CN10| 1| PC9| LED1
CN10| 2| PC8| LED2
CN10| 4| PC6| LED3
ST8500 boot mode switch
(SW101)| GPIO| CN10| 24| PB6| ST8500_BOOT1
STM32 switch (SW102)| GPIO| CN7| 3| PC12| PC12
SYNC connector (J106)| GPIO| CN10| 22| PB2| STM32_SYNC

3.3.2 EVALS2915A2 interconnections

Table 4. EVALS2915A2 interconnections

| EVALS2915A2| EVALMODST8500-1| Function
---|---|---|---
Connector name| Connector pin| Signal| Connector name| Connector pin| Signal
S2-LP interface| J2| 4| SCLK| J205| 5| GPIO00_0| SPI2_CLK
J2| 8| SDN| J205| 3| GPIO00_7| S2-LP_SDN
J5| 4| SDI| J205| 7| GPIO00_1| SPI2_MOSI
J5| 5| SDO| J205| 10| GPIO00_3| SPI2_MISO
J6| 2| CSn| J205| 9| GPIO00_2| SPI2_CS
J6| 6| GPIO3| J205| 1| GPIO01_6| S2-LP_IRQ

Firmware upgrade

4.1 How to upgrade the STM32 firmware
The kit supports a STM32 FW upgrade through the ST-LINK USB by using the STM32CubeProgrammer software available on www.st.com (STM32CubeProg).
The ST-LINK USB connection can be used for FW debugging and development while at the same time acting as a Virtual COM port (VCP). The related driver is available on www.st.com (STSW-LINK009).

4.2 How to upgrade the ST8500 firmware
On the EVALMODST8500-1 module, the ST8500 is connected through SPI to an external FLASH memory that stores the FW loaded at start-up by the ST8500 in “Boot from SPI FLASH” mode. This SPI FLASH memory can be reprogrammed using specific tools and techniques provided by STMicroelectronics.
Please refer to the documentation and tools that come with the latest STSW- ST8500GH-2 software package available from the EVLKST8500GH-2 page on www.st.com or contact an STMicroelectronics sales representative.

Formal notices required by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission

(“FCC”)

FCC NOTICE: This kit is designed to allow:

1. Product developers to evaluate electronic components, circuitry, or software associated with the kit to determine whether to incorporate such items in a finished product.
2. Software developers to write software applications for use with the end product. This kit is not a finished product and when assembled may not be resold or otherwise marketed unless all required FCC equipment authorizations are first obtained. Operation is subject to the condition that this product not cause harmful interference to licensed radio stations and that this product accepts harmful interference. Unless the assembled kit is designed to operate under part 15, part 18 or part 95 of Title 47 Chapter I, the operator of the kit must operate under the authority of an FCC license holder or must secure an experimental authorization under part 5 of the FCC Rules.

The kit is designed for evaluation only and is not for resale.

5.1 Antenna requirements
Since the kit is destined for professional users, a standard connector is used to attach the antenna to it.
The kit must be used with the antenna that is already provided in the package.
It can be replaced only by an identical one: LPRS ANT-900MS / ANT-900MR 868-915 MHz Flexible ¼ Wave Whip Antenna.

Table 5. Document revision history

IMPORTANT NOTICE – READ CAREFULLY
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Purchasers are solely responsible for the choice, selection, and use of ST products and ST assumes no liability for application assistance or the design of purchasers’ products.
No license, express or implied, to any intellectual property right is granted by ST herein. Resale of ST products with provisions different from the information set forth herein shall void any warranty granted by ST for such product.
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Information in this document supersedes and replaces information previously supplied in any prior versions of this document.

UM3244 – Rev 1
© 2023 STMicroelectronics – All rights reserved

Documents / Resources

| ST ST8500 Hybrid PLC&RF Connectivity Development Kit [pdf] User Manual
ST8500 Hybrid PLC RF Connectivity Development Kit, ST8500, Hybrid PLC RF Connectivity Development Kit, PLC RF Connectivity Development Kit, Connectivity Development Kit, Development Kit
---|---

References

• STSW-ST8500GH-2 - ST8500 Hybrid PLC&RF connectivity development kit: G3-PLC Hybrid PLC & RF software package - STMicroelectronics

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