AXSEM - DVK-2: Development and Evaluation Kit for AXSEM RF Transceivers

The AXSEM DVK-2 is a second-generation low-cost development kit for the designer who wishes to begin working with AXSEM's AX50xx family of high performance RF devices. Unlike the DVK-1, the DVK-2 is based on AXSEM's industry standard AX8052F100 microcontroller.

Second-generation low-cost development kit
The AXSEM DVK-2 is a second-generation low-cost development kit for the designer who wishes to begin working with AXSEM's AX50xx family of high performance RF devices. Unlike the DVK-1, the DVK-2 is based on AXSEM's industry standard AX8052F100 microcontroller. The DVK-2, includes everything a designer needs to get started with the AXSEM RF-devices.

Design, program and evaluate your application
The DVK-2 allows developers to design, program and evaluate their applications using AXSEM's radio chips and microcontrollers under real world conditions. The development kit supports both the AXCode::Blocks IDE and the AX-RadioLab GUI code generator. The DVK-2 comes with two main boards and a USB debug adapter. A range of RF-modules with different AXSEM RF ICs and matched for various RF carrier frequencies are available as add-ons.

The two main boards can be programmed either with AX-EasyPacket RF software (AX5051, AX5042, AX5031, AX5151, AX5131) or with AX-RadioLab (AX5043) for immediate range and packer error rate (PER) tests. All RF-modules are matched to 50 Ohm for a specific carrier frequency and are equipped with SMA connectors that can either be used with antennas or to connect laboratory equipment.

Advanced software tool chain
AXCode::Blocks is a state of the art graphical Integrated Development Environment (IDE) offering unlimited break points, direct access to MCU and RF registers, a debug link UART interface for printf style debugging, code completion and many other attractive features, which make 8052 microcontroller code development easier than ever. AXCode::Blocks supports the freely usable SDCC compiler as well as many commercial compilers.
To make life even easier we have developed the AX-RadioLab code generator for AX5043. It generates C code in AXCode::Blocks projects for many different RF-scenarios and protocols such as wireless M-Bus or synchronous or asynchronous HDLC. AX-RadioLab can also create optimized WOR code for the AX8052F100 MCU.
All development software runs on Windows (TM) platforms. The Quick Guide takes the developer through the complete installation and code development process. An LCD display, buttons, two LED and four DIP switchs are provided to allow comprehensive prototyping and evaluation. The power supply can be switched between battery powered and debug link powered operation. A 32 kHz crystal offers an accurate time base for time critical applications.