antennahead

Please find instructions attached for connecting a Launchpad debugger to this '5172 bare bones board. this comes in handy if you don't have a FET430 bugger. This will work with other MSP430s as well, so long as the SPI-biwire inteferace is used for JTAG. 5172+launchpad.pdf

This board is now available from Schmartboard: http://www.schmartboard.com/index.asp?page=products_dev&id=641

Actually, it is already a Yagi-Uda design. Indeed the ground plane is the reflector element, and you can see the 3 director elements.

Gerber files are attached- changed to a plain rectangular board and removed schmartboard silkscreen for public consumption. BareBonesF5172_gerber.zip

Yes, using CC2591 PA/LNA. I do have an VNA, but we actually matched this using load pull characterization, see paper. Wasn't much better than what was in the CC2591 data sheet for a 50 Ohm match though.

Please see attached schematic, board photo, and paper we had submitted to RWS 2011/2012. At any rate, we spun the antenna out of this as I previously mentioned and made DN034, previously cited in this thread. Ultimately the Chipcon team in Oslo decided not to pursue and App Note based on the combination CC2500+CC2591 for a few reasons. Beware, the way we were operating this thing was breaking all sorts of FCC rules... but we wanted to see how far we could push this chipset. The zip file has the gerber files- for proper transmission lines you MUST use the PCB stackup outlined i

OK, I really do hate to brag here, but see attached snap shot of an ultra-long range xcvr based on the CC2500+CC2591+Yagi antenna, (+7 dBi Gain). This xcvr design was based on the ez430-rf2500, and then I added the 2591 and the antenna. This design was the basis for TI app Note DN034, "2.4 GHz Yagi Antenna Design" http://www.ti.com/lit/an/swra350/swra350.pdf With low data rate, and +28 dBm EIRP, this thing had a range of ... 60 miles. We tested it by placing the transmiter on top of Pikes Peak (14,110 ft) west of Colorado Springs, and started driving to Kansas.

Yes, KLDX part number is in the BOM, posted above, can be purchased from Mouser. I will get the revised Gerbers up here in the next day or so, sorry for the delay.

Why do we just call it "Bare Bones F5172 EVM". Can you please create the topic thread and I will add content. I designed this board Pro Bono, but I do have to delete their patented features on something that the public could leverage. The schmartboard system is modular, which is pretty cool, and they use a special solder mask technology on the top side to make soldering the MCU extra easy (prevents solder bridges between pins).

I've also created a 'F5172 eval board, but a simpler design. See attached image. This design was motivated by a need at U. of Colorado, Boulder for a Timer_D enabled '430 for use in their senior level power lab class. Class starts on Monday, 1/14/2013. Schematic and BOM is attached. This board will be available for purchase from Schmartboard (http://www.schmartboard.com/) probably in about a month. Model #710-0009-01, board size is 2"x3" with 0.1" headers and the usual MSP430 UIF interface. It will cost between $20-$30 depending on if you want the MSP stuffed or not.