4.3.2 Zigbee RF Test Demonstration

In this demonstration, the user can transmit Zigbee packets, enter RX mode and CW mode with the PIC32CX-BZ3 by using the MCHPRT3.

Perform the following steps for the demonstration of the Zigbee packet transmission:

  1. Set up the connection between the PIC32 WBZ351 Curiosity Board and PC. For more details, refer to Getting Started with MCHPRT3.
  2. In the RF ZB tab, perform the following steps:
    1. From the “RF Modes” drop-down list, select TX Mode.
    2. From the “Channel” drop-down list, select 2405 MHz for channel 11.
    3. From the “Packet Type” drop-down list, select Packet Type as General (default value) or Smallest.
    4. From the “Power Level” drop-down list, select Level 0.
      Note: Level 0: Uncalibrated maximum transmit power from the device, i.e., the output power would be varied between devices. This Level 0 is provided only for testing purpose. For calibrated power level, Level 1 (11 dBm) to Level 15 (-3 dBm), 1 dBm power step per level.
    5. From the “Delay Time” drop-down list, select the Packet Delay Time (00-250) (the default value is 10).
    6. From the “Packet Number” drop-down list, select the Number of Transmitting Packet (00-250) (the default value is 00, Continuous Packet Transmission).
3. Click START to transmit the Zigbee packet.
Note: The “Data Rate” must be set at 250 Kbps, and the “Delay Time” must be 10 for the standard Zigbee packet stream.
Figure 4-12. MCHPRT3 PIC32CX-BZ3 GUI for Zigbee RF TX Modulation Test Demonstration

Perform the following steps for the demonstration of the Zigbee RX mode:

  1. Set up the connection between the PIC32 WBZ351 Curiosity Board and PC. For more details, refer to Getting Started with MCHPRT3.
  2. In the RF ZB tab, perform the following steps:
    1. From the “RF Modes” drop-down list, select RX Mode.
    2. From the “Channel” drop-down list, select 2405 MHz for channel 11.
    3. From the “RX Data Rate” drop-down list, select Data Rate (250K, 500K, 1M and 2M), for example, select 250K.
  3. Click START to receive the Zigbee packet. The total number of received packets are available under the “RX Packet” drop-down list.
Figure 4-13. MCHPRT3 PIC32CX-BZ3 GUI for Zigbee RF RX Mode Demonstration

Perform the following steps for the demonstration of the Zigbee CW mode to transmit CW tone:

  1. Set up the connection between the PIC32 WBZ351 Curiosity Board and PC. For more details, refer to Getting Started with MCHPRT3.
  2. In the RF ZB tab, perform the following steps:
    1. From the “RF mode” drop-down list, select CW Mode.
    2. From the “Channel” drop-down list, select 2405 MHz for channel 11.
    3. From the “Power Level” drop-down list, select Level 0.
  3. Click START to transmit the CW tone.
Figure 4-14. MCHPRT3 PIC32CX-BZ3 GUI for Zigbee CW Mode Demonstration

ED Mode, LQI Mode, CCA Mode, TX to RX mode and RX to TX mode, as well as the area of ZB CERT are used in Zigbee PHY certification.

  • ED mode: This mode is for Zigbee PHY test item: TP/154/PHY/RECEIVE-06, which is a test for the DUT is capable of reporting Energy Detection (ED) values with the proper monotonicity and linearity requirements. Due to the limit on the ED value register, the range of ED value shows in MCHPRT3 would not be the same as the request of Zigbee PHY test plan. It is accepted to give another ED value with the same requested received power range. In our Zigbee PHY certification, ED value would be 16 for -76 dBm and 56 to 57 for -36 dBm received power.
    Note: ED value could be converted into RSSI by this formula: RSSI = ED value -94
  • LQI mode: This mode is for Zigbee PHY test item: TP/154/PHY/RECEIVE-07, which is a test for the DUT capable of reporting Link Quality Indicator (LQI).
  • CCA mode: This mode is for Zigbee PHY test item: TP/154/PHY/RECEIVE-08, which is a test for the DUT capable of reporting on channel traffic by at least 1 of the 3 Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) methods (modes) at the CCA ED Threshold specified in the Zigbee PHY test plan.
  • TX to RX mode: This is for Zigbee PHY test item: TP/154/PHY/TURNAROUND-TIME-02, which is a test for the DUT that has a TX-to-RX turnaround time less than or equal to the TX-to-RX Turnaround Time specified in the Zigbee PHY test plan.
  • RX to TX mode: This is for Zigbee PHY test item: TP/154/PHY/TURNAROUND-TIME-01, which is a test for the DUT that has a RX-to-TX turnaround time that meets the RX-to-TX Turnaround Time specified in the Zigbee PHY test plan.
Figure 4-15. MCHPRT3 PIC32CX-BZ3 GUI for Zigbee PHY Test