Prerequisites & Timeline

Basic rules apply when using the eZ430-RF2500 boards:

• beware of static electricity, don't touch the components directly;
• never disconnect a target board from the USB programmer if still plugged into the computer;
• never disconnect a target board from the battery unit with jumper on (two leftmost pictures);
• connect as shown on the two rightmost pictures, otherwise you destroy the board !

For this tutorial, you need:

• an MSP430 eZ430-RF2500 Development Tool kit, i.e. two target boards, a USB programmer and a battery unit This set of 2 motes is manufactured and sold by Texas Instruments for $49 ;
• a computer running Windows, with a free USB port;
• the following freeware (available online): IAR Quick Start, SmartRF studio, PuTTY, eZ430-RF2500 Sensor Monitor Demo, cygwin (with packets GNUplot and sys), Xming for Windows If this software is not installed, refer to the Installation Instructions ;
• ideally, an oscilloscope like the Tektronix TDS 210 with a 1Ohm resistor mounted in an open jumper.

This tutorial is meant to be completed within 8 hours (one full day or two half days):

• Lab 1. Discover the development environment, run a basic demo (hour 1).
• Lab 2. Discover the eZ430-RF2500 board and its components (hour 2).
• Lab 3. Simple examples for the MSP430 (hours 3-4).
• Lab 4. Simple examples for the CC2500 (hour 5).
• Lab 5. RF measurements (hours 6-7).
• Lab 6. Implementing a preamble sampling MAC protocol (hour 8).
• Lab 7. Running a Complete Wireless Sensor Network (hour 8).