Microchip Technology TXRX Module 868 MHZ ULP SUB GHZ MRF89XAM8A-I/RM MRF89XAM8A-I/RM Information Guide

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DS51942A

The MRF89XAMxA PICtail

™

/PICtail Plus Daughter Board is a demonstration and

development daughter board for the following modules:
• MRF89XAM8A Ultra Low-Power Sub-GHz Transceiver module – 868 MHz (AC164138-1)
• MRF89XAM9A Ultra Low-Power Sub-GHz Transceiver module – 915 MHz (AC164138-2)

The daughter board can be plugged into multiple Microchip Technology demonstration and
development boards. For example, the daughter board is appropriate for 8-bit microcontroller
development using the PIC18 Explorer Board (DM183032) or for 16-bit and 32-bit
microcontroller development using the Explorer 16 Development Board (DM240001).

The 

  (DS70653A)  is

available for download from the Microchip website 

http://www.microchip.com/wireless

. The

User’s Guide contains more detailed information on the features, operation, schematics and
Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

Sample source code is available at Microchip Wireless Design Environment, Microchip
Wireless Media Access Controller (MiMAC) and Microchip Wireless Application
Programming Interface (MiApp), and each are described in Application Notes AN1283 and
AN1284. A Quick Start Guide is included in the software installation package that explains the
installation and operation of the demonstration program.The Quick Start Guide is available
for download from the Microchip website 

http://www.microchip.com/wireless.

The MRF89XA Radio Utility Driver Program provides design engineers a development and
testing utility program that operates on the PIC18 Explorer Board (DM183032) and Explorer
16 Development Board (DM240001). This program is available for download from the
Microchip website 

http://www.microchip.com/wireless, 

and detailed information is given in the

Application Note AN1340.

Programming and configuration options for the MRF89XAMxA transceiver modules are
provided in the 

(DS70622).

Sample source code is the best place to start. Refer to the compile options when enabling the
MRF89XAMxA transceiver modules.

Power Disconnect/Current Measure Jumpers (JP1/JP2) – Two 2-pin headers are connected
in parallel. A shunt connects power to the MRF89XAMxA module. A current meter can be
placed on the header and shunt can be removed to measure the current consumption. 

TIP: To prevent power interruption to the MRF89XAMxA module, keep the shunt on the
header while connecting the current meter. After connecting, remove the shunt to measure
current.

INT2 Jumper (JP3) – For the PIC18 Explorer Board, jumpering JP3 with a shunt allows the
connection of RA5 to RB2/INT2 and enables push-button switch S2 to trigger an interrupt.

Voltage and current to the MRF89XAMxA PICtail

TM

/PICtail Plus Daughter Board should be in 

the range of 2.1-3.6V. Ensure that the daughter board is plugged into a development/demon-
stration board that meets this power requirement; otherwise, damage to the MRF89XAMxA 

PICtail

TM

/PICtail Plus Daughter Board may occur.