AFBR-S50 API Reference Manual  v1.6.5
AFBR-S50 Time-of-Flight Sensor SDK for Embedded Software
MCUXpresso IDE

The provided example projects can be run on the NXP targets (MKL46Z, MKL17Z) using the MCUXpresso IDE. The evaluation kit is build on the FRDM-KL46z Evaluation Kit from NXP. Also refer to https://www.nxp.com/frdm-kl46z for further information.

Note
This guide shows how to use the example projects but the same steps can be executed to run the other MCUXpresso IDE projects. See Demo Applications for an overview.

Execute the following steps to get the example projects up and running. Please also refer to the getting started guide by NXP in case of any trouble.

Note
Depending on where you obtain the code, i.e. from the SDK installer or the GitHub repository, certain steps may differ. The projects that come with the SDK installer (found at [INSTALL_DIR]\Device\Projects\) are provided as zip-file and will be copied into the MCUXpressoIDE workspace. The projects downloaded or cloned from the AFBR-S50 GitHub repository are already unpacked an must be imported but not copied into the MCUXpressoIDE workspace (otherwise the project references may become invalid).

In order to run provided project, execute the following steps:

Install MCUXpresso IDE

Download and install the MCUXpresso IDE (recommended v11.5 or higher):

  1. Go to https://www.nxp.com/design/software/development-software/mcuxpresso-software-and-tools/mcuxpresso-integrated-development-environment-ide:MCUXpresso-IDE
  2. Click on Download and register or sign in to download the installer.
  3. Install the IDE.
  4. Go to https://mcuxpresso.nxp.com for more information.

Import NXP MKL46z SDK

Download and import the NXP MKL46z SDK (or NXP MKL17z SDK) into the MCUXpresso IDE

  1. Open MCUXpresso IDE, accept the workspace settings by clicking on Launch.
  2. Click on Download and Install SDKs on the Welcome Page.
  3. Go to the Processors tab and type MKL46 into the filter field, select the SDK_2.x_MKL46Z256xxx4 (or SDK_2.x_MKL17Z256xxx4) SDK and click Install
  4. Accept the licenses and click on Finish.
  5. After the installation has finished, close the Welcome view.
Fig. 3.1: Download and install the SDK files into the MCUXpresso IDE.

Import a Project

Import the Project archive files:

  1. Go to MCUXpresso IDE -> Quickstart Panel
  2. Click on Import projects(s) from file system...
  3. Select your project for import:
    • If importing a project as zip file as provided by the SDK installer:
      1. Click on Browse... in the Project archive (zip) section
      2. Browse to [INSTALL_DIR]\Device\Projects\ (default is C:\Program Files (x86)\Broadcom\AFBR-S50 SDK\Device\Projects\)
      3. Select the required project archive (e.g. AFBR_S50_Example_KL46z.zip) and click Open
        Fig. 3.2: Import the project archive into the MCUXpresso IDE.
    • If importing a project from the local directory as provided by cloning/downloading the GitHub repository:
      1. Click on Browse... in the Project directory (unpacked) section
      2. Browse to [REPOSITORY_ROOT]\Projects\MCUXpressoIDE\
      3. Select the required project root folder (e.g. AFBR_S50_Example_KL46z) and click Select Folder
      4. IMPORTANT: Click Nextand disable the check at Copy projects into Workspace. (Otherwise, the references to the source files will be messed up!)
        Fig. 3.3: Disable the check at "Copy projects into workspace" before importing an directory project!
  4. Click Finish

Build the Project

Note
Usually, the first slave (SPI_SLAVE = 1) identifier is used for all current evaluation or reference boards. Only some deprecated evaluation boards based on the FRDM-KL46z evaluation board may use the fifth (SPI_SLAVE = 5) SPI slave which needs to be set manually in the example.h (within Project > App > examples > example.h) file by changing the SPI_SLAVE preprocessor definition accordingly.
  1. Go to MCUXpresso IDE -> Project Explorer and select the project to build.
  2. Go to Quickstart Panel and click on Build
Fig. 3.4: Build the project.

Download and install the OpenSDA drivers

  1. Go to http://www.pemicro.com/opensda/
  2. Download and install PEDrivers_install.exe

Debug the Project with the OpenSDA Debugger

  1. Connect the OpenSDA USB port of the FRMD-KL46z evaluation board.
  2. Go to MCUXpresso IDE -> Quickstart Panel
  3. Click in the PEMicro Icon (see screenshot).
  4. The Debug Probe will be discovered and an according window will show.
  5. Click on OK
    Fig. 3.5: Run and debug the project.
  6. If the program breaks at the main() function, hit the Resume button.
    Fig. 3.6: Resume the halted program.

Display the Measurement Values

Note
This applies only for the Example Apps. In case of the Explorer App, use the AFBR-S50 Explorer GUI instead.

Display the measurement values on a PC via an UART terminal:

  1. Open a terminal (e.g. Termite) and open a UART connection using 115200 bps, 8N1, no handshake connection.
    Baud rate Data Bits Stop Bits Parity Flow Control
    115200 bps 8 1 none none
    Fig. 3.7: Setting up the terminal to receive measurement results.
  2. Range values will start to occur on the terminal as soon as the program starts its execution.
    Fig. 3.8: The serial terminal is used to display the received measurement results.