Simplicity Studio User Guide
Lalo Scalf
The MGM240P uses Silicon Labs' Simplicity Studio IDE as a development tool for programming, debugging, customizing, etc. In this section we'll cover the basics of installing the IDE and adding the Thing Plus Matter.
Silicon Labs requires you to create a (free) account to download Simplicity Studio so make one if you do not have one already. Once the installer finishes downloading, open it and follow the installation instructions.
When you first open Simplicity Studio you'll be greeted by the Launcher window. The default Launcher window lets users install board files for both connected devices and by searching for a supported product. It also lists any recent projects you've worked on as well as links to user guides and support documentation.
On the left side there are two windows for any debug adapters (top) and all installed products (bottom). In the very top right of the screen you'll see the tabs to switch between the launcher, the Simplicity IDE and the Debug window. We'll be using the IDE tab in the next section once we finish installing the Thing Plus Matter into Simplicity Studio.
Simplicity Studio makes adding devices extremely easy by just connecting the device to your computer over USB and then selecting "Connected Devices". It automatically checks the device ID to matching supported products and should display either as a J-Link Silicon Labs debugger (prior to install) or "SparkFun Thing Plus MGM240P" as the connected device.
With the connected Thing Plus selected, click "Start". This opens the Installation Manager window where you can select either "Auto" or "Advanced" installation. Most users should select "Auto" and then click "Next". You'll be prompted to agree to licensing agreements. Once you have agreed, click "Finish" and it will install all necessary software, drivers and other packages to use the Thing Plus Matter in Simplicity Studio.
The install process can take a few minutes and once it completes you'll need to restart the program. After restarting, your Launcher window should update and look similar to the screenshot below:
This window contains several tabs that cover the general overview of the board, examples, documentation and compatible tools. Feel free to explore as much as you'd like but for now we'll move on to a basic "Blink" example to make sure everything was set up correctly and the Thing Plus Matter is working.
They also have much more documentation covering other applications including Thread, other wireless protocols, and the Gecko SDK used in Simplicity Studio available on their main documentation page here:
SOFTWARE SUPPORT
- Simplicity Studio
- Si-DBG1015A
- Simplicity Link Debugger board (BRD1015A)
- Mini Simplicity Cable
1.1 Getting Started
To start programming or debugging your own hardware, download the latest version of Simplicity Studio, and connect the flat cable to your hardware. If your hardware does not feature a suitable connector, break out pads might be alternatively used to provide connection by means of jumper wires. Segger J-Link drivers are required. These are installed by default during installation of Simplicity Studio, and they can also be downloaded directly from Segger.
1.2 Installation
Go to silabs.com/developers/simplicity-studio to download the latest version of Simplicity Studio and SDK resources, or simply update your software opening the Installation Manager dialog.
The software user guide is accessible from the Help menu or visiting the documentation pages at: docs.silabs.com/simplicity-studio-5-users-guide/latest/ss-5-users-guide-overview
1.3 Custom Hardware Requirements
To connect and to take advantage of all debugging features offered by the Simplicity Link Debugger and Silicon Labs software tools, the Mini Simplicity interface needs to be implemented at design stage of the custom hardware. The Single Wire Debug interface is required for programming and basic debug functionality. See table Table 2.1 Mini Simplicity Connector Pin Descriptions on page 6 for connector pinout.
The cable provided with the kit is a 1.27 mm (50 mil) pitch ribbon cable, terminated with 10-pin IDC connectors. To match this and avoid mistakes when connecting the hardware, choosing a keyed connector is recommended, for example Samtec FTSH-105-01-L-DV-K.
Silicon Labs Dev kits and Explorer kits provide implementation examples for specific device packages, which allows one to see how signals are routed between the Mini Simplicity connector and the peripherals on a given target device.
See table Table 2.1 Mini Simplicity Connector Pin Descriptions on page 6 for descriptions of signal nets.
2.3.3 Mini Simplicity
The Mini Simplicity Connector is designed to offer advanced debug features through a small 10-pin connector:
If needed, the Mini Simplicity interface also support on-demand power to the connected device. This function is normally disabled and the VTARGET pin is used only for sensing.Table 2.1. Mini Simplicity Connector Pin Descriptions
6.1 Firmware Upgrades
You can upgrade the kit firmware through Simplicity Studio. Simplicity Studio will automatically check for new updates on startup.
You can also use the kit configuration dialog for manual upgrades. Click the [Browse] button in the [Update Adapter] section to select the correct file ending in .emz. Then, click the [Install Package] button.Kit Revision HistoryThe kit revision can be found printed on the kit packaging label, as outlined in the figure below. The revision history given in this section may not list every kit revision. Revisions with minor changes may be omitted.
Note: Use the Reset button in the IDE to reset the target when connected using a USB Debug Adapter. Remove power from the target board and the USB Debug Adapter before connecting or disconnecting the ribbon cable from the target board. Connecting or disconnecting the cable when the devices have power can damage the device and/or the USB Debug Adapter.
The C8051F35x-DK Development Kit requires Simplicity Studio, which is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) provided by Silicon Laboratories for software development and debugging. Follow these steps to set up the software:
Note: Simplicity Studio can detect if certain toolchains are not activated. If the Licensing Helper is displayed after completing the Setup Environment wizard, follow the instructions to activate the toolchain.
Notes
- Use the Reset button in the IDE to reset the target when connected using a USB Debug Adapter.
- Remove power from the target board and the USB Debug Adapter before connecting or disconnecting the ribbon cable from the target board. Connecting or disconnecting the cable when the devices have power can damage the device and/or the USB Debug Adapter.
- Simplicity Studio greatly reduces development time and complexity with Silicon Labs EFM32 and 8051 MCU products by providing a high-powered IDE, tools for hardware configuration, and links to helpful resources, all in one place.
- Once Simplicity Studio is installed, the application itself can be used to install additional software and documentation components to aid in the development and evaluation process.
- 8051 Products Part Support
- Simplicity Developer Platform
Each project has its own source files, target configuration, SDK configuration, and build configurations such as the Debug and Release build configurations. The IDE can be used to manage multiple projects in a collection called a workspace. Workspace settings are applied globally to all projects within the workspace. This can include settings such as key bindings, window preferences, and code style and formatting options. Project actions, such as build and debug are context sensitive. For example, the user must select a project in the Project Explorer view in order to build that project.To create a project based on the Blinky example:
- Click the Software Examples tile from the Simplicity Studio home screen.
- In the Kit drop-down, select C8051F350 Development Kit, in the Part drop-down, select C8051F350, and in the SDK drop-down, select the desired SDK. Click Next.
- Under C8051F350 Development Kit, select F35x Blinky, click Next, and click Finish.
- Click on the project in the Project Explorer and click Build, the hammer icon in the top bar. Alternatively, go to ProjectBuild Project.
- Click Debug to download the project to the hardware and start a debug session.
- Press the Resume button to start the code running. The LED should blink.
- Press the Suspend button to stop the code.
- Press the Reset the device button to reset the target MCU.
- Press the Disconnect button to return to the development perspective.