Continuous Transmission Test Mode

This section describes how the radio transceiver can be forced to continuously transmit a single tone (continuous wave - CW) or a random (PRBS) signal. This test mode can be used for RF related measurements (TX power, harmonics) and other test purposes. For further details refer to appendix A (Continuous Transmission Test Mode) of the AT86RF231 datasheet.

The sequences for continuous wave (CW) transmission are based on the High Data Rate Modes.

Parameters:

	txcwdata	Defines the carrier offset for cw signals (phy_cont_tx_cw_*): 0x00 : CW signal - 0.5 MHz relative to current channel center frequency. 0xFF : CW signal + 0.5 MHz relative to current channel center frequency.
	txmoddata	defines the continuously repeated PSDU data to be transmitted (phy_cont_tx_mod_*): random data: modulated RF, it is recommended, that the array has a length of 127. If the synchronization header (SHR: 0,0,0,0,0xA7) is included in this array, the continuous transmission can be recognized as a loop of individual IEEE 802.15.4 frames without interframe spacing.

Additionally to these parameters, the current channel (see PHY_SET_CHANNEL) and transmit power (see PHY_SET_TRANSMIT_POWER) of the radio transceiver can be configured before starting the continuous transmit operation.

Note:

This chapter only describes the initiation of a continuous transmission using the register start method. However, it is also possible to use the pin start method.

Use Cases:

• PHY_CONT_TX_CW_REGSTART
• PHY_CONT_TX_MOD_REGSTART
• PHY_CONT_TX_STOP

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PHY_CONT_TX_CW_REGSTART

This sequence describes the Continuous Transmission Test Mode of a CW signal (CW mode).

Code example

    /* AT86RF231::PLL_ON */
    trx_bit_write(SR_TX_AUTO_CRC_ON, 0);
    trx_reg_write(0x36, 15);
    trx_bit_write(SR_OQPSK_DATA_RATE, 3);
    trx_reg_write(RG_RX_CTRL, 167);
    trx_frame_write(len(txcwdata), txcwdata);
    trx_reg_write(RG_PART_NUM, 84);
    trx_reg_write(RG_PART_NUM, 70);
    trx_bit_write(SR_TRX_CMD, CMD_TX_START);
    /* AT86RF231::BUSY_TX */

PHY_CONT_TX_MOD_REGSTART

This sequence describes the Continuous Transmission Test Mode of a modulated carrier (PRBS mode).

Code example

    /* AT86RF231::PLL_ON */
    trx_bit_write(SR_TX_AUTO_CRC_ON, 0);
    trx_reg_write(0x36, 15);
    trx_frame_write(len(txmoddata), txmoddata);
    trx_reg_write(RG_PART_NUM, 84);
    trx_reg_write(RG_PART_NUM, 70);
    trx_bit_write(SR_TRX_CMD, CMD_TX_START);
    /* AT86RF231::BUSY_TX */

PHY_CONT_TX_STOP

This sequence stops the Continuous Transmission Test Mode. It is recommended to perform a reset after stopping this mode (see also Reset).

Code example

    /* AT86RF231::BUSY_TX */
    trx_reg_write(RG_PART_NUM, 0);
    trx_pinset_reset(0);
    trx_pinset_slptr(0);
    delay(t10);
    trx_pinset_reset(1);
    /* AT86RF231::TRX_OFF */

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