SILICON LABS SiWG917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit

Specifications

• Target Device: SiWG917Y Wireless Module
• Kit Features:
  • USB Type-C interface
  • On-board SEGGER J-Link debugger
  • Two user-LEDs and two buttons
  • Support for hardware add-on boards via mikroBus socket and Qwiic connector
• Software Support: Supported in Simplicity StudioTM with a provided Board Support Package (BSP)

Product Usage Instructions

Getting Started
To start using the SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit:

1. Connect the kit to your computer using the provided USB Type-C cable.
2. Use the on-board SEGGER J-Link debugger for programming.

Hardware Content
The kit includes the following components:

• SiWx917Y Module
• USB Type-C cable
• On-board SEGGER J-Link debugger
• Two user-LEDs and two buttons

Kit Hardware Layout
The kit layout includes a USB Type-C interface, user-LEDs, buttons, and support for hardware add-on boards via mikroBus socket and Qwiic connector.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: Can I use the kit for IoT application development?
  A: Yes, the SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit is designed for rapid prototyping and concept creation of IoT applications.
• Q: How do I program the kit?
  A: Programming is easily done using a USB Type-C cable and the on-board J-Link debugger. A USB virtual COM port provides a serial connection to the target application.

Introduction

The SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit has been designed to inspire customers to make IoT devices with the Silicon Labs SiWG917Y Wireless Module. The kit includes a mikroBUS™ socket and Qwiic® connector, allowing users to add features to the kit with a large selection of off-the-shelf boards.

Programming the SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit is easily done using a USB Type-C cable and the onboard J-Link debugger. A USB virtual COM port provides a serial connection to the target application. Included on the board is a 64 Mbit QSPI PSRAM that can be used for running applications. The SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit is supported in Simplicity Studio™ and a Board Support Package (BSP) is provided to give application developers a flying start.

Connecting external hardware to the SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit can be done using the 20 breakout pads which present peripherals from the SiWG917Y module such as I2C, SPI, UART, and GPIOs. The mikroBUS socket allows inserting mikroBUS add-on boards which interface with the SiWG917Y through SPI, UART or I2C. The Qwiic connector can be used to connect hardware from the Qwiic Connect System through I2C.

Kit Contents
The following items are included in the box:

• 1x SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit board (BRD2708A)

Getting Started
Detailed instructions for how to get started with your new SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit can be found on the Silicon Labs web page: https://www.silabs.com/dev-tools

Hardware Content
The following key hardware elements are included on the SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit:

• SiWG917Y Wireless module with 180 MHz operating frequency
• Memory: 8 MB flash, and 8 MB External On-board PSRAM
• 2.4 GHz matching network and ceramic antenna for wireless transmission
• Two LEDs and two push buttons
• On-board SEGGER J-Link debugger for easy programming and debugging, which includes a USB virtual COM port
• mikroBUS socket for connecting click boards™ and other mikroBUS add-on boards
• Qwiic connector for connecting Qwiic Connect System hardware
• Breakout pads for GPIO access and connection to external hardware
• Reset button
• ISP Mode button

Kit Hardware Layout
SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit layout is shown below.

Specifications

Recommended Operating Conditions

Current Consumption
The operating current of the board greatly depends on the application and the amount of external hardware connected. The table below attempts to give some indication of typical current consumptions for the SiWG917Y and the on-board debugger. Note that the numbers are taken from the data sheets for the devices. For a full overview of the conditions that apply for a specific number from a datasheet, the reader is encouraged to read the specific datasheet.

Table 2.2. Current Consumption

1. From SiWG917Y Wireless Module datasheet
2. From APS6404L-3SQR-ZR datasheet
3. From EFM32GG12 datasheet

Hardware

The core of the SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit is the SiWG917Y Wireless Module. Refer to section 1.4 Kit Hardware Layout for placement and layout of the hardware components.

Block Diagram
An overview of the SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit is illustrated in the figure below.

Device Connectivity & Debugging

Power Supply
The kit can be powered through one of these interfaces:

• USB Type-C
• Mini Simplicity connector
• Breakout Pads

The figure below shows the power options available on the kit and illustrates the main system power architecture.

• Power is normally applied through the USB cable. When the USB cable is connected, VBUS is regulated down to 3.3 V.
• Power can also be applied through the Mini Simplicity connector or Breakout Pads. There must be no other power sources present on the kit as power is injected directly to the VMCU net.

Important: When powering the board through the Mini Simplicity connector (not mounted on the board), the USB power source must be removed.

The power supply options are summarized in the table below.

Table 3.1. SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit Power Options

SiWG917Y Reset
The SiWG917Y can be reset by a few different sources:

• A user pressing the RESET button.
• The on-board debugger pulling the #POC_IN pin low.
• An external debugger pulling the #POC_IN pin low.

The figure below shows the reset options available on the kit.

• The Power On Control (POC) has two control options.

POC_OUT Connected to POC_IN:

• The POC_IN input of the chip should be made high only after supplies are valid to ensure the IC is in safe state. The POC_IN can be connected externally to the internally generated POC_OUT signal or can be controlled from external source like R/C circuit.
• During power up, until the VBATT reaches 1.6 V , the POC_OUT signal stays low. Once the VBATT supply exceeds 1.6 V, the POC_OUT becomes high and the RESET_N is high at least 1.6 ms after VBATT supply is stable.

External Control for POC_IN:

The POC_IN and RESET_N signals can be controlled from an external source like R/C circuits. RESET_N will be pulled low if POC_IN is low. POC_IN should be made high only after supplies are valid to ensure the IC is in safe state. A pull-up R/C circuit is applied across it to provide a delay, so that POC_IN should be high after 0.6 ms and RESET_N should be high after 1 ms of POC_IN high.

Push Buttons and LEDs
The kit has two user push buttons, marked BTN0 and BTN1, that are connected to GPIOs on the SiWG917Y Module. The BTN0 is connected to “deep sleep” wake-up pin UULP_VBAT_GPIO_2 and BTN1 is connected to GPIO_11, respectively, and they are debounced by an RC filter with a time constant of 1 ms. The logic state of a button is high while that button is not being pressed, and low when it is pressed. The kit also features two yellow LEDs, marked LED0 and LED1, that are controlled by GPIO pins on the SiWG917Y Module. The LEDs are connected to pin GPIO_10 and ULP_GPIO_2, respectively, in an active-high configuration.

ISP Mode Button
The kit features an ISP button for In System Programming, which helps to load firmware to the SiWG917Y Module. ISP mode can be used to reprogram the flash, if the application codes uses JTAG pins for other multiplexed functionalities. On boot up, if the application code goes into a state where JTAG interface is not functioning, ISP mode can be used to gain the control and to reprogram the flash.

Figure 3.5. ISP Mode Button

External Memory
The SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit includes a 64 Mbit QSPI PSRAM that is isolated from the SiWG917Y Module using switch. The APS6404L-3SQR-ZR device features a high-speed, low-pin count interface. To keep current consumption down, it is important that the PSRAM is always put in power-off mode when not used. Set power off mode by controlling the slide switch to turn off the supply to the 6-channel multiplexer. The multiplexer provides the I/O and power isolation to the PSRAM. The figure below shows how the QSPI PSRAM is connected to the SiWG917Y Module.

On-board Debugger
The SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit contains a separate microcontroller that provides the user with an onboard J-Link debugger through the USB Type-C port. This microcontroller is referred to as the “onboard debugger”, and is not programmable by the user. When the USB cable is removed, the onboard debugger goes into a very low power shutoff mode (EM4S), consuming around 80 nA typically (See EFM32GG12 data sheet).

In addition to providing code download and debug features, the on-board debugger also presents a virtual COM port for general purpose application serial data transfer. The figure below shows the connections between the target SiWG917Y Module and the onboard debugger. Refer to section 4. Debugging for more details on debugging.

Connectors
The SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit features a USB Type-C connector, 20 breakout pads, a mikroBUS connector for connecting mikroBUS add-on boards, and a Qwiic connector for connecting Qwiic Connect System hardware. The connectors are placed on the top side of the board, and their placement and pinout are shown in the figure below. For additional information on the connectors, see the following sub-chapters.

Breakout Pads
Twenty breakout connections are provided and allow connection of external peripherals. There are 10 connections on the left side of the board, and 10 connections on the right. The breakout pads contain a number of I/O pins that can be used with most of the SiWG917Y Module’s features. Additionally, the VMCU (main board power rail), 3V3 (LDO regulator output), and 5V power rails are also exposed on the pads.

The pin-routing on the module is very flexible, so most peripherals can be routed to any pin. However, pins may be shared between the breakout pads and other functions on the SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit. The table below includes an over-view of the breakout pads and functionality that is shared with the kit.

Table 3.2. Breakout Pads Pinout

MikroBUS Socket
The SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit features a mikroBUS socket compatible with mikroBUS add-on boards. MikroBUS add-on boards can expand the functionality of the kit with peripherals such as sensors, displays, communication modules, power management, memory and storage, etc. Add-on boards follow the mikroBUS socket pin mapping and communicate with the on-kit module through UART, SPI, or I2C. Several GPIOs are exposed on the mikroBUS socket. MikroBUS add-on boards can be powered by the 5V or VMCU power rails, which are available on the mikroBUS socket.

The module pinout on the kit ensures that all required peripherals are available on the mikroBUS socket. The I2C signals are, however, shared with the Qwiic connector. When inserting a mikroBUS add-on board, refer to the orientation notch on the SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit, shown in the figure below, to ensure correct orientation. Add-on boards have a similar notch that needs to be lined up with the one shown below.

The table below gives an overview of the mikroBUS socket pin connections to the SiWG917Y.

Table 3.3. mikroBUS Socket Pinout

Qwiic Connector
The SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit features a Qwiic connector compatible with Qwiic Connect System hard-ware. The Qwiic connector provides an easy way to expand the functionality of the SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit with sensors, LCDs, and other peripherals over the I2C interface. The Qwiic connector is a 4-pin polarized JST connector, which ensures the cable is inserted the right way. Qwiic Connect System hardware is daisy chain-able as long as each I2C device in the chain has a unique I2C address.

Note: The Qwiic I2C lines are shared with the onboard I2C sensors.

The Qwiic connector and its connections to Qwiic cables and the SiWG917Y are illustrated in the figure below.

The table below gives an overview of the Qwiic connections to the SiWG917Y.

Table 3.4. Qwiic Connector Pinout

Debug USB Type-C Connector
The debug USB port can be used for uploading code, debugging, and as a Virtual COM port. More information is available in section 4. Debugging.

Debugging

The SiWx917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit contains an onboard SEGGER J-Link Debugger that interfaces to the target module using the Serial Wire Debug (SWD) interface. The debugger allows the user to download code and debug applications running in the target SiWG917. Additionally, it provides a virtual COM port (VCOM) to the host computer that is connected to the target device’s serial port for general-purpose communication between the running application and the host computer. The on-board debugger is accessible through the USB Type-C connector.

On-board Debugger
The on-board debugger is a SEGGER J-Link debugger running on an EFM32 Giant Gecko. The debugger is directly connected to the debug and VCOM pins of the target SiWG917. When the debug USB cable is inserted, the on-board debugger is automatically activated and takes control of the debug and VCOM interfaces. This means that debug and communication will not work with an external debugger connected at the same time. The on-board LDO is also activated, providing power to the board.

Virtual COM Port
The virtual COM port is a connection to a UART of the target SiWG917 and allows serial data to be sent and received from the device. The onboard debugger presents this as a virtual COM port on the host computer that shows up when the USB cable is inserted. Data is transferred between the host computer and the debugger through the USB connection, which emulates a serial port using the USB Communication Device Class (CDC). From the debugger, the data is passed on to the target device through a physical UART connection. The serial format is 115200 bps, 8 bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit by default.

Note: Changing the baud rate for the COM port on the PC side does not influence the UART baud rate between the debugger and the target device.

Schematics, Assembly Drawings, and BOM

Schematics, assembly drawings, and Bill of Materials (BOM) are available through Simplicity Studio when the kit documentation package has been installed. They are also available from the kit page on the Silicon Labs website: silabs.com.

Kit Revision History and Errata

Revision History
The kit revision can be found printed on the box label of the kit, as outlined in the figure below. The kit revision history is summarized in the table below.

Table 6.1. Kit Revision History

Errata
There are no known errata at present.

Board Revision History and Errata

Revision History
The board revision can be found laser printed on the board, and the board revision history is summarized in the following table.

Table 7.1. Board Revision History

Errata
There are no known errata at present.

Document Revision History

Revision 1.0
October 2024

• Initial document release.

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Disclaimer
Silicon Labs intends to provide customers with the latest, accurate, and in-depth documentation of all peripherals and modules available for system and software implementers using or intending to use Silicon Labs products. Characterization data, available modules and peripherals, memory sizes, and memory addresses refer to each specific device, and “Typical” parameters provided can and do vary in different applications. Application examples described herein are for illustrative purposes only. Silicon Labs reserves the right to make changes without further notice to the product information, specifications, and descriptions herein, and does not give warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of the included information. Without prior notification, Silicon Labs may update product firmware during the manufacturing process for security or reliability reasons. Such changes will not alter the specifications or the performance of the product. Silicon Labs shall have no liability for the consequences of use of the information supplied in this document.

This document does not imply or expressly grant any license to design or fabricate any integrated circuits. The products are not designed or authorized to be used within any FDA Class III devices, applications for which FDA premarket approval is required or Life Support Systems without the specific written consent of Silicon Labs. A “Life Support System” is any product or system intended to support or sustain life and/or health, which, if it fails, can be reasonably expected to result in significant personal injury or death. Silicon Labs products are not designed or authorized for military applications. Silicon Labs products shall under no circumstances be used in weapons of mass destruction including (but not limited to) nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, or missiles capable of delivering such weapons. Silicon Labs disclaims all express and implied warranties and shall not be responsible or liable for any injuries or damages related to use of a Silicon Labs product in such unauthorized applications.

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Documents / Resources

SILICON LABS SiWG917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit [pdf] User Guide SiWG917Y, SiWG917Y Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit, SiWG917Y, Module Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit, Bluetooth LE Explorer Kit, LE Explorer Kit, Explorer Kit, Kit

References

• User Manual