NXP FRDM platform promotes wireless connectivity

Developers are now faced with unprecedented challenges, needing to design complex software for a variety of products, often using different processors. NXP's MCUXpresso Developer Experience solves many of these challenges through a common framework for multiple MCU platforms. NXP has introduced a new wireless FRDM development board that provides wireless connectivity support.

The FRDM-RW612 and FRDM-MCXW71 boards shown below allow developers to easily add Matter, Wi-Fi, Thread, Zigbee, or BLE connectivity to smart home and industrial applications, as shown in Figure 3. Both development boards are equipped with Arduino, Mikrobus, and PMOD interfaces for rapid prototyping. Additional boards are also available in NXP's expansion board center. The MCUXpresso SDK and application code center provide a wealth of software examples and support multiple IDEs, so developers can choose the right development environment. The wireless FRDM development board combines scalable hardware, extensive software support, and rich forum resources, making it the preferred platform for developers to quickly experiment, design, and prototype innovative wireless solutions.

The FRDM-RW612 is based on the highly integrated Wi-Fi 6 tri-band wireless RW612 MCU

FRDM-MCXW71 based on multi-protocol, secure, ultra-low-power wireless MCX W71x MCU

FRDM board for creating a portfolio of IoT devices

FRDM-RW612: Rich HMI and Wi-Fi, Thread, Zigbee, and BLE connectivity using one RW61x MCU

The FRDM-RW612 enables fast, flexible development and prototyping of the RW61x family of MCUs. Based on the 260MHz Arm Cortex-M33, the RW61x tri-band MCU family combines the processing performance of the i.MX RT crossover MCU and peripherals with advanced Matter, Wi-Fi, Thread, Zigbee, BLE and Ethernet connectivity in a compact and robust design. With a high-performance core and powerful connectivity, the RW612 can embed Thread border router functionality (connecting the Thread network to the Internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet) into a variety of always-powered IoT devices, from gateways and hubs to small smart plugs and wall switches. As a single-chip solution, the RW61x family also features an integrated LCD interface with support for LVGL graphics and voice to intent (VIT) capabilities, making it suitable for many smart home and industrial IoT devices such as thermostats, home displays, smart plugs, smart speakers and control panels.

The FRDM-RW612 allows developers to easily prototype applications using the HMI peripherals and connections of the RW61x. For example, the LCD-PAR-S035 display is available through the expansion board hub and easily connected to the FRDM-RW612 board using the PMOD connector. The RW61x's integrated LCD interface is able to drive this display directly, eliminating the need for an external driver, saving cost, board space, and development time.

The LCD-PAR-S035 display can be easily connected to the FRDM-RW612 using the PMOD connector

FRDM-MCXW71: Expanding the IoT with low-power Matter, Thread, Zigbee, and BLE end nodes

The RW61x provides a rich HMI experience and tri-band connectivity, while the MCX W71x MCU family provides a single-chip solution for secure, low-power IoT terminal nodes. Powered by a 96MHz Arm Cortex-M33 processor, the MCX W71x features an ultra-low power architecture and energy-saving RF devices, supporting Matter, Thread, Zigbee, and BLE connections. Designed for end nodes such as temperature sensors, smart curtains, smart plugs, and door locks, the MCX W71x provides secure wireless connectivity while maximizing battery life. Its upgradeable wireless subsystem ensures that field devices can be upgraded for years to come to meet the latest wireless standards.

Using the FRDM-MCXW71 board, developers can quickly prototype low-power end nodes that require Thread, Zigbee, and/or BLE connectivity. The integrated PCB trace antenna enables developers to quickly build and test wireless networks such as Matter. By using additional boards, designers can quickly create prototypes to verify end-device functionality and network connectivity.

Enhance your development experience with MCUXpresso: exceptional software, tools and technical forum support

The development experience for RW61x and MCX W71 relies heavily on the MCUXpresso software and tool suite, which significantly accelerates software development on FRDM boards. One SDK supports both the MCX W71x and RW61x families and is compatible with multiple IDEs, including:

• Visual Studio Code (VS Code): NXP’s VS Code extension for fast and flexible development.

• MCUXpresso IDE: Easy-to-use Eclipse-based IDE customized for NXP MCUs.

• IAR Embedded Workbench: Safety-certified and highly optimized C/C++ compiler and development environment.

Provide extensive support for development experience

Simplify and accelerate with NXP’s runtime software

Additionally, the MCUXpresso SDK includes open source examples based on FreeRTOS and provides the option to connect to the Amazon AWS Cloud using MQTT over Ethernet and LWIP or WiFi.

• The MCUXpresso SDK supports downloading drivers directly from the IDE, SDK Builder or GitHub.

• Open CMSIS packs for access to middleware via an open standard delivery mechanism.

• Zephyr platform support and FreeRTOS examples.

• The NXP Application Code Center offers a wide range of application software.

NXP's world-class technical forum support

The NXP Technology Forum provides a platform for engineers, tech enthusiasts and developers to collaborate, learn and discuss NXP products and solutions.

Visit the FRDM-RW612 and FRDM-MCXW71 sections on NXP.com for more information and the latest updates to start planning your next connected prototype.

author:

Rakshit Grover

Rakshit Grover is a Technical Marketing Engineer at NXP, responsible for mass market product marketing. He is responsible for creating technical content that focuses on demonstrating the application of NXP products in practical, real-world scenarios. He received his Master's degree in Engineering Management from Duke University, with a concentration in Product Management. He leverages his experience in product management in the semiconductor industry, as well as his experience as an embedded systems engineer in the medical device and robotics industries.