Silicon Labs


Silicon Labs a leading provider of microcontroller, sensing and wireless connectivity solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT).

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Silicon Labs Firmware

Table of Contents

  1. Key Features
  2. Supported Kits and Firmware
  3. Firmware Upgrade Instructions

The kit firmware is the application that enables the kit to do debugging, current measurements, flashing, virtual COM port, among other things.


Key Features

USB Mass Storage Device (USB MSC)

  • Program binary images to target by simply copying them to the flash drive in your operating system.
  • MSC programming supports flat binary files, Motorola S-record files and Intex Hex format files.

Virtual COM port (USB CDC)

  • A virtual serial port which can be used for communications between a computer and the target application.
  • Available whenever the J-Link USB cable is connected to a computer.
  • Fixed configuration; 115 200 bps, 8 data bits, no parity bit, 1 stop bit.

Advanced Energy Monitoring (AEM)

  • Monitor the current and energy use of the target application in real time.
  • Correlate energy consumption to code segments using Energy Profiler in Simplicity Studio.

Debug Multiplexer

  • A multiplexer on the board enables debugging of an external target (such as a custom board) using a standard cable.
  • Controlled using the Kit Manager in Simplicity Studio.


Supported Kits and Firmware

ARM mbed is at this time supported by a the STKs listed below. Please note that the Happy Gecko STK and newer STKs require a different firmware image than older EFM32 kits.

Use S1014 Common STK Firmware Package for the following kits:

  • STK3200 - EFM32 Zero Gecko
  • STK3600 - EFM32 Leopard Gecko
  • STK3700 - EFM32 Giant Gecko
  • STK3800 - EFM32 Wonder Gecko

Use S1015A MCU STK Firmware Package for the following kits:

  • STK3400 - EFM32 Happy Gecko


Firmware Upgrade Instructions

1. Download Simplicity Studio

If you don't have Simplicity Studio installed already, download it from http://www.silabs.com/simplicity.

Simplicity Studio is available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X.

2. Install Simplicity Studio

Install using the downloaded file and start Simplicity Studio. When asked about which features to install, select EFM32:

3. Upgrade the Firmware

Connect your kit, makes sure it is detected by Simplicity Studio and start the Kit Manager: /media/uploads/anbugge/ss-fwupgrade1.png

If you are asked to update the kit firmware when opening the Kit Manager, you can safely answer no.

In the Kit Manager, browse for the .emz file you just downloaded and select Install Package:

After the upgrade completes, the kit should show up as a USB drive with the same name as your kit: /media/uploads/anbugge/mbed-drive.png

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