Freescale: TWR-SENSOR-PAK Sensor Module and Plug-Ins

Kit Overview

The Freescale's TWR-SENSOR-PAKTWR-SENSOR-PAK is a module in the Tower System that features swappable sensor modules, or plug-ins. These swappable plug-ins allow you to rapidly evaluate and compare an expanding portfolio of sensors. Using real-time sensor data and interaction with your environment, it's easy to sense your world with the TWR-SENSOR-PAK.

The TWR-SENSOR-PAKTWR-SENSOR-PAK includes the following Tower Plug-ins (TWRPI’s) that feature Freescale Sensors:

• TWRPI-MMA7660, featuring the MMA7660FC Digital Accelerometer
• TWRPI-MPL115A, featuring the MPL115A Digital Miniature Barometer
• TWRPI-MPR121, featuring the MPR121 Proximity Capacitive Touch sensor

The TWR-SENSOR-PAKTWR-SENSOR-PAK also features the TWRPI-TSS plug-in, which enables the use of the Freescale Touch Sensing Software Suite (TSS).

The TWR-SENSOR is the base Tower module. The TWR-SENSOR module utilizes the MC9S08QE96 MCU to interface directly to the sensors and to communicate with the Freescale Tower System as either a slave MCU of a master MCU, with limited capabilities. The TWR-SENSOR also utilizes the MC9S08JM60 MCU. This MCU is used to provided serial communication over USB and provide Open Source BDM functionality to the MC9S08QE.

The TWR-SENSOR module features two general purpose sockets that can be interchangeable populated with the included accelerometer and barometer plug-ins and will be utilized by the majority of future TWRPI’s. This general purpose plug-in socket can utilize I²C, SPI, analog signals, and GPIO’s to interface the plug-in’s featured device with the MC9S08QE. Additionally there are two sockets dedicated to capacitive touch capabilities. One socket is utilized by the actual touch sensing device; the second socket is used to provide access to the capacitive electrodes.

The TWR-SENSOR module includes the following on-board sensors:

• Freescale MPR03X Capacitive Touch Controller (with dedicated touch pads)
• Sensirion SHT21SHT21 Digital Humidity and Temperature Sensor
• Intersil ISL29011 Ambient Light Sensor with Proximity Detection
• Vishay TSOP36236TSOP36236 36kHz IR Receiver Module

All sensors (on-board and plug-ins) are designed to interface directly with the on-board MC9S08QE. The TWR-SENSOR MC9S08QE has full access to all sensors, including I2C, SPI, analog, and GPIOs used on the TWRPI sockets. Sensors that utilize I2C and/or analog signals (general purpose sockets only) can also interface directly to an additional Tower System MCU via the Tower System Elevator.

Key Applications: Portable Electronics and space constrained applications, battery and other low-power applications