How to Use XMC4700 Relax kit: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The XMC4700 Relax Kit is a development board designed by Infineon, featuring the XMC4700 microcontroller. This microcontroller is based on the ARM® Cortex®-M4 architecture, offering high performance and energy efficiency. The Relax Kit is tailored for rapid prototyping and evaluation of embedded applications, making it an excellent choice for developers working on industrial, IoT, and automation projects.

The board includes a variety of interfaces such as USB, Ethernet, and GPIOs, along with onboard peripherals like LEDs and buttons for easy interaction. Its comprehensive feature set makes it suitable for applications such as motor control, digital power conversion, and human-machine interfaces.

The XMC4700 Relax Kit provides access to the microcontroller's pins via headers. Below is a summary of the key pin functions:

1. Powering the Board:

   • Connect the board to a PC or USB power source using a micro-USB cable. Alternatively, supply 5V via the external power header.

2. Programming the Microcontroller:

   • Use the onboard J-Link Lite debugger to program the XMC4700 microcontroller. The debugger is compatible with tools like Infineon DAVE™ IDE or Keil µVision.

3. Interfacing with Peripherals:

   • Use the GPIO headers to connect external devices such as sensors, actuators, or displays. Configure the pins in software to match the desired functionality (e.g., digital I/O, PWM, ADC).

4. Using Communication Interfaces:

   • For USB communication, connect the micro-USB port to a PC.
   • For Ethernet applications, connect the Ethernet port to a network switch or router.

5. Testing Onboard Peripherals:

   • Use the onboard LEDs and buttons for basic testing and interaction. For example, toggle the LEDs using GPIO outputs or read button states using GPIO inputs.

• Voltage Levels: Ensure that external devices connected to the GPIO pins operate at 3.3V logic levels to avoid damage to the microcontroller.
• Debugging: Always disconnect external power sources when programming or debugging the board to prevent power conflicts.
• Static Protection: Handle the board with care to avoid electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage. Use an anti-static wrist strap if possible.
• Software Tools: Use Infineon DAVE™ IDE for configuring and programming the microcontroller. The IDE provides pre-configured libraries and examples for rapid development.

Although the XMC4700 Relax Kit is not directly compatible with Arduino, you can use it to communicate with an Arduino UNO via UART. Below is an example of how to send data from the XMC4700 to an Arduino UNO:

#include <DAVE.h> // Include DAVE library for XMC4700

int main(void) {
    DAVE_Init(); // Initialize DAVE™ APPs

    // UART initialization
    UART_Transmit(&UART_0, "Hello Arduino!\n", 15);

    while (1) {
        // Main loop
    }
}

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600); // Initialize UART communication at 9600 baud
}

void loop() {
  if (Serial.available() > 0) {
    String receivedData = Serial.readString(); // Read data from XMC4700
    Serial.println("Received: " + receivedData); // Print received data
  }
}

1. Board Not Powering On:

   • Ensure the micro-USB cable is properly connected to a power source.
   • Check if the external 5V supply is correctly connected (if used).

2. Unable to Program the Microcontroller:

   • Verify that the J-Link Lite debugger is properly connected.
   • Ensure the DAVE™ IDE or other programming tool is configured for the XMC4700.

3. No Response from GPIO Pins:

   • Check the pin configuration in the software. Ensure the pins are set to the correct mode (e.g., input, output).
   • Verify that external devices connected to the GPIO pins are functioning correctly.

4. Ethernet Not Working:

   • Ensure the Ethernet cable is securely connected to the board and the network switch/router.
   • Check the software configuration for the Ethernet interface.

Q: Can I use the XMC4700 Relax Kit for motor control applications?
A: Yes, the XMC4700 is well-suited for motor control applications, thanks to its high-performance Cortex®-M4 core and PWM capabilities.

Q: What software tools are compatible with the XMC4700 Relax Kit?
A: The board is compatible with Infineon DAVE™ IDE, Keil µVision, and IAR Embedded Workbench.

Q: Can I power the board using a battery?
A: Yes, you can use an external 5V battery pack connected to the power header.

Q: Is the XMC4700 Relax Kit suitable for IoT applications?
A: Absolutely. The board's Ethernet and USB interfaces, along with its powerful microcontroller, make it ideal for IoT projects.