Getting Started with MCXW236B-EXP Board

2.1 Install the NXP's TestTool

Connectivity tools are a collection of applications that communicate with the NXP development boards via a serial interface. They assist in the development and testing process of either 802.15.4 MAC, Simple MAC (SMAC), Thread, Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE), Matter or Zigbee 3.0 based applications.

To communicate and enable MCXW23 BLE functionality, you will be using the NXP Test Tool from the connectivity tool suite, which is a graphical user interface (GUI)-based utility that communicates via serial interface to the NXP development boards and is made up of a set of different applications:

• Command Console is used to send various commands to an NXP board
• Firmware Loader that can download new firmware onto an NXP board removed from Test Tool versions above 12.9.2.2
• Supports Media Access Control (MAC), Thread and BLE protocols through over-the-air (OTA) updates of the board firmware

Zigbee® Gateway Graphical User Interface (ZGWUI) is an application developed to allow an easy setup of a ZigBee network and run without a need for any special knowledge.

Get Connectivity Tool Suite

2.2 Heart Rate Sensor

The .xml file used in the NXP Test Tool serves as a macro script that automates the sending of framework serial communication interface (FSCI) commands to a connected NXP device.

Here you can find an .xml file that serves as an example to set up the MCXW236B-EXP boards, the Test Tool sends each command from the XML to the microcontroller unit (MCU) using the FSCI protocol and the MCU receives the commands and processes them using its BLE stack.

For the Heart Rate Sensor demo, the commands:

• Initialize the BLE stack
• Dynamically build the generic attribute profile (GATT) database (including the Heart Rate Service and its characteristics)
• Set advertising parameters
• Start advertising
• Optionally send beats per minute (BPM) notifications

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ZigBee>
    <Settings>
        <DefaultCmds>
            <MacroScript>
                <MacroName>New Macro Script</MacroName>
				<MacroCmd>FSCI-CPUReset.Request</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATT-Init.Request</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTServer-RegisterCallback.Request</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddPrimaryServiceDeclaration.Request 0000 01 1801</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDeclarationAndValue.Request 01 2A05 02 0004 0004 00000000 00</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCccd.Request</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddPrimaryServiceDeclaration.Request 0000 01 1800</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDeclarationAndValue.Request 01 2A00 02 000B 000B 4E58505F424C455F485253 01</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDeclarationAndValue.Request 01 2A01 02 0002 0002 4003 01</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDeclarationAndValue.Request 01 2A04 02 0008 0008 0A0010006400E204 01</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddPrimaryServiceDeclaration.Request 0000 01 180D</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDeclarationAndValue.Request 01 2A37 10 0016 0002 00B4 00</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCccd.Request</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDeclarationAndValue.Request 01 2A38 02 0001 0001 01 01</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDeclarationAndValue.Request 01 2A39 08 0001 0001 00 10</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddPrimaryServiceDeclaration.Request 0000 01 180F</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDeclarationAndValue.Request 01 2A19 02 0001 0001 5A 01</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDescriptor.Request 01 2904 0007 0400AD27010100 01</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCccd.Request</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddPrimaryServiceDeclaration.Request 0000 01 180A</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDeclarationAndValue.Request 01 2A29 02 0003 0003 4E5850 01</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDeclarationAndValue.Request 01 2A24 02 0008 0008 4852532044656D6F 01</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDeclarationAndValue.Request 01 2A25 02 0007 0007 424C45534E3031 01</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDeclarationAndValue.Request 01 2A27 02 0008 0008 4D43585732330000 01</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDeclarationAndValue.Request 01 2A26 02 0005 0005 312E312E31 01</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDeclarationAndValue.Request 01 2A28 02 0005 0005 312E312E34 01</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDeclarationAndValue.Request 01 2A23 02 0008 0008 000000FEFF9F0400 01</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GATTDBDynamic-AddCharacteristicDeclarationAndValue.Request 01 2A2A 02 0004 0004 00000000 01</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GAP-SetAdvertisingParameters.Request 0800 0800 00 00 00 000000000000 07 00</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GAP-SetAdvertisingData.Request 01 03 01 01 06 02 02 0D18 07 08 4E58505F485253 00</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>Delay 1000</MacroCmd>
				<MacroCmd>GAP-StartAdvertising.Request</MacroCmd>
      </MacroScript>
    </DefaultCmds>
  </Settings>
</ZigBee>

Using the framework serial communication interface (FSCI) with an microcontroller unit (MCU) enables developers to control and test wireless protocols like Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) without writing embedded code.

The Test Tool sends FSCI commands (defined in an .xml macro file) over a serial interface (typically UART or USB) to an MCU running a compatible firmware such as ble_fsci_black_box. These commands initialize the BLE stack, build the generic attribute profile (GATT) database (including services like Heart Rate), configure advertising and send runtime data like beats per minute (BPM) values.

The MCU interprets these commands and responds accordingly, allowing a BLE client (for example, the NXP IoT Toolbox app) to connect and receive notifications. This setup is ideal for rapid prototyping, debugging and validating BLE behavior using a PC-hosted interface. Developers can use another MCU (for example, an NXP board with a MikroE connector) to send FSCI commands programmatically over universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART), enabling the creation of custom host applications that control the BLE stack externally. This setup is ideal for rapid prototyping, debugging and building network coprocessor (NCP) solutions where the BLE logic is offloaded to a dedicated wireless MCU.

3.1 Run Hearth Rate Sensor

Run the heart rate sensor using the MCXW236B-EXP board, an USB-to-serial converter and the NXP test tool.

1. Follow the steps in the Set up the boards section to connect the MCXW236B-EXP board to a USB-to-serial Converter
2. Open the NXP's TestTool
3. Connect to your board by selecting the correct COM port

4. Set the "Loaded Command Set" to BLE_1.5.3.xml
5. Load the BLE_HRS_MCXW23_Demo.xml script from the get the software version into the tool by clicking on the "Add shortcut" button and then click the load macro file button

6. Run the Macro script by right-clicking the "New Macro Script tab" and click "Run"

7. Commands will be transmitted sequentially via the communication interface and displayed in the right panel of the companion application, along with the corresponding responses received from the board

8. Open the NXP IoT Toolbox App and click the Heart Rate icon

9. Wait for the "NXP_HRS" device to show on the screen and select it

10. After the connection is established, the screen will show the following details:

11. Click the "!" icon to show extra information on the demo

Check out each of the following sections to learn about the ecosystem provided to you for flexible protyping and development. In the video below, you will be introduced to the FRDM platform, the full-featured evaluation kit (EVK) and the compatible shields for extended capabilities. In addition, you will be guided through our Application Code Hub (ACH) portal where you will be provided numerous application examples through NXP's GitHub.

4.1 FRDM, EVK and Shields

For quick prototyping platforms, we offer both the low-cost FRDM platform and the full-featured EVK.

FRDM Development Boards come with standard form factor and headers, easy access to MCU I/Os, on-board MCU-Link debugger and a USB-C cable. Our full-featured EVKs include extended I/O and interface access, extendable with WiFi and additional MCU-Link features.

There are also many compatible Click Board and/or Arduino shields. For those that are supported with an Open Cortex®-microcontroller software interface standard (CMSIS) Pack, examples may be available in the ACH. However, this is not the case if not many of them are easy to use via serial interface such as inter-integrated circuit (I2C), serial peripheral interface (SPI) or universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART), for which we provide drivers with examples in the MCUXpresso SDK.

4.2 Application Code Hub

The ACH further enhances our MCUXpresso Developer Experience by giving developers an interactive dashboard to quickly locate software. Explore the ACH  today to discover additional details and the benefits of the new interactive Application Code Hub.

Software accessible from ACH is located in NXP’s GitHub repository  where it can be easily accessed and cloned directly from that location.

4.3 Demo Walkthrough

The following demo walks you through importing a project from ACH using a system based on the FRDM platform with a motor-control shield and a low-cost LCD. Although your evaluation board may differ from this system, the following steps can be replicated and used accordingly for all supported platforms.

4.4 FreeMASTER Run-Time Debugging Tool

FreeMASTER is a user‑friendly, real‑time debug monitor and data visualization tool that enables runtime configuration and tuning of embedded software applications. It supports non‑intrusive monitoring of variables on a running system and can display multiple variables on oscilloscope‑like views, standard widgets (gauges, sliders and more) or in text form, offering simple‑to‑use data recorders.

MCUXpresso Installer provides the FreeMASTER component for easy download and update.

4.5 GUI Guider

GUI Guider's drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to utilize the many features of the light and versatile graphics library (LVGL) such as widgets, animations and styles to create a GUI with minimal to no coding. It is a user-friendly GUI development tool from NXP that enables the rapid development of high-quality displays using the open-source LVGL.

MCUxpresso Installer offers the GUI Guider component that you can easily download and update.

Additional References

• MCUXpresso SDK API Reference Manual
• MCU-Link FW
• Secure Provisioning Tool User Guide
• SPSDK Wiki

Forums

• General Support
• Wireless Connectivity Community