Answer

Users can search for specific Silicon Labs MCU part numbers to verify RoHS compliance at the Quality and Environmental page at:

http://www.silabs.com/support/quality/Pages/environmental-responsibility.aspx

Perform the following steps to search for a specific part number:

1. Click Search parts

2. Click Environmental only

3. Enter a full or partial part number in the search field

4. A table will be displayed, showing site information, environmental compliance, and shipping information

To obtain a signed statement of RoHS compliance, perform the following steps:

1. Visit the following website:

https://ops.silabs.com/wrfi/pages/PartSearch

2. Sign in using a www.silabs.com account.

3. Enter a full or partial part number and click the Next button

4. Select a specific part number from the search results.  Note that a package type with an "R" suffix indicates a reel packaging option such as tape & reel.

5. Check the requested document from the list:

Environmental & Regulatory->Product->RoHS Certificate of Compliance

6. Click the Next button

7. Click the link under the primary results to download the RoHS certificate of compliance.

See the following KB article for more information:

http://community.silabs.com/t5/8-bit-MCU-Knowledge-Base/MCU-Lead-Free-RoHS-Offering/ta-p/110823

Answer

In Simplicity IDE, add commands to the pre-build and post-build steps to execute a command before or after building the project configuration:

1. Right click on the project in the Project Explorer view and select Properties.

2. Navigate to C/C++ Build->Settings and select the Build Steps page.

3. Add your commands to the Pre-build steps Command or Post-build steps Command text box.

4. For example, to execute a python script after the build process completes, enter python <name_of_script.py>

Answer

You can easily access the kit documentation for all of the EFM8 STKs using the main launch screen of Simplicity Studio.  From this screen, click the Kit Documentation tile. 

This will cause the Kit Documentation dialog box to pop up.  In the filter field, type EFM8.  A list of available EFM8 kits will appear, with options to view kit documentation including assembly drawings, BOMs, schematics, User Guides, and Quick Start Guides.

Double-click on the desired documentation to display.

Answer

No, the minimum VIO for the CP2108 is 3.0 V.

Answer

When configured as an SPI master device, the maximum C8051 SPI clock frequency that can be realized is dependent on the system clock frequency (SYSCLK).  For most devices, the maximum SPI clock frequency is one half of the system clock, but cannot exceed 12.5 MHz.  Thus, as long as system clock frequency is 25 MHz or higher, the SPI clock can operate up to 12.5 MHz, and at system clock speeds below 25 MHz, the maximum SPI clock rate is SYSCLK/2. 

When the SPI is configured in slave mode (i.e. the SCK is driven by the master), the maximum data transfer rate is 1/10 of the slave system clock frequency for most devices, provided that the SPI clock, NSS, and data lines are driven synchronously by the master.  If these signals are asynchronous with respect to the slave device, the data transfer rate must be less than 1/10 the system clock frequency of the slave device.

For specific information on a device, consult the SPI documentation in the device data sheet or reference manual.

Answer

It is possible to detect a touch on a metal surface, but not through it.  A metal overlay would be a single sensor and could not provide multiple touch inputs.  To use an overlay as a capacitive sensing sensor, connect the overlay directly to the capsense pin.

Answer

The ?C_START symbol points to the start of the main() function in your project. This is automatically created by the Keil compiler when you compile and link your project.  For more information, see the Keil documentation: http://www.keil.com/support/docs/1296.htm.

Answer

Yes.  This process is handled by our sales team.  The process consists of filling out a form that will be sent to a team that provides first articles programmed based on the form. Once the first articles have been approved, you will be given a custom part number and can order parts. This process can take several weeks. Contact sales for more information.