The EFR32BG29 and EFR32MG29 Development Boards by Silicon Labs are designed for wireless application testing, energy profiling, and debugging. Each board integrates an EFR32xG29 Gecko Wireless SoC mounted on a radio board compatible with the Wireless Pro Kit (BRD4002A) mainboard. The mainboard features an onboard J-Link debugger for programming and debugging via USB or Ethernet, along with a Virtual COM Port (VCOM) for serial communication. 

The Advanced Energy Monitor (AEM) provides real-time voltage and current monitoring, while the Packet Trace Interface (PTI) supports packet-level analysis for wireless debugging. The Wireless Pro Kit includes advanced tools, such as a joystick, logic analyzer, and Mini Simplicity Connector, as well as expanded AEM range and variable VMCU voltage. Developers can connect peripherals through the 20-pin EXP header or external targets, enabling flexible prototyping for sub-GHz and 2.4 GHz IoT, Bluetooth, and mesh network applications.

Features of ERF32BG29 & ERF32MG29 Development Boards

The EFR32BG29 and EFR32MG29 Development Boards feature integrated SoCs with onboard debugging, energy monitoring, and wireless analysis tools. They support USB/Ethernet connectivity, sensor integration, and flexible power configurations for IoT prototyping. Let’s go through their features in detail: 

System Architecture and Compatibility

The EFR32BG29 and EFR32MG29 Development Boards are built around the EFR32xG29 Gecko Wireless SoC, featuring 1024 kB Flash and 256 kB RAM. The BRD4412A, BRD4413A, and BRD4420A radio boards interface with the Wireless Pro Kit Mainboard (BRD4002A) for flexible prototyping and testing. The radio boards support 2.4 GHz operation using Inverted-F PCB antennas and integrate 8 Mbit low-power serial flash for over-the-air firmware upgrades.

Power Management and Radio Performance

The BRD4413A and BRD4420A radio board variants feature onboard LDO regulators with 1.5 V output for improved power stability. The BRD4420A additionally supports DC-DC Boost mode, enabling operation from a single-cell battery. It delivers up to +4 dBm output power and incorporates Secure Vault™ High for enhanced data protection in wireless applications.

Debugging, Monitoring, and Connectivity

The mainboard includes an onboard SEGGER J-Link debugger for programming and debugging via USB or Ethernet. Tools such as the Advanced Energy Monitor (AEM), Packet Trace Interface (PTI), and logic analyzer support real-time energy profiling and packet-level diagnostics. A Virtual COM Port (VCOM) provides serial communication, while breakout pads and a 20-pin EXP header allow I/O expansion and external device interfacing.

Peripheral and Software Integration

Integrated peripherals include user LEDs  and pushbuttons. Power flexibility is extended with CR2032 coin-cell battery support. Software support is provided through Simplicity Studio™, including the Energy Profiler and Network Analyzer tools for system-level monitoring and wireless performance evaluation.

Integrated Sensors and User Interfaces

The mainboard integrates several onboard peripherals for system evaluation. User LEDs and pushbuttons support input/output interaction testing, and CR2032 coin-cell battery support allows low-power or portable operation. The design supports direct evaluation of SoC I/O lines via accessible breakout pads, enhancing hardware prototyping efficiency.

Applications

The Silicon Labs EFR32BG29 and EFR32MG29 Development Boards support a range of wireless and low-power embedded applications.

BRD4412A (EFR32MG29) targets high-output power systems, enabling long-range wireless communication, smart lighting, and industrial IoT integration within building automation networks. 

BRD4413A (EFR32MG29) is optimized for battery-powered and energy-efficient devices, including portable instruments, environmental monitoring sensors, and smart metering solutions requiring extended operational life. 

BRD4420A (EFR32BG29) focuses on compact and battery-operated applications, such as wearable medical devices, asset tracking tags, smart home sensors, and Bluetooth LE–based beacons and peripherals.