Please, find the important link to build a PCB using a KW4x or MCX W7x and all concerning the radio performances, low power and radio certification (CE/FCC/IC).
“As RF behavior are dependent of PCB layout & manufacturing; PCB prototypes (based on NXP recommendations) will have to be fine-tuned to insure the expected qualified in RF is reached on the final productized platform.”
KW47 product NXP web page: https://www.nxp.com/products/KW47
MCXW72 product NXP web page: https://www.nxp.com/products/MCX-W72
Board pages:
KW47-EVK Evaluation Kit with Bluetooth® Low Energy 6.0
KW47-LOC Localization Reference Design using KW47
MCXW72-LOC Localization Board for MCX W72 Bluetooth Channel Sounding MCU
FRDM-MCXW72 Development Board for MCX W72 Wireless MCU
in addition of the product webpages please refer to KW47 Knowledge Hub
Do not use pre-production or production board prior to April 2026 KW47-LOC or MCXW72-LOC platform for Channel Sounding certification - contact NXP for further note
(Bluetooth® SiG Channel Sounding Technical Overview )
More Channel Sounding enablement Available on request to NXP
Channel Sounding Fundamentals for the KW47 and MCX W72[AN14865]
Fundamental Steps to Design a Channel Sounding Board - Creating a Simple PCB without Diversity[AN14832]
Fundamental Steps to Design a Complex Channel Sounding Board[AN14869]
Printed Channel Sounding Antennas for the KW47 and MCX W72[AN14779]
HARDWARE
KW47-MCXW72-EVK HW guideline:
KW47 Hardware Design Guide[UG10127]
MCX W72 Hardware Design Guide[UG10273]
HVQFN48 package specification: SOT619-17(D) pending release of SOT619-17(DD)
KW47-MCXW72-EVK User Manual
KW47-LOC Board User Manual[UM12114]
KW47-EVK Board User Manual[UM12094]
MCXW72-LOC Board User Manual[UM12113]
FRDM-MCXW72 User Manual[UM12222]
Minimum BoM (attached file)
DCDC management guide (AN13831) : Power Management Hardware (nxp.com) - KW45 applicable for KW47 waiting release of KW47/MCXW72
Design-In check list: see attached file at the bottom of this article
RF matching: S parameters (attached file) Available on request
How to handle coincell application on PCB:
Coin Cell Hardware Recommendations for Kinetis Bluetooth LE Applications[AN14664]
KW47-MCXW72 module can also be handled in standalone:
RF output power level:
Please note it is expected that each final PCB platform, is refine with the right RF matching and filtering, to fit your market and region mandatory certification.
For instance the +10dBm at pin level can be exceeded in some configuration. It is final PCB owner responsibility to build a system (incl. all Rf path loss) with the expected target power level fitting with Bluetooth SiG Core spec and European radio certification target. Then the Tx power has to be adjusted at application level.
UFL SMA CABLE: On EVK, to connect M10 module for RF trials a µFL to SMA cable is recommended:
CSH-SGFB-200-UFFR TE Connectivity / Linx Technologies | Mouser France
On KW47-LOC or MCXW72-LOC to connect SMA specific connector has to be populated: TE Connectivity Ltd CONSMA021.062-G. Warning to solder SMA connector: please insure the PCB edge is well cut and right smooth; if not please mill a bit with a sand paper. (risk is to get SMA core line not well soldered on PCB line)
Also for higher Harmonics the µFL is not convenient as connector is limited above 6GHz (an SMA has to be soldered to control RF losses )
RF matching component tolerance:
Please note, on NXP EVK, FRDM and LOCalization platform the RF matching components (Inductors, Capacitors) are using the HIGH tolerance Muratasets. During your RF board tuning you may need to use low tolerance Murata set to insure all RF limits are passing.
Eg: GJM1555C1H3R3CB01D is +/-0.25pF tolerance where GJM1555C1H3R3BB01 with +/-0.1pF tolerance may be preferred
Eg2: LQG15HS1N3S02D is +/-0.3nH tolerance where LQG15HS1N3B02D with +/-0.1nH tolerance may be preferred
KW47 from KW45 hardware porting :
KW47 is pin to pin compatible with KW45. However from HW point of view, some components values will have to be adjusted like RF matching components values.
Other components around KW4x are not foreseen as to change based on current silicon validation.
Please also note some new muxing is in place to get new features of KW47 on pins. For instance on KW47 a second Flex CAN is available. See attached file
RADIO
RF report:
KW47-LOC RF System Evaluation Report for Bluetooth Low Energy Applications
Radio co-existence:
Antenna:
Compact Planar Antennas for 2.4 GHz Communication Designs and Applications within NXP EVK Boards
Printed Channel Sounding Antennas for the KW47 and MCX W72[AN14779]
Return loss (S11) measurement: How to measure the return loss of your RF matching (S11) part of the RF report (AN13728)
Loadpull: Loadpull Test Report for KW47[AN14696]
SW tools for RF trials:
IoT Tool box (mobile application)
Connectivity test tool for connectivity products (part of the IoT toolbox)
DTM: How to use the HCI_bb on Kinetis family products a... - NXP Community
CRYSTAL
Recommended Crystal attached
Articles: KW47/MCX W72 32MHz & 32kHz Oscillation margins - NXP Community