diff --git a/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/Kconfig b/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/Kconfig
index ef346141e1e..8f6559c91cc 100644
--- a/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/Kconfig
+++ b/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/Kconfig
@@ -5,6 +5,16 @@
 
 if ARCH_BOARD_EFM32G8XXSTK
 
-#comment "EFM32 G8XX STK Hardware Configuration"
+comment "EFM32 G8XX STK Hardware Configuration"
+
+config EFM32G8STK_BCEN
+	bool "Enable BC_EN"
+	default n
+	---help---
+		The control MCU acts as a board controller (BC). There is a UART
+		connection between the EFM and the BC. The connection is made by
+		setting the EFM_BC_EN (PD13) line high. The EFM can then use the
+		BSP to send commands to the BC. When EFM_BC_EN is low, EFM_BC_TX
+		and EFM_BC_RX can be used by other applications.
 
 endif # ARCH_BOARD_EFM32G8XXSTK
diff --git a/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/README.txt b/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/README.txt
index e8cadd287c1..2ce5d17184e 100644
--- a/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/README.txt
+++ b/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/README.txt
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ README
   Gecko Starter Kit (EFM32-G8XX-STK). The Gecko Starter Kit features:
 
     • EFM32G890F128 MCU with 128 kB flash and 16 kB RAM
-    •   32.768 kHz crystal
-    •   32 MHz crystal
+    •   32.768 kHz crystal (LXFO)
+    •   32 MHz crystal (HXFO)
     • Advanced Energy Monitoring
     • Touch slider
     • 4x40 LCD
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ README
     • 2 pushbutton switches
     • Reset button and a switch to disconnect the battery.
     • On-board SEGGER J-Link USB emulator
-    •   ARM 20 pin JTAG/SWD standard Debug in/out connector
+    • ARM 20 pin JTAG/SWD standard Debug in/out connector
 
 STATUS
 ======
@@ -129,13 +129,13 @@ Serial Console
    ------------------------------------------
    The control MCU acts as a board controller (BC). There is a UART
    connection between the EFM and the BC. The connection is made by
-   setting the BC_EN line high. The EFM can then use the BSP to send
-   commands to the BC. When BC_EN is low, BC_TX and BC_RX can be used
-   by other applications.
+   setting the EFM_BC_EN (PD13) line high. The EFM can then use the BSP to
+   send commands to the BC. When EFM_BC_EN is low, EFM_BC_TX and EFM_BC_RX
+   can be used by other applications.
 
 Configurations
 ==============
-  Each EFM32 Gecko Starter Kit configuration is maintained in a sub-director
+  Each EFM32 Gecko Starter Kit configuration is maintained in a sub-directory
   and can be selected as follow:
 
     cd tools
@@ -154,8 +154,8 @@ Configurations
   ---
     Configures the NuttShell (nsh) located at apps/examples/nsh.  The
     Configuration enables the serial interfaces on UART0.  Support for
-    builtin applications is enabled, but in the base configuration no
-    builtin applications are selected (see NOTES below).
+    built-in applications is enabled, but in the base configuration no
+    built-in applications are selected (see NOTES below).
 
     NOTES:
 
diff --git a/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/nsh/defconfig b/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/nsh/defconfig
index 746f23db58e..2aded204150 100644
--- a/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/nsh/defconfig
+++ b/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/nsh/defconfig
@@ -119,6 +119,7 @@ CONFIG_ARMV7M_TOOLCHAIN_CODESOURCERYW=y
 # CONFIG_ARMV7M_TOOLCHAIN_GNU_EABIL is not set
 # CONFIG_ARMV7M_TOOLCHAIN_GNU_EABIW is not set
 # CONFIG_ARMV7M_TOOLCHAIN_RAISONANCE is not set
+# CONFIG_ARMV7M_ITMSYSLOG is not set
 
 #
 # EFM32 Configuration Options
@@ -224,6 +225,11 @@ CONFIG_NSH_MMCSDMINOR=0
 # Board-Specific Options
 #
 
+#
+# EFM32 G8XX STK Hardware Configuration
+#
+# CONFIG_EFM32G8STK_BCEN is not set
+
 #
 # RTOS Features
 #
diff --git a/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/src/efm32-g8xx-stk.h b/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/src/efm32-g8xx-stk.h
index 0526cdac06e..aa4876007c1 100644
--- a/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/src/efm32-g8xx-stk.h
+++ b/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/src/efm32-g8xx-stk.h
@@ -43,6 +43,22 @@
 /****************************************************************************
  * Pre-processor Definitions
  ****************************************************************************/
+ /* UART0
+  *
+  *   The control MCU acts as a board controller (BC). There is a UART
+  *   connection between the EFM and the BC. The connection is made by
+  *   setting the EFM_BC_EN (PD13) line high. The EFM can then use the BSP to
+  *   send commands to the BC. When EFM_BC_EN is low, EFM_BC_TX and EFM_BC_RX
+  *   can be used by other applications.
+  */
+
+#ifdef CONFIG_EFM32G8STK_BCEN
+#  define GPIO_BC_EN  (GPIO_OUTPUT_PUSHPULL|GPIO_OUTPUT_SET|\
+                       GPIO_PORTD|GPIO_PIN13)
+#else
+#  define GPIO_BC_EN  (GPIO_OUTPUT_PUSHPULL|GPIO_OUTPUT_CLEAR|\
+                       GPIO_PORTD|GPIO_PIN13)
+#endif
 
  /* LEDs
   *
diff --git a/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/src/efm32_boot.c b/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/src/efm32_boot.c
index bfb4022f8be..771842b0456 100644
--- a/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/src/efm32_boot.c
+++ b/configs/efm32-g8xx-stk/src/efm32_boot.c
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@
 
 #include <nuttx/config.h>
 
+#include "efm32_gpio.h"
 #include "efm32_start.h"
-
 #include "efm32-g8xx-stk.h"
 
 /****************************************************************************
@@ -59,6 +59,17 @@
 
 void efm32_boardinitialize(void)
 {
+#ifdef CONFIG_EFM32_UART0
+  /*   The control MCU acts as a board controller (BC). There is a UART
+   *   connection between the EFM and the BC. The connection is made by
+   *   setting the EFM_BC_EN (PD13) line high. The EFM can then use the BSP to
+   *   send commands to the BC. When EFM_BC_EN is low, EFM_BC_TX and EFM_BC_RX
+   *   can be used by other applications.
+   */
+
+  efm32_configgpio(GPIO_BC_EN);
+#endif
+
 #ifdef CONFIG_ARCH_LEDS
   /* Configure on-board LEDs if LED support has been selected. */