This version is outdated by a newer approved version.
This version (29 Jun 2015 20:20) was approved by Robin Getz.The Previously approved version (11 Apr 2015 16:01) is available.
This version (29 Jun 2015 20:20) was approved by Robin Getz.The Previously approved version (11 Apr 2015 16:01) is available.This is an old revision of the document!
Table of Contents
Introduction to boards based on the AD9361
The AD-FMCOMMS[2345]-EBZ and ARRADIO cards are a high-speed analog modules designed to showcase the AD9361 or 9364, a high performance, highly integrated RF agile transceiver intended for use in RF applications, such as 3G and 4G base station applications and software defined radios. Its programmability and wideband capability make it ideal for a broad range of transceiver applications. The device combines an RF front end with a flexible mixed-signal baseband section and integrated frequency synthesizers, simplifying design-in by providing a configurable digital interface to a processor or FPGA. The AD9361 and AD9364 chip operates in the 70MHz to 6GHz range, covering most licensed and unlicensed bands. The boards, due to discrete external components may have less performance on some of the RF input/output connectors (for example - the FMCOMMS2 and specific connectors on the FMCOMMS5 are specifically tuned to 2.4GHz). The AD9361 and AD9364 both supports channel bandwidths from less than 200kHz to 56MHz by both changing sample rate, and by changing digital filters, and decimation inside the device itself.
The difference between the AD9361 (2 Rx, 2 Tx) and AD9364 (1 Rx, 1 Tx) is the number of channels. Software, HDL, pinout, etc - is all exactly the same.
| Board | AD936x Device | Simultaneous Tx / Rx | Tx (Ranges) | Rx (Ranges) | Purpose | Connector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AD-FMCOMMS2-EBZ | 1 x AD9361 | 2 x 2 | 2 (2400 - 2500 MHz) | 2 (2400 - 2500 MHz) | Best RF performance in a narrow range | FMC |
| ARRADIO | 1 x AD9361 | 2 x 2 | 2 (2400 - 2500 MHz) | 2 (2400 - 2500 MHz) | Best RF performance in a narrow range | HSMC |
| AD-FMCOMMS3-EBZ | 1 x AD9361 | 2 x 2 | 2 (70 - 6000 MHz) | 2 (70 - 6000 MHz) | Software test and waveform development | FMC |
| AD-FMCOMMS4-EBZ | 1 x AD9364 | 1 x 1 | 1 (2400 - 2500 MHz) 1 (70 - 6000 MHz) | 1 (2400 - 2500 MHz) 1 (70 - 6000 MHz) | FMC | |
| AD-FMCOMMS5-EBZ | 2 x AD9361 | 4 x 4 | 4 (2400 - 2500 MHz) 4 (70 - 6000 MHz) | 4 (2400 - 2500 MHz) 4 (70 - 6000 MHz) | MIMO test platform, can be synchronized in the RF domain | 2 x FMC |
While the AD9361 digital interface supports both LVDS and CMOS mode, all the FMCOMMS boards have been verified in LVDS mode only. Configuring the digital interface in CMOS mode is not tested nor supported on these platforms. This is due to the purposefully weak CMOS drivers that are part of the digital interface. (To keep the noise off the part as much as possible).
If you configure any board to work in CMOS mode, and it does not, this is expected. If it does work, it just means the combination of AD9361 board, AD9361, connectors, carrier layout and FPGA are barely working.
The AD-FMCOMMS2-EBZ board, in simple terms, is just the AD9361 in a 2 x 2 RF configuration. Hence the features and capabilities of the device extends to the board. The board includes a narrow tuning range balun, which is performance optimized for 2.4GHz, and provides datasheet specifications. If you want a different range, you can change baluns (footprint compatible options are available). This board has a FMC connector.
The ARRADIO board, in simple terms, is just the AD9361 in a 2 x 2 RF configuration. Hence the features and capabilities of the device extends to the board. The board includes a narrow tuning range balun, which is performance optimized for 2.4GHz, and provides datasheet specifications. If you want a different range, you can change baluns (footprint compatible options are available). This board has an HSMC connector.
The AD-FMCOMMS3-EBZ board, in simple terms, is just the AD9361 in a 2 x 2 RF configuration. Hence the features and capabilities of the device extends to the board. The board includes a wide tuning range RF transformer, which is close to datasheet specifications, but may not meet all specs over the entire 70 - 6000 MHz RF range.
The AD-FMCOMMS4-EBZ board, in simple terms, is just the AD9364 in a 1 x 1 RF configuration. Hence the features and capabilities of the device extends to the board. The board includes both a narrow and wide tuning range balun on a multiplexed input/output.
The AD-FMCOMMS5-EBZ board, in simple terms, is two AD9361s in a 4 x 4 RF configuration, which demonstrates how to synchronize multiple devices together. The features and capabilities of the device extends to the board. The board includes both a narrow and wide tuning range baluns on a different SMA connectors.
Applications
- Wireless communications demonstration and learning tool
- Remote radio head
- Software-defined radio
- Satellite modems
- Test and measurement equipment
- Radar and advanced imaging
- General purpose data acquisition
Specifications & Features
- General purpose design suitable for any application
- Software tunable across wide frequency range (70MHz to 6GHz)
- Less than 200kHz to 56MHz channel bandwidth
- Powered from single FMC connector
- Supports MIMO radio, with less than 1 sample sync on both ADC and DAC
- Includes schematics, layout, BOM, HDL, Linux drivers and application software
- Supports add on cards for spectrum specific designs (PA, LNA etc)
- SPI access for all device registers
Navigation - AD-FMCOMMS2-EBZ
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resources/eval/user-guides/ad-fmcomms2-ebz/introduction.1435602032.txt.gz · Last modified: 29 Jun 2015 20:20 by Robin Getz