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EVALUATING THE AD9736/AD9735/AD9734 DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER
Preface
This user guide describes both the hardware and software setup needed to acquire data capture from AD9736-DPG2-EBZ evaluation board to characterize AD9736 14-bit 1200 MSPS digital-to-analog converter.
This guide shows how AD9736-DPG2-EBZ works with SDP-H1 or ADS7-V2 controller board developed by Analog Devices. Documentation and software updates for using the AD9734/AD9735/AD9736 Evaluation Boards are included in a self-extracting update file. Documentation can also be downloaded individually below.
Typical Setup
Figure 1a. EVAL-AD9736 Setup with SDP-H1
Figure 1b. EVAL-AD9736 Setup with ADS7-V2
Tip: Click on any picture in this guide to open an enlarged version.
Helpful Files:
Software Needed:
Hardware Needed:
-
-
AD-DAC-FMC-ADP High-Speed DAC Evaluation Board to FMC Adaptor Board
5Vdc 2A Power Supply
PC with ACE and DPG Lite Software Applications
High-Frequency Continuous Wave Generator
Signal/Spectrum Analyzer
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(2) SMA Cables
The following are included in SDP-H1 Evaluation Kit:
The following are included in ADS7-V2 Evaluation Kit:
Quick Start Guide
Attach the evaluation board to the FMC connector of SDP-H1 or ADS7-V2 using the AD-DAC-FMC-ADP adapter board. Connect continuous wave generator for clock input to J1, and the DAC output from J2 to a signal/spectrum analyzer. Connect the evaluation board to PC via
USB and to a 5Vdc 2A power supply via banana plug cables. Connect the Refer to Figures 1a and 1b.Set clock input to
500 MHz and 6 dBm.
If using
SDP-H1, Connect to PC via
USB and to a 12Vdc wall wart.
If using
ADS7-V2, Connect to PC via
USB and to a 12V 60W AC/DC power supply. Switch the board ON using S1 beside the connector for 12V supply.
Open ACE. The board will automatically be recognized by the software. Otherwise, install the plugin for AD9736 evaluation board. Apply the configuration wizard settings shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. ACE Chip View Initial Configuration Wizard
Start DPG Lite or DPG Downloader. At the SDP-H1 or ADS7-V2 part of the software, the device part number and DCO frequency of around 250 MHz should be displayed.
In DPG Lite or DPG Downloader, from the
Add Generator Waveforms pulldown menu, select
Single Tone and apply the settings as shown in Figures 3a and 3b.Set
Data Rate to 500
MHz and
Desired Frequency to 50
MHz.
Continuing on setting up DPG Lite or DPG Downloader, set
DAC resolution to 14 bits.
Figure 3a. DPG Lite session for SDP-H1
Figure 3b. DPG Lite session for ADS7-V2
Select the Single tone from the Data Vector pulldown menu
Press the download arrow and then the play button. The FFT plots similar to Figures 4 should appear in the signal/spectrum analyzer.
Figure 4. EVAL-AD9736 FFT for Data Rate = 500 MHz, Fout = 50 MHz
Troubleshooting
This section lists items to check and practices to use when debugging any unexpected performance of a board. If unexpected results occur:
Check the supply voltage of the evaluation board. Voltage rail should be 3.3V.
Check if all (3) blue LEDs on the AD-DAC-FMC-ADP board is lit up. Reconnect the board to the FMC connector of SDP-H1 if not lit up.
Check if the SDP-H1 is being supplied properly by 12Vdc adaptor. Some LEDs on the SDP-H1 should lit up.
Power cycle both the SDP-H1/ADS7-V2 and the AD9736 evaluation board.
Check on the Spectrum Analyzer if the DAC clock inputs are properly driven. For 500MHz clock, the spectrum analyzer should detect a weak signal at 500MHz. If not detected, check properly the clock source and connections.
Disconnect and reconnect the SDP-H1 /ADS7-V2 and AD9736 evaluation board. Reopen DPG Lite software.