AD9146-M5375-EBZ Evaluation Board User Guide
UG-1630
One Technology Way • P. O. Box 9106 • Norwood, MA 02062-9106, U.S.A. • Tel: 781.329.4700 • Fax: 781.461.3113 • www.analog.com
Evaluating the AD9146 Dual, 16-Bit, 1230 MSPS, TxDAC+® Digital-to-Analog
Converter
PLEASE SEE THE LAST PAGE FOR AN IMPORTANT
WARNING AND LEGAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
Rev. 0 | Page 1 of 12
FEATURES
Full featured evaluation board for the AD9146
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
5 V dc power supply
EVAL-SDP-CH1Z (SDP-H1) or AD-DPG3 (DPG3)
Spectrum analyzer
Mini USB cable
DOCUMENTS NEEDED
AD9146 data sheet
SOFTWARE NEEDED
Analysis | Control | Evaluation (ACE) software
DPGDownloaderLite software (included as an option in the
ACE download)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The AD9146-M5375-EBZ connects to a digital pattern generator
(DPG3) or a system demonstration platform (SDP-H1) to
evaluate the AD9146 device. The AD9146 controls the AD9146-
M5375-EBZ serial peripheral interface (SPI) port, which is
obtained by downloading the ACE software and AD9146 plug-in
(see the Software Setup section for additional information).
Via the SPI port, the device under test (DUT) and clock
circuitry can be programmed into any of the various operating
modes. To ease the subsystem evaluation, the AD9516-0 clock
distribution chip and the ADL5375 quadrature modulator are
designed into the AD9146-M5375-EBZ.
For full details on the AD9146, see the AD9146 data sheet,
which must be used in conjunction with this user guide and
the AD9146-M5375-EBZ evaluation board.
UG-1630 AD9146-M5375-EBZ Evaluation Board User Guide
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Features .............................................................................................. 1
Equipment Needed ........................................................................... 1
Documents Needed .......................................................................... 1
Software Needed ............................................................................... 1
General Description ......................................................................... 1
Revision History ............................................................................... 2
Evaluation Board Photograph ......................................................... 3
Evaluation Board Hardware ............................................................ 4
Power Supplies .............................................................................. 4
Hardware Setup ............................................................................ 4
Jumper Configurations .................................................................6
Output Configurations .................................................................6
Reference Clock .............................................................................7
Transmit Enable .............................................................................7
Evaluation Board Software ...............................................................8
Software Setup ...............................................................................8
Evaluation Board Software Quick Start Procedures .................. 11
Single-Tone Testing Setup ......................................................... 11
REVISION HISTORY
9/2020—Revision 0: Initial Version
UG-1630 AD9146-M5375-EBZ Evaluation Board User Guide
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EVALUATION BOARD HARDWARE
POWER SUPPLIES
The AD9146-M5375-EBZ has a 5 V dc power supply.
HARDWARE SETUP
Take the following steps to setup the AD9146-M5375-EBZ
evaluation board and associated hardware.
The AD9146-M5375-EBZ can be connected to one of two
pattern generators, the DPG3 or the SDP-H1. The two possible
setups are depicted in Figure 2 and Figure 4. The SDP-H1 is the
preferred option, in terms of cost, size, and overall performance.
The following steps assume that either the DPG3 or the SDP-H1
is setup, but not both:
1. Connect a 5 V dc power supply to the P5 and P6 banana
jacks.
2. If using the SDP-H1, connect the P1 and P2 male connectors
on the AD9146-M5375-EBZ to the AD-DAC-FMC-ADP
female connectors on the SDP-H1.
3. Connect the provided USB cable from the PC to the USB
connector on the SDP-H1.
4. Connect a 12 V dc power supply to the power supply
connector outlet on the SDP-H1.
5. Connect a clock source to the Subminiature Version A
(SMA) J1 jack (CLKIN) on the AD9146-M5375-EBZ and
set the clock to 1.8 GHz and 0 dBm. The AD9516-0 buffers
this clock and distributes the signals with proper frequencies
to the AD9146-M5375-EBZ and the DPG3.
6. To monitor the desired output of the AD9146-M5375-EBZ,
connect a spectrum analyzer to the SMA jacks, J3 (DAC1_P),
J8 (DAC2_P), or J6 (MOD_OUT) for the I channel, Q
channel, and modulator output, respectively.
7. The DPG3 connects through the P1 and P2 connectors,
and the USB cable connects to the mini USB connector,
XP2 USB, on the AD9146-M5375-EBZ.
8. Install the ACE software and AD9146 plug-in, choosing
also to install the DPG DownloaderLite application, which
is included as an option in the ACE download, before
connecting the USB cable to the PC.
AD9146-M5375-EBZ
EVALUATION
BOARD
DAC CLOCK
SOURCE
5V POWER
SUPPLY
SPECTRUM
ANALYZER
USB
DPG3
USB
CLOCK
I AND Q DATA
16
DCI
FRAME
21336-002
Figure 2. AD9146-M5375-EBZ Bench Setup
AD9146-M5375-EBZ Evaluation Board User Guide UG-1630
Rev. 0 | Page 5 of 12
21336-003
Figure 3. DPG3 to AD9146-M5375-EBZ Connection
AD9146-M5375-EBZ
EVALUATION
BOARD
FMC
SPECTRUM
ANALYZER
USB
USB
AD-DAC-
FMC-ADP
SDP-H1
2 × DATA CLOCK
I AND Q DATA
16
DCI
DAC CLOCK
SOURCE
5V POWER
SUPPLY
21336-004
Figure 4. SDP-H1 and AD9146-M5375-EBZ Bench Setup (Note that the FMC Connector Is the Interface on the Bottom of the AD-DAC-FMC-ADP.)
UG-1630 AD9146-M5375-EBZ Evaluation Board User Guide
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21336-005
SDP-H1
AD-DAC-FMC-ADP
AD9146-M5375-EBZ
Figure 5. SDP-H1, AD-DAC-FMC-ADP, and AD9146-M5375-EBZ Connection
Table 1. Jumper Configurations and SMA Connections for Viewing DAC IF and RF Outputs
Output Viewed SMA Connector Jumper Configurations
I DAC Output (P Side) JS (IOUT) JP4 and JPS Pin 2 to Pin 3 (outer pads)
Q DAC Output (P Side) J9 (QOUT) JP6 and JP7 Pin 2 to Pin 3 (outer pads)
Quadrature Modulator RF Output
1
J6 (MOD_OUT) JP4 and JP5 Pin 1 to Pin 2 (inner pads), JP6 and JP7 Pin 1 to Pin 2 (inner pads)
1
When viewing the modulator output, a local oscillator (LO) must be connected to Jl5 (LO_IN) to properly modulate the signals.
JUMPER CONFIGURATIONS
The AD9146-M5375-EBZ evaluates both the digital-to-analog
converter (DAC) inphase/quadature (I/Q) outputs as well as the
modulator RF outputs. Table 1 lists the jumper configurations and
the SMA connections needed to view either the DAC IF outputs
or the RF outputs on the spectrum analyzer.
The AD9146-M5375-EBZ has five, two pin jumpers for each
of the different power supplies on the board (see Table 2). By
default, all of these jumpers must be populated. Figure 6 shows
the pin jumper locations on the AD9146-M5375-EBZ.
Table 2. Power Supply Jumpers
Pin Jumper Power Supply
JP3 DVDD 1.5 V (DUT digital)
JP9 XCVDD 3.3 V (clock chip)
JP2 CVDD 1.5 V supply (DUT clock)
JP5 AVDD 3.3 V (DUT analog)
JP11 5 V modulator
21336-006
Figure 6. Power Supply Jumper Locations
OUTPUT CONFIGURATIONS
The AD9146-M5375-EBZ has four three pad solder jumpers
on the board, two for each DAC (IOUT1N and IOUT1P, and
IOUT2 N and IOUT2P). Use these solder jumpers, JP4 through
JP7, to choose between viewing the DAC output or the
modulator output. By default, the jumpers are configured to
view the DAC output. For the modulator, solder the inner pads.
AD9146-M5375-EBZ Evaluation Board User Guide UG-1630
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REFERENCE CLOCK
The AD9146 has an on-chip phase-locked loop (PLL) that uses
the REFCLKP and REFCLKN pins to supply the reference
clock. The AD9146-M5375-EBZ can supply the clock either
from the AD9516-0 clock chip or from an additional external
signal generator by connecting to J14. Connecting the inner
pads to JP10 and JP15 selects the option to use the AD9146 by
default, whereas soldering the outer pads chooses the external
option to drive from a sine source.
TRANSMIT ENABLE
The AD9146 has a transmit enable feature (active low) that
allows the user to control when the DACs transmit and when
the outputs are clamped. This feature can be used in the
DPGDownloader software or by forcing a voltage on the
TXENABLE pin via a test point. By default, the TXENABLE pin
is set by the DPG3. Connect JP1 horizontally, as shown in
Figure 6. To drive the TXENABLE pin manually, leave the
jumper unsoldered.
UG-1630 AD9146-M5375-EBZ Evaluation Board User Guide
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EVALUATION BOARD SOFTWARE
SOFTWARE SETUP
Before using the AD9146-M5375-EBZ, install the evaluation
software on the PC that is connected to the AD9146-M5375-
EBZ. Two different software options are available and are not
compatible with each other: ACE and DPGDownloaderLite.
When users download the latest version of ACE, the download
includes the DPGDownloaderLite (DPG Lite) option (see
Figure 7). The user must select which software option and
follow the installation and setup instructions for that option
only. The selected setup applies to all legacy high speed DAC
devices. If other high speed DAC evaluation boards are used
on the same PC, the selected software installation runs for all
devices.
Note that the legacy software is a LabVIEW SPI graphical user
interface (GUI) controller along with DPGDownloader.
ACE and DPGDownloaderLite Installation
This configuration is the recommended software setup and
does not use National Instruments Virtual Instrument Software
Architecture (VISA) drivers, which cause contention with other
vendor VISA drivers if the PC contains this software.
Take the following steps to install ACE or DPGDownloaderLite:
1. Download the ACE installer from the ACE product page.
2. Double-click the ACE installer .exe file. The Welcome to
ACE Setup window appears.
3. Click Next >. The License Agreement window appears.
4. Click I Agree to proceed.
5. Select a destination folder for installation and click Next >.
The Choose Components pane in the ACE Setup window
appears, as shown in Figure 7.
6. Select the High Speed DAC Components box to expand
its dropdown menu and select the DPG Lite and HSDAC
eval boards support through SDP drivers boxes, as
shown in Figure 7.
21336-007
Figure 7. ACE Installation Wizard
7. Click Install. The installation progress window then
appears, as shown in Figure 8.
21336-008
Figure 8. Installation Window
8. Click Next > to proceed. A window appears that displays
the completion status of the installation. Click Finish to
complete the installation for the ACE software.
AD9146-M5375-EBZ Evaluation Board User Guide UG-1630
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Plug-In Installation from ACE
After the ACE software is installed, install the plug-in for the
AD9146-M5375-EBZ. To install the plug-in, use the Plug-in
Marketplace feature in the ACE software as follows:
1. From the Start menu, click All Programs > Analog
Devices > ACE to open the main ACE software window.
2. Click Plug-in Marketplace. The Manage Plug-ins window
then appears (see Figure 9).
3. Click the Available Packages to open the dropdown menu
(see Figure 9).
4. Enter the device model number in the search bar on the
right side of the screen to search for the AD9146 for
evaluation and find the appropriate board plug-in.
5. Select the required plug-in and click Install Selected (see
Figure 10).
6. Click Close.
Note that plug-ins can also be downloaded from the ACE
software page and searching for the relevant device number, for
example, the AD9146, within the ACE software.
21336-009
Figure 9. ACE Manage Plug-Ins Window, Available Packages
21336-010
Figure 10. ACE Software, Manage Plug-ins Window, Plug-In Selection
UG-1630 AD9146-M5375-EBZ Evaluation Board User Guide
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Plug-In Installation from the Web
To install a plug-in from the ACE product page, take the
following steps:
1. Ensure that the ACE software is installed on the PC as
explained in the ACE and DPGDownloaderLite
Installation section.
2. From the ACE software page on the Analog Devices, Inc.,
website, navigate to the ACE Evaluation Board Plug-ins
pane and search for the AD9146 to evaluate.
3. Click the appropriate board plug-in, as shown in Figure 11.
The board plug-in automatically downloads to the PC.
When the download is complete, locate the downloaded
file, for example, Board.AD9783.1.2019.43200.acezip.
Note that if the browser used for the plug-in download is
Internet Explorer, the file extension of the plug-in file is
.zip. If this occurs, right-click the file and rename the file
extension to .acezip.
4. Double-click the .acezip file to automatically install the
plug-in.
5. When this plug-in installation is complete, open the ACE
software.
21336-011
Figure 11. ACE Evaluation Board Plug-Ins Web Installation
AD9146-M5375-EBZ Evaluation Board User Guide UG-1630
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EVALUATION BOARD SOFTWARE QUICK START PROCEDURES
SINGLE-TONE TESTING SETUP
Take the following steps to run a single-tone test:
1. Ensure that the DAC Software Suite, which includes the
SPI software (SPI application), is installed on the PC.
2. Open the DPGDownloader software from Start >
Programs > Analog Devices > DPG > DPGDownloader.
3. Within the DPGDownloader software, select Single Tone
from the Add Generated Waveform dropdown menu (see
Figure 13).
4. Set the Data Rate to 50.000 MHz (see Figure 13).
5. Set the Desired Frequency to 10.000 MHz (see Figure 13).
6. Clear the Unsigned Data check box (see Figure 13).
7. Check off the Generate Complex Data (I & Q) check box
(see Figure 13).
8. Select a value for the generated I waveform in the I Data
Ve c tor box (see Figure 13).
9. Select a value for the generated Q waveform in the Q Data
Ve c tor box (see Figure 13).
10. Click the Download button (
) in the lower right of the
Data Playback section (see Figure 13).
11. Click the Play button (
) to begin vector playback (see
Figure 13). The signal frequency output then appears on
the spectrum analyzer as shown in Figure 12.
21336-012
Figure 12. Signal Frequency Output on the Spectrum Analyzer
21336-013
Figure 13. DPGDownloader
UG-1630 AD9146-M5375-EBZ Evaluation Board User Guide
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NOTES
ESD Caution
ESD (electrostatic discharge) sensitive device. Charged devices and circuit boards can discharge without detection. Although this product features patented or proprietary protection
circuitry, damage may occur on devices subjected to high energy ESD. Therefore, proper ESD precautions should be taken to avoid performance degradation or loss of functionality.
Legal Terms and Conditions
By using the evaluation board discussed herein (together with any tools, components documentation or support materials, the “Evaluation Board”), you are agreeing to be bound by the terms and conditions set
forth below (“Agreement”) unless you have purchased the Evaluation Board, in which case the Analog Devices Standard Terms and Conditions of Sale shall govern. Do not use the Evaluation Board until you have
read and agreed to the Agreement. Your use of the Evaluation Board shall signify your acceptance of the Agreement. This Agreement is made by and between you (“Customer”) and Analog Devices, Inc. (“ADI”),
with its principal place of business at One Technology Way, Norwood, MA 02062, USA. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, ADI hereby grants to Customer a free, limited, personal, temporary,
non-exclusive, non-sublicensable, non-transferable license to use the Evaluation Board FOR EVALUATION PURPOSES ONLY. Customer understands and agrees that the Evaluation Board is provided for the sole and
exclusive purpose referenced above, and agrees not to use the Evaluation Board for any other purpose. Furthermore, the license granted is expressly made subject to the following additional limitations: Customer
shall not (i) rent, lease, display, sell, transfer, assign, sublicense, or distribute the Evaluation Board; and (ii) permit any Third Party to access the Evaluation Board. As used herein, the term “Third Party” includes any
entity other than ADI, Customer, their employees, affiliates and in-house consultants. The Evaluation Board is NOT sold to Customer; all rights not expressly granted herein, including ownership of the Evaluation
Board, are reserved by ADI. CONFIDENTIALITY. This Agreement and the Evaluation Board shall all be considered the confidential and proprietary information of ADI. Customer may not disclose or transfer any
portion of the Evaluation Board to any other party for any reason. Upon discontinuation of use of the Evaluation Board or termination of this Agreement, Customer agrees to promptly return the Evaluation Board to
ADI. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS. Customer may not disassemble, decompile or reverse engineer chips on the Evaluation Board. Customer shall inform ADI of any occurred damages or any modifications or
alterations it makes to the Evaluation Board, including but not limited to soldering or any other activity that affects the material content of the Evaluation Board. Modifications to the Evaluation Board must comply
with applicable law, including but not limited to the RoHS Directive. TERMINATION. ADI may terminate this Agreement at any time upon giving written notice to Customer. Customer agrees to return to ADI the
Evaluation Board at that time. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. THE EVALUATION BOARD PROVIDED HEREUNDER IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND ADI MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS OF ANY KIND WITH RESPECT
TO IT. ADI SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS, ENDORSEMENTS, GUARANTEES, OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, RELATED TO THE EVALUATION BOARD INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, TITLE, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NONINFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. IN NO EVENT WILL ADI AND ITS LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR
ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM CUSTOMER’S POSSESSION OR USE OF THE EVALUATION BOARD, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS, DELAY
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will not directly or indirectly export the Evaluation Board to another country, and that it will comply with all applicable United States federal laws and regulations relating to exports. GOVERNING LAW. This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (excluding conflict of law rules). Any legal action regarding this Agreement will be
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