AMS TDC-GPX2 User manual

Eval Kit Manual
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ams Eval Kit Manual
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[v1-00] 2016-Oct-20
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TDC-GPX2
Standard Board
GPX2-EVA-KIT

TDC-GPX2 Standard Board
ams Eval Kit Manual
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[v1-00] 2016-Oct-20
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Content Guide
1Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 3
2Quick Start Guide................................................................................................................. 4
2.1 Install the Software............................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Install the Hardware: ............................................................................................................ 4
2.3 Software ............................................................................................................................... 5
3Hardware Description........................................................................................................... 6
3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 6
3.2 Input Signals lines ................................................................................................................ 7
3.2.1 CMOS Inputs........................................................................................................................ 7
3.2.2 LVDS Inputs ......................................................................................................................... 7
4Software Description ............................................................................................................ 8
4.1 Main Window, REFCLK Page.............................................................................................. 8
4.2 STOP Page .......................................................................................................................... 9
4.3 Interface Page.................................................................................................................... 10
4.4 Avoiding Configuration Conflicts ........................................................................................ 11
4.5 Register Content ................................................................................................................ 12
4.6 Graph Window ................................................................................................................... 13
5Schematics, Layers and BOM ........................................................................................... 15
6Ordering & Contact Information ......................................................................................... 23
7Copyrights & Disclaimer..................................................................................................... 24
8Revision Information .......................................................................................................... 25

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ams Eval Kit Manual
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1 Introduction
The GPX2-EVA-KIT evaluation system is designed as a platform for a quick and easy start of
evaluation of the TDC-GPX2 time-to-digital converter. The kit offers a graphical user interface for
user-friendly configuration and extensive testing of the TDC-GPX2.
For a proper use of the evaluation system, we strongly recommended to refer to the latest
TDC-GPX2 datasheet.
Features are:
PC supported system with USB communication interface
Easy to use evaluation and measurement software
Different power options, selectable by jumpers
Three reference clock sources for alternate clock options
Data collection to ASCII text files
Visualization of measurement results
Figure 1: Kit Content
Pos.
Item
Comment
1
PICOPROG V3.0
Programmer and interface
2
GPX2-EVA BOARD
Based on TDC-GPX2
3
High density DSUB15 cable
Connecting Evaluation board to programmer
4
USB cable
Connects PicoProg V3.0 to PC
Please download the latest software for the kit from
http://www.acam.de/download-center/tdc/
1
2
3
4

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2 Quick Start Guide
This section describes how to set up the GPX2-EVA-KIT, establish basic operation and make
measurements quickly.
2.1 Install the Software
It is crucial to install the software before connecting the evaluation kit to your computer. A default
driver loading of your OS may interfere with correct installation.
Download the latest software installation
package to the desired directory.
Unzip the package to the desired directory.
Open “setup.exe” from the unzipped directory.
Follow the instructions on the screen.
When connecting the PicoProg to the USB
port it will be listed first as “picoprog v2.0
unprogrammed” device.
This is true also for PicoProg V3.0.
Starting the software will download a special
firmware into the PICOPROG,
picoprog_gpx2_v005.hex or higher, and the
device will now be listed as “UNIPRO”:
Open the START Menu and open the software
from acam/GPX2/GPX2 Frontpanel
2.2 Install the Hardware:
Make sure software is installed correctly before proceeding with this step!
Connect your computer with the PicoProg V3.0 using USB cable.
Connect PicoProg V3.0 and the evaluation kit motherboard using the DB15 interfaces or
directly.

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Connect the power supply. Make sure it is set to 6 V supply voltage.
The green LED on the evaluation kit should be on.
Connect your signal source.
2.3 Software
Excecute the GPX2 Frontpanel software. The communication status should be green
The software starts with an initial configuration, that can be opened the default configuration
file config_default.cfg.
Press “Power On Reset! – “Write Config” – “Init Reset”
Press “Start Measurement”
The measurement should run and results should be displayed now.

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3 Hardware Description
3.1 Introduction
An on-board FPGA [1] manages the communication to the TDC-GPX [2]. It writes the configuration
into the chip via the SPI interface and can use the same to read data. In addition, the FPGA
manages the readout from the serial LVDS outputs of the TDC-GPX2. The SPI signals are available
via additional pads [3]. A jumper selects the supply voltage as 3.0 V, 3.3 V or 3.6 V [4]. A separate
jumper allows measuring the current into the TDC-GPX2 [5].
Figure 2: GPX2-EVA BOARD
Solder pads are prepared to apply an external oscillator. This may be used as a reference instead
of the RefClk input.
Further, solder pads are available to connect the signal lines. Here the user may solder cables
directly, apply pin connectors, or in case of CMOS signals pads for SMB connectors are prepared.
Note: The FPGA manages the SPI communication and blocks the lines. Therefore, it is not
possible to use the SPI for communication between an external device and TDC-GPX2.
1
2
3
4
5
6

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3.2 Input Signals lines
The board is prepared to connect directly CMOS input signals or LVDS signals.
Figure 3: Input section
CMOS In
CMOS GND
LVDS
P/N In
LVDS
GND
10R
CMOS
100k
LVDS
100R
N.c.
LVDS
3.2.1 CMOS Inputs
On the board there is a 10 Ohm series resistor.
3.2.2 LVDS Inputs
On the board there are 100kOhm pull-up resistors to TVDD33. The resistors interconnecting P and
N inputs are not assembled.

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4 Software Description
4.1 Main Window, REFCLK Page
The software start with the following main window:
Figure 4: GPX2 evaluation software main window
The main menu offers the typical functions to load and save configurations, to run a measurement,
to open the graph and register windows as well as a help.
The two figures on the right indicate the communication status. Both bar indicators should be green.
Figure 5: Menu selections
As a first step we recommend to load the standard configuration config_default.cfg, then press
“Power On Reset”, “Write Config” and “Init Reset”.

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The first page, “REFCLK”, allows to select the reference input as well as the definition of the LSB.
REFCLK_DIVISIONS defines the LSB at the output interface as fraction of the reference clock
period. The most convenient way is applying an LSB of 1ps by configuring REFCLK_DIVISIONS to
the picosecond value of the reference clock period.
In the middle section the user selects between CMOS and LVDS.
At the bottom, visible on all tabulators, is the numerical display of the measurement results STOP1
to STOP2. In addition, the software allows to calculate the difference between two stop results. The
select box “Math” defines the formula:
Calculation Formula:
On: [STOP1 - STOP2]
Off: [REFNO1 - REFNO2] * REFCLK_DIVISIONS + [STOP1 - STOP2]
Various software filters, sinc or median, can be applied.
4.2 STOP Page
This page is for the PIN and HIT enable selection as well as the high resolution and combined
channel settings.
Figure 6: STOP Page

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4.3 Interface Page
On this page the communication as well as the output data format is defined. In any case, on the
evaluation kit all communication is done via the on-board FPGA.
Figure 7: Kit Content

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4.4 Avoiding Configuration Conflicts
Some combinations of parameter settings can prohibit operation or cause erroneous results. Some
of these combinations are indicated with a red bar. User should avoid such configurations since the
results may be difficult to interpret or faulty at all.
Some examples of configuration conflicts:
A
Bad
Good
B
Bad
Good
C
Bad
Good
D
Bad
Good
E
The LVDS readout frequency is recommended up
to 360MHz in SDR mode only. Nevertheless 400
MHz is possible to configure and operate

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4.5 Register Content
A separate window shows the register content in the GUI and the TDC-GPX2. Separate pages
display configuration data and result data. Changing the hexadecimal values will change the
configuration in the GUI accordingly. With “Write Config” the updated configuration is downloaded
into the chip.
Figure 8: Registers Window: Configuration
Figure 9: Registers Window: Results

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4.6 Graph Window
The graphical display allows to select which data shall be displayed. The shape of the individual
curves can be modified individually. Move the mouse over the line symbol and press the right
mouse button. A menu with many options will pop up.
There are dedicated buttons for zoom to all or zoom in X or Y only. In addition, the standard
Labview zoom functions are available (see the icons on the top right).
Figure 10: Graph Window
The displayed data can be exported into a text file. The maximum is 128,000 data sets.
Figure 11: Save data menu

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The text file can then be analized with a table calcluation program.
Figure 12: Exported data format
4.7 Known Errors
Software Hang-up
oOnce in a while, typically during tests in the temperature chamber, it may happen
that the software hangs up. This is most likely to erroneous reading from the FIFO
and related in the FPGA. The error will be removed in the next revision of the
FPGA.
oWorkaround: restart the software.

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5 Schematics, Layers and BOM
Figure 13: GP30-EVA BOARD Schematics 1

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Figure 14: GP30-EVA BOARD Schematics 2

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Figure 15: GP30-EVA BOARD Schematics 3

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Figure 16: GPX2-EVA BOARD Layout: Top layer
Figure 17: GPX2-EVA BOARD Layout: Layer2

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Figure 18: GPX2-EVA BOARD Layout: Layer 2
Figure 19: GPX2-EVA BOARD Layout: Bottom layer

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Figure 20: GPX2-EVA BOARD Layout: Assembly layer