Analog Devices AD9161 User manual

AD9161/AD9162/AD9163/AD9164 User Guide
UG-1526
One Technology Way •P. O. Box 9106•Norwood, MA 02062-9106, U.S.A. •Tel: [phone] •Fax: [phone] •www.analog.com
Evaluating the AD9161, AD9162, AD9163, and AD9164 High Speed, RF DACs
PLEASE SEE THE LAST PAGE FOR AN IMPORTANT
WARNING AND LEGAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.Rev. 0 | Page 1 of 22
FEATURES
Full featured evaluation board for the AD9161, AD9162,
AD9163, and AD9164
ACE software for control
Direct clocking vs. on-board clocking
Showing RF modes of the DAC, including mixed mode and 2×
NRZ
NCO only mode
JESD204B interface mode
EVALUATION KIT CONTENTS
AD9162-FMC-EBZ, AD9164-FMC-EBZ, AD9162-FMCB-EBZ,
AD9164-FMCB-EBZ, AD9161-FMCC-EBZ, AD9162-FMCC-
EBZ, AD9163-FMCC-EBZ, or AD9164-FMCC-EBZ
Mini USB cable
Evaluation board DVD
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT LIST
12 V dc power supply
Dual sinusoidal clock source (5 GHz, <0.5 ps rms jitter)
Spectrum analyzer
ADS7-V2EBZ pattern generator and data capture board
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This user guide is for the AD9161, AD9162, AD9163, and AD9164
evaluation board. The evaluation board connects to an ADS7-
V2EBZ pattern generator for quick evaluation of the AD9161,
AD9162, AD9163, and AD9164, high speed, RF digital-to-analog
converters (RF DACs). The ADS7-V2EBZ automatically formats
the data and sends it to the evaluation board, which simplifies
evaluation of the device. The evaluation board runs from the
FPGA mezzanine card (FMC) power supply.
Figure 1 shows the top side of the evaluation board. The evaluation
board includes a clock buffer, the AD9508, which provides the
reference clock and SYSREF± pins to the ADS7-V2EBZ, and the
SYSREF± pins signal to the DAC.
The evaluation board can be driven by an external clock or the
on-board clock (ADF4355), as shown in Figure 2. There is a
single-pole, double throw (SPDT) switch on the board for
selecting the clock source.
AD9161, AD9162, AD9163, AND AD9164 EVALUATION BOARD PHOTOGRAPH
20160-001
Figure 1.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Features .............................................................................................. 1
Evaluation Kit Contents................................................................... 1
Recommended Equipment List ...................................................... 1
General Description......................................................................... 1
AD9161, AD9162, AD9163, and AD9164 Evaluation Board
Photograph ........................................................................................ 1
Revision History ............................................................................... 2
Evaluation Board Software.............................................................. 3
Hardware Setup................................................................................. 4
Configuration 1 ............................................................................ 4
Configuration 2 ............................................................................ 4
Configuration 3: DC Test/NCO Mode Without ADS7-
V2EBZ (Only Available for AD9162 and AD9164)................. 4
Getting Started .................................................................................. 5
Initial Setup ................................................................................... 5
DC Test/NCO Mode (Only Available for AD9162 and
AD9164) .............................................................................................6
Configure the Spectrum Analyzer ..............................................6
Configure the Evaluation Board .................................................6
Using the ADS7-V2EBZ to Play a Pattern to the Evaluation
Board...................................................................................................9
Configure Spectrum Analyzer.....................................................9
Load and Play Pattern to the ADS7-V2EBZ..............................9
Configure the Evaluation Board .............................................. 11
Using External Files ................................................................... 14
Evaluation Boards Differences ................................................. 15
Clock Network Performance Optimization............................ 16
ACE User Guide ......................................................................... 16
JESD204B Lane Mapping of the Evaluation Board ............... 18
Troubleshooting.......................................................................... 19
REVISION HISTORY
11/2019—Revision 0: Initial Version

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EVALUATION BOARD SOFTWARE
The evaluation board software provides an easy to use graphical
user interface called analysis, control, evaluation (ACE). ACE is
included on the evaluation board DVD and is available at
www.analog.com/EVAL-AD916X.
From the DVD, install the AD9161 series ACE serial peripheral
interface (SPI) programmer application. Also, from the DVD
(or from wiki.analog.com as a part of the DAC software suite),
install the DPGDownloader™. Use this program for loading
vectors into the ADS7-V2EBZ.
The ACE SPI programmer application enables full access to the
register map of the AD9161, AD9162, AD9163, and AD9164,
and has additional functionality, such as the ability to record,
load, and save macros, or register sequences, to ease
programming of the device.
The ADF4355 and AD9508 are also configured by ACE. Several
macros or register sequences are included in this user guide to
demonstrate the usefulness of the function and to set up the
device. ACE also controls the SPDT switch for selecting the
clock source.
OPTIONAL12V
SUPPLY
OPTIONAL
EXTERNAL
REFERENCE
OPTIONAL
DAC
CLOCK
CRYSTAL
OSCILLATOR
J61
TP41AND
TP64
XP2USB
USB
P1
FPGA REF
SYSREF±
J31
J32
SYSREF±
AD9508
÷4
ADF4355
HMC849A
HIGH SPEED
DAC
JESD204B
SPECTRUM
ANALYZER
ADS7-V2EBZ
20160-002
Figure 2. Block Diagram of the Evaluation Board Lab Bench Setup
FMC CONNECTOR
Y61: CRYSTAL
BOARD VERSION
J1: CRYSTAL
POWER JUMPER
TP41: 12V POWER
TP64: GND
XP2: USB
J32: DAC OUTPUT
J31: EXTERNALCLOCK
J61: ADF4355
REF CLOCK
J62: ADF4355 OUTPUT
20160-003
Figure 3. Evaluation Board: Top Side

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HARDWARE SETUP
CONFIGURATION 1
Use the external signal generator as the clock source as follows:
1. Remove the jumper on JP1.
2. Connect a low phase noise, high frequency clock source to
the J31 subminiature Version A (SMA) connector.
3. Set the output level to 0 dBm.
4. Connect a second low phase noise, high frequency clock
source (10 MHz to 250 MHz) with a 0 dBm output level
that is the reference clock of the ADF4355 to the J61 SMA
connector.
5. Synchronize the two clock sources. A unit (such as the
Rohde & Schwarz SMA100) has a convenient option for a
secondary signal source. Using this option ensures that the
two clocks are synchronized. The 10 MHz reference output
of the signal generator can also be used as the reference input.
6. Connect the spectrum analyzer to the J32 SMA connector.
7. Connect the evaluation board to the FMC connector of the
ADS7-V2EBZ.
20160-004
Figure 4. View of the Top of the ADS7-V2EBZ Pattern Generator Board
CONFIGURATION 2
Use the on-board ADF4355 as the clock source as follows:
1. Put the jumper on JP1 (on the evaluation board).
2. Connect the spectrum analyzer to the J32 SMA connector.
3. Connect the evaluation board to the FMC connector of the
ADS7-V2EBZ.
4. Connect the ac adapter to the ADS7-V2EBZ.
5. Press the power switch on the ADS7-V2EBZ to power on
both boards.
CONFIGURATION 3: DC TEST/NCO MODE
WITHOUT ADS7-V2EBZ (ONLY AVAILABLE FOR
AD9162 AND AD9164)
The AD9162 andAD9164 can work in dc test/NCO mode
without the ADS7-V2EBZ. However, the devices need to run
from an external power supply.
In this case, do not connect the evaluation board to the ADS7-
V2EBZ. Instead, complete the following steps:
1. Connect a 12 V dc supply to TP41 (red) and GND to TP64
(black) on the evaluation board. The external power
supply must have capacity for 1 A of current.
2. Put the jumper on JP1 if using the on-board ADF4355 as
the clock source. If using an external clock source, connect
a low phase noise, high frequency clock source to J31.
3. Connect the spectrum analyzer to the J32 SMA connector.

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GETTING STARTED
The software is included in the evaluation board DVD. The
installation includes an updated version of the DPGDownloader
software and the necessary files for all variants of the AD9161,
AD9162, AD9163, and AD9164 evaluation boards, including
the schematic, board layout, data sheet, and SPI programmer.
Download the DPGDownloader software online from the DAC
Software Suite.
Also install the ACEsoftware to configure the device. ACEis
the software that is used to load the registers in the AD9161,
AD9162, AD9163, and AD9164. The ACEsoftware enables full
access to the AD9161, AD9162, AD9163, and AD9164 register
map, and has several views and features that simplify its use.
Many of the ACE software features are detailed in the ACE User
Guide section.
Download this software online from the ACE software page.
The ACE software package includes the required plugins for the
AD9161, AD9162, AD9163, and AD9164 evaluation board.
INITIAL SETUP
Complete the following initial steps to get started with the
evaluation of the device:
1. Install the DPGDownloader software on the PC. Analog
Devices, Inc. recommends verifying the basic setup before
making any modifications to the evaluation board.
2. Connect the PC to the evaluation board using the XP2
mini USB connector after installing the necessary software
packages.
3. Connect the PC to the ADS7-V2EBZ using the USB
connector.
Several different configurations and scenarios are explained in
this user guide with step by step instructions. Choose the
configuration that meets the requirements. A summary of the
ACE user guide is provided in the ACE User Guide section.

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DC TEST/NCO MODE (ONLY AVAILABLE FOR AD9162 AND AD9164)
CONFIGURE THE SPECTRUM ANALYZER
Configure the spectrum analyzer as follows:
Start frequency = 50 MHz.
Stop frequency = 5 GHz.
Resolution bandwidth = 300 kHz. Use average/rms
detector setting.
Choose input attenuation as 6 dB. This value can be
adjusted later if indications are that the analyzer is causing
degradations (warnings on the analyzer itself, or third-
order products appearing on the output spectrum).
CONFIGURE THE EVALUATION BOARD
Complete the following steps to configure the evaluation board
to output a single tone at 1 GHz:
1. Ensure that the evaluation board is configured and
powered up using an external power supply according to
the Hardware Setup section.
2. Open the ACE software from Start > Programs > Analog
Devices > ACE. A window appears, as shown in Figure 5.
3. Open the evaluation board view by double clicking on the
AD9162-FMC-EBZ evaluation board icon as shown in
Figure 5.
4. For DAC Clock Source, click ADF4355-ADCLK914 as
shown in Figure 6.
5. Using the AD916x Startup Wizard on the left side of the
window, complete the following steps:
a. For Operation Mode, select DC Test Mode.
b. Set FDAC to 2.4576 GHz.
c. Select the NCO Enable box.
d. Set Frequency Shift to 1 GHz.
e. Set DC Back-Off(dB) to −0.1 dB.
f. Click the Apply button.
A 1 GHz single tone appears on the spectrum
analyzer, as shown in Figure 7.
6. Change the NCO frequency and repeat Step 3 to select a
different output frequency.
7. To avoid the start-up sequence each time, double click the
AD9162-FMC-EBZ evaluation board icon to display the
device view as shown in Figure 8. The device view is an
interactive view of the AD9161, AD9162, AD9163, or
AD9164 device that allows the user to configure more
features of the device, including the NCO and the FIR85
enable, the DAC decode mode, and the clock input tuning
parameters.
8. After entering a number or selecting an option or clicking
on a block to enable or disable it, click the Apply Changes
button in the top left corner of the window to apply the
changes to the registers of the device.
20160-005
Figure 5. ACE Software Window

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1
2
3
4
5
6
20160-006
Figure 6. AD9161, AD9162, AD9163, and AD9164 Evaluation Board View and Clock Source Selection in ACE
20160-007
Figure 7. Spectrum Analyzer Plot of DAC Output in NCO Mode (Showing a Single Tone at 1 GHz)

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20160-008
Figure 8. AD9161, AD9162, AD9163, or AD9164 Device View in ACE

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USING THE ADS7-V2EBZ TO PLAY A PATTERN TO THE EVALUATION BOARD
CONFIGURE SPECTRUM ANALYZER
Configure the spectrum analyzer as follows:
•Start frequency = 50 MHz.
•Stop frequency = 5 GHz.
•Resolution bandwidth = 300 kHz.
•Use average/rms detector setting.
•Choose input attenuation as 6 dB. This value can be
adjusted later if indications are that the analyzer is causing
degradations (warnings on the analyzer itself, or third-
order products appearing on the output spectrum).
LOAD AND PLAY PATTERN TO THE ADS7-V2EBZ
Complete the following steps to configure the ADS7-V2EBZ
board and load a single tone at 800 MHz to the on-board
FPGA:
1. Configure the hardware according to the instructions
provided in the Hardware Setup section.
2. To load and play the pattern to the ADS7-V2EBZ, open the
DPGDownloader from Start > Programs> Analog
Devices > DPG > DPGDownloader.
3. Ensure that the program detects the AD9161, AD9162,
AD9163, or AD9164 and reflects the name in the
Evaluation Board dropdown list. For this evaluation
board, JESD204B.C is the only valid port configuration
and it is selected automatically.
The Line Rate field may not immediately show a clock
frequency.
4. In the lower portion of the screen, choose Subclass 0from
the Subclass dropdown menu.
The SYNC Status may show a green check mark or a red
cross. See Figure 9.
20160-009
Figure 9. DPGDownloader Configuration for the AD9161, AD9162, AD9163, and AD9164

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5. Select Add Generated Waveform > Sing le Tone, as shown
in Figure 10. A single tone panel is added to the vector list.
6. Enter 2.458 GHz in Data Rate (or DAC clock frequency).
7. Enter 16 bits in DAC Resolution.
The AD9161 resolution is 11 bits and the AD9162,
AD9163, and AD9164resolution is 16 bits. The AD9161
can receive either 16-bit or 11-bit data because the
JESD204B data packing engine packs data in 8-bit sizes. If
11-bit data is chosen, the DPGDownloader software zero-
pads the data words to create 16-bit words for transfer to
the data framer. Because the AD9161 data path is 16 bits,
Analog Devices recommends sending 16-bit data to the
device so that true 16-bit math is computed with truncation
happening prior to the DAC decoder. Sending 16-bit data
this way can improve spurious performance as compared
to sending 11-bit data.
8. Enter 800 MHz in Desired Frequency.
9. Keep 0.0 dB in Amplitude.
10. Clear the Unsigned Data box because the AD9161,
AD9162, AD9163, and AD9164 accept only twos
complement data. Ensure that Generate Complex Data (I
& Q) is not selected.
11. From the Ve ctor dropdown list, select 1Q: Single Tone –
750.122 MHz; 0.0 dB; 0.0° (Quadrature) as the data vector.
12. Leave the other options as default values. SYNC Status
may show as the red X, as in Figure 11.
13. Click the down arrow button to download the pattern from
the computer to the ADS7-V2EBZunit.
14. Wait for the play button to become active, and then click
the play button to begin vector playback to the evaluation
board.
20160-010
Figure 10. Choose Single Tone as the Vector Type
20160-011
Figure 11. DPGDownloader: Selected Vector and Downloaded to the ADS7-V2EBZ Unit