Analog Devices UG-435 User manual

Evaluation Board User Guide
UG-435
One Technology Way •P. O. Box 9106 •Norwood, MA 02062-9106, U.S.A. •Tel: [phone] •Fax: [phone] •www.analog.com
Evaluation Board for the ADF4351 Fractional-N PLL Frequency Synthesizer
PLEASE SEE THE LAST PAGE FOR AN IMPORTANT
WARNING AND LEGAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Rev. 0 | Page 1 of 20
FEATURES
Self-contained board including PLL, VCO, loop filter (35 kHz),
25 MHz TCXO reference, USB interface, and voltage
regulators
Accompanying software allows control of synthesizer
functions from a PC
Choice of power supply via USB or external feeding
Typical phase noise performance of −104 dBc/Hz @ 3 kHz
offset from carrier (1 GHz output frequency)
EVALUATION KIT CONTENTS
EVAL-ADF4351EB1Z board
USB Standard-A to Mini-B cable
CD that includes
Self-installing software that allows users to control the
board and exercise all functions of the device
Electronic version of the ADF4351 data sheet
Electronic version of the UG-435 user guide
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT
PC running Windows XP or more recent version
Spectrum analyzer
Oscilloscope (optional)
DOCUMENTS NEEDED
ADF4351 data sheet
REQUIRED SOFTWARE
Analog Devices ADF435xPLL software (Version 4 or higher)
ADIsimPLL™
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This board is designed to allow the user to evaluate the perfor-
mance of the ADF4351 frequency synthesizer for phase-locked
loops (PLLs). Figure 1 shows the board, which contains the
ADF4351 integrated synthesizer and VCO, SMA connectors for
the output signal, power supplies, a reference oscillator, and an
USB connector. There is also a loop filter (35 kHz) on board.
The evaluation board is set up for a 25 MHz PFD comparison
frequency. An on-board TCXO provides the 25 MHz reference
frequency.
The package also contains Windows® software (XP or later) to
allow easy programming of the synthesizer.
EVALUATION BOARD
Figure 1. EVAL-ADF4351EB1Z
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Features .............................................................................................. 1
Evaluation Kit Contents................................................................... 1
Additional Equipment ..................................................................... 1
Documents Needed.......................................................................... 1
Required Software ............................................................................ 1
General Description ......................................................................... 1
Evaluation Board .............................................................................. 1
Revision History ............................................................................... 2
Quick Start Guide............................................................................. 3
Evaluation Board Hardware ............................................................ 4
Power Supplies .............................................................................. 4
Input Signals...................................................................................4
Loop Filter ......................................................................................4
Output Signals ...............................................................................4
Evaluation Board Setup Procedure .................................................5
Software Installation .....................................................................5
Evaluation Board Software...............................................................9
Evaluation and Test ........................................................................ 11
Evaluation Board Schematics and Artwork................................ 12
Ordering Information.................................................................... 17
Bill of Materials........................................................................... 17
REVISION HISTORY
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QUICK START GUIDE
Follow these steps to quickly evaluate the ADF4351 device:
1. Install the ADF435x software from the CD.
2. Connect the EVAL-ADF4351EB1Z to the PC and install
the necessary drivers.
3. Follow the hardware driver installation procedure.
4. Ensure that Switches SW1 and SW2 are closed.
5. Run the ADF435x software.
6. Select the USB board connection and the ADF4351 device
in the Select Device and Connection tab of the software
front panel window.
7. Click the Main Controls tab. Update all registers.
8. Connect the spectrum analyzer to J2.
9. Measure the results.

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EVALUATION BOARD HARDWARE
The EVAL-ADF4351EB1Z schematics are shown in Figure 22
to Figure 24.
POWER SUPPLIES
The EVAL-ADF4351EB1Z can be powered either from the USB
port or via dc power connectors (4 mm banana connectors).
When feeding via banana connectors, 3.75 V to 5.5 V is a
suitable feeding voltage. The power supply circuitry allows
the user to use one or two separate LDOs to feed the ADF4351
(using fewer LDOs increases the risk of spur contaminated dc
feeds). Consult the board schematic in Figure 22, Figure 23,
and Figure 24 to determine a suitable setting.
An LED, D6, indicates when USB power is available, and
another LED, D5, indicates when the ADF4351 is powered.
Switch S1 is used to power the ADF4351 from the external
dc connectors USB port and Switch S2 to power from the
USB port.
In case the USB processor or clock causes spurs on the RF
output signal, the user may feed the evaluation board via the
dc connectors and unplug the USB cable, thereby removing
power from the USB interface circuitry. There is also a
grounded frame surrounding the USB interface circuitry
to allow mounting of a shielding box.
INPUT SIGNALS
The 25 MHz TCXO from Rakon provides the necessary reference
signal. An external REFIN may be used if desired. In this case,
disable the on-board TCXO by removing L10 and R59. R9 can
be populated with 50 Ω to adjust impedance matching of the
evaluation board to the external reference source.
LOOP FILTER
The loop filter schematic is included in the board schematic on
Figure 22. The loop filter component placements are clarified in
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Loop Filter Placement
Figure 3. Evaluation Board Silkscreen
OUTPUT SIGNALS
The EVAL-ADF4351EB1Z has two SMA output connectors
(differential outputs). The device is quite sensitive to impedance
unbalance. If only one port of a differential pair is used,
terminate the other with a 50 Ω load.
The board contains 7.5 nH shunt inductors on the RF output
stages, which is optimum for a frequency range of 1 GHz to
4.4 GHz. Lower frequencies than this require larger output
stage inductors, or a 50 Ω resistor to VDD, which provides lower
output power, but wider frequency bandwidth than the
inductors. Consult the ADF4351 data sheet for more
information.
The MUXOUT signal can be monitored at the test point labeled
MUXOUT.
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EVALUATION BOARD SETUP PROCEDURE
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
The control software and USB drivers for EVAL-ADF4351EB1Z
are on the CD, which accompanies the board. If the user runs
ADF435x_Setup.msi, then the install wizard guides the user
through the install process. Simply follow the on-screen
instructions. The software and USB drivers will be installed
in the default directory called C:\Program Files\Analog
Devices\ADF435x. The software requires Microsoft’s .NET
framework version 3.5 or later to be installed on your machine.
The installer will automatically download the framework from
the Microsoft website if you do not have this installed. If you do
not have an internet connection or a slow connection on the
PC, then you can install the .NET framework directly from the
CD. Do this by double-clicking dotnetfx35.exe. Once installed,
run the ADF435x_Setup.msi again. Note that to install the
dotnetfx35.exe, you need to have Windows Installer 3.1 or later
installed.
1. Install the Analog Devices ADF435x PLL software by
double-clicking ADF435x_Setup.msi.
If you are using Windows XP, follow the instructions in
the Windows XP Software Installation Guide section (see
Figure 4 to Figure 8).
If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, follow the
instructions in the Windows Vista/7 Software Installation
Guide section (see Figure 9 to Figure 13).
Note that the software requires Microsoft Windows
Installer and Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 (or higher).
The installer connects to the Internet and downloads
Microsoft .NET Framework automatically. Alternatively,
before running ADF435x_Setup.msi, both the installer
and .NET Framework can be installed from the CD
provided.
2. Connect your SDP board (black) or USB adapter board
(green) by USB. If you are using an SDP board, the drivers
install automatically, and you are ready to run the software.
If you are using an USB adapter board on Windows XP,
follow the steps in the Windows XP Driver Installation
Guide section (see Figure 14 to Figure 17).
On Windows Vista or Windows 7, the drivers install
automatically.
Windows XP Software Installation Guide
Figure 4. Windows XP ADF435x Software Installation, Setup Wizard
1. Click Next.
Figure 5. Windows XP ADF435x Software Installation, Select Installation
Folder
2. Choose an installation directory and click Next.
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Figure 6. Windows XP ADF435x Software Installation, Confirm Installation
3. Click Next.
Figure 7. Windows XP ADF435x Software Installation, Logo Testing
4. Click Continue Anyway.
Figure 8. Windows XP ADF435x Software Installation, Installation Complete
5. Click Close.
Windows Vista/7 Software Installation Guide
Figure 9. Windows Vista/7 ADF435x Software Installation, Setup Wizard
1. Click Next.
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Figure 10. Windows Vista/7 ADF435x Software Installation, Select
Installation Folder
2. Choose an installation directory and click Next.
Figure 11. Windows Vista/7 ADF435x Software Installation, Confirm Installation
3. Click Next.
Figure 12. Windows Vista/7 ADF435x Software Installation, Start Installation
4. Click Install.
Figure 13. Windows Vista/7 ADF435x Software Installation, Installation
Complete
5. Click Close.
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Windows XP Driver Installation Guide
Figure 14. Windows XP USB Adapter Board Driver Installation, Found New
Hardware Wizard
1. Choose Yes, this time only, and click Next.
Figure 15. Windows XP USB Adapter Board Driver Installation, Installation
Options
2. Click Next.
Note that Figure 15 may list Analog Devices RFG.L Eval
Board instead of ADF4xxx USB Adapter Board.
Figure 16. Windows XP USB Adapter Board Driver Installation, Logo Testing
3. Click Continue Anyway.
Figure 17. Windows XP USB Adapter Board Driver Installation, Complete
Installation
4. Click Finish.
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EVALUATION BOARD SOFTWARE
The control software for the EVAL-ADF4351EB1Z accompanies
the EVAL-ADF4351EB1Z on a CD. To install the software, see
the Software Installation section.
To run the software, click the ADI ADF435x file on the desktop
or in the Start menu.
On the Select Device and Connection tab, choose your device,
your connection method, and click Connect.
Confirm that SDP board connected, ADF4xxx USB Adapter
Board connected, or Analog Devices RFG.L Eval Board
connected is displayed at the bottom left of the window.
Otherwise, the software has no connection to the evaluation
board.
Note that, when connecting the board, it takes about 5 sec to
10 sec for the status label to change.
Under the File menu, the current settings can be saved to and
loaded from, a text file.
Figure 18. Software Front Panel Display—Select Device and Connection
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The Main Controls tab controls the PLL settings (see Figure 19).
Use the Reference Frequency text box to set the correct
reference frequency and the reference frequency divider. The
default reference on the software window is 25 MHz.
Use the RF Settings section to control the output frequency.
You can type the desired output frequency in the RF Frequency
text box (in megahertz).
In the Registers tab, you can manually input the desired value
to be written to the registers.
In the Sweep and Hop tab, you can make the device sweep a
range of frequencies, or hop between two set frequencies.
In the Registers section at the bottom of the Main Controls
tab, the values to be written to each register are displayed. If the
background on the text box is green, the value displayed is
different from the value actually on the device. Click Write Rx
(where x = 0 to 5)to write that value to the device.
Figure 19. Software Front Panel Display—Main Controls
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