Pentek 7858 User manual

GETTING STARTED GUIDE
MODEL 7858
Dual 500 MHz A/D & 800 MHz D/A
PCIe Board
Setting the Standard for
Digital Signal Processing
Pentek, Inc.
One Park Way
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
[phone]
www.pentek.com
Manual Part Number: 820.78580
Rev: C - October 27, 2011

Manual Revision History
Date Revision Comments
12/6/10 AInitial release
10/6/11 BBefore You Begin: Description of Hardware −added new Model 78011 carrier PCB.
10/27/11 CWhat’s in the Box? −updated adapter cable.
Page 2 Pentek Model 7858 Getting Started Guide
Copyright
Copyright © 2010−2011, Pentek, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form
without written permission.
The Linux kernel is Copyright © by Linus B. Torvaids, under the terms of the General Public License (GPL).
Trademarks
Pentek, GateFlow, and ReadyFlow are registered trademarks or trademarks of Pentek, Inc.
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus B. Torvaids. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation. PCI Express and PCIe are registered trademarks of PCI−SIG. PowerPC is a registered trademark of
International Business Machines Corporation. VxWorks is a registered trademark of Wind River Systems, Inc. Xilinx and
Virtex are registered trademarks or trademarks of Xilinx, Inc.
Printed in the United States of America.

Pentek Model 7858 Getting Started Guide Page 3
Rev. C
What’s in the Box?
Your shipment of the Pentek Model 7858 should include the items on the following list.
If anything is missing or damaged, contact Pentek immediately at (201) 818−5900.
Please save the shipping container and packing material in case reshipment is required.
Quantity Part Number Description
1002.78580 Model 7858 Board (consisting of a Model 7158
mounted on a Model 7800 Series PCIe Carrier)
1002.21790 PCIe to Molex Adapter Cable
1002.71504 Terminator Board
3353.02607 26−Pin Socket for Ribbon Cable (Sync)
2 feet 378.62602 26−Conductor Ribbon Cable, 30GA 025 (Sync)
6356.00015 Shorting Plugs
1808.78580 Instruction Manual Kit (all included manuals)
The list above includes all the standard parts that are shipped with the Pentek Model
7858 board. The options for this product are described in this Getting Started Guide and
in the Pentek Model 7858 Installation Manual (included in the box).

Page 4 Pentek Model 7858 Getting Started Guide
Rev. C
Introduction
This document describes the Pentek Model 7858 Dual 500−MHz A/D, 800−MHz D/A
PCI Express®(PCIe®) board, its associated software, what to consider before installa−
tion, and installation steps.
Before You Begin: Description of Hardware
Pentek’s Model 7858 is a multichannel, high−speed data converter suitable for connec−
tion to HF or IF ports of a communications system. Using the PCI Express (PCIe) half−
length card format, it includes two A/Ds and two D/A converters, dual Virtex−5
FPGAs, and two banks of DDR2 SDRAM.
The Model 7858 consists of one Pentek Model 7158 PMC/XMC module mounted on a
Pentek Model 78010 or 78011 PMC/XMC PCI Express carrier, assembled and tested as
a single board. It is ready to plug into computer boards with PCIe bus slots.
Refer to the Pentek Model 7158 Operating Manual (800.71580) for a complete description
of the 7158 hardware operation and programming.
Before You Begin: Consider the Host Bus Characteristics
When you install the Model 7858, you will need to set jumpers and switches and con−
sider installation options based on the characteristics of the host bus. Therefore, you
will need to know the bus mode of operation and bus speed (MHz). You will also need
to know whether the XMC connector (Option 5xx) will be used.
Option 5xx for the Model 7858 provides an XMC connector that complies with the
VITA 42.0 XMC Switched Mezzanine Card Auxiliary Standard. This standard provides
two 4x 2.5 GHz data links between the XMC and the baseboard. Three options are
available for the XMC reference clock:
• Option 520 provides a 156.25−MHz reference clock.
• Option 521 provides a 125−MHz reference clock.
• Option 522 provides a 100−MHz reference clock.
To preview the jumper and switch settings you’ll need to consider, refer to Chapter 2 of
the Pentek Model 7858 Installation Manual (800.78580). The PMC module jumpers control
PCI/PCI−X bus operation, XMC Lane 0 path, and FLASH memory protect. The PCIe
carrier jumpers control power sequencer enable, XMC MVMRO, SM bus enable, and
PMC ID select. The PCIe carrier switches control PMC PCI/PCI−X modes and XMC
serial data routing.

Pentek Model 7858 Getting Started Guide Page 5
Rev. C
Before You Begin: Description of Software
Board Support Software for the Pentek Model 7858 PCIe Board
Pentek’s ReadyFlow®Board Support Packages (BSP) contain software support for the
Model 7858 PCIe board. This includes a device driver for the 7858, plus the ReadyFlow
Board Support Library data structures and routines. The following available BSPs
allow high−level programming for various workstation platforms. Refer to the User’s
Guide indicated for each platform:
• Model 4994A Option 156 ReadyFlow BSP for Linux®(816.71560)
• Model 4995A Option 156 ReadyFlow BSP for Windows®(815.71560)
• Model 4996A Option 156 ReadyFlow BSP for VxWorks®(813.71560)
Pentek’s ReadyFlow®Board Support Libraries contain a set of C−language routines
for the Model 715x. Refer to the Programmer’s Reference for the Model 7156 (801.71561).
NOTE: The Model 7156 ReadyFlow software package is used for both the Model 7156
and Model 7158 modules.
Software for the FPGAs
The FPGA is supported with a Pentek GateFlow®FPGA Design Kit. The GateFlow
Design Kit (Model 4953−158 Options −083, −084, −085, and −087) facilitates user−
installed FPGA functions using the Xilinx ISE Foundation tool suite. The FPGA Design
Kit allows you to modify, add to, or replace the default logic functions within the FPGA
with functions of your own definition.
Note that GateFlow is a very specialized software package intended for users with
experience in FPGA logic programming. This package may not be required if your
application needs are met with the Pentek−default FPGA code.
Refer to the following GateFlow software documentation: Pentek Model 4953−158−083/
084/085/087 User’s Manual: Design Kit for the Processing FPGA on the Model 7158 PMC/
XMC Dual A/D & D/A Converter (807.71580).

Page 6 Pentek Model 7858 Getting Started Guide
Rev. C
Before You Begin: Consider the Product’s Options
Timing and Synchronization
The following timing and synchronization options are available for the Pentek Model
7858 module’s A/D and D/A converters:
• Internal timing buses: Two internal timing buses provide either a single clock or two
different clock rates to the A/D and D/A signal paths. Each timing bus includes a
clock, sync, and a gate or trigger signal. An internal clock generator receives an
external sample clock from the front panel SMC connector (labeled EXT CLK). This
clock can be used directly for either the A/D or D/A sections or can be divided by a
built−in clock synthesizer circuit to provide different A/D and D/A clocks. The
external clock signal must be a sine wave of +2 dBm to +6 dBm, with a frequency
range from 10 to 200 MHz. This input is enabled using the Master Bus Control
Register RF2 & RF1 SEL bits (see the Pentek Model 7158 Operating Manual).
•Onboard crystal oscillator: Alternately, the sample clock can be sourced from an
onboard voltage−controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO). In this mode, the front panel
SMC connector (labeled EXT CLK) can be used to provide a 10 MHz reference clock
for synchronizing the internal oscillator.
•26−pin sync bus front panel connector: This connector (labeled SYNC) allows
multiple modules to be synchronized. In the slave mode, it accepts LVPECL inputs
that drive the clock, sync, PPS, and gate signals. In the master mode, the LVPECL bus
can drive the timing signals for synchronizing multiple modules. Up to four Model
7158 boards can be driven from the LVPECL bus master, supporting synchronous
sampling and sync functions across all connected boards. The mating 26−pin
connector is Pentek part # 353.02607 (ERNI # 214346). For a description of the SYNC
connector pin configuration, refer to the Pentek Model 7158 Operating Manual.

Pentek Model 7858 Getting Started Guide Page 7
Rev. C
FPGAs
The Model 7858 includes one 7158 PMC module that has two Xilinx Virtex−5 FPGAs
for signal interfaces and processing:
•Processing FPGA −Provides signal translation, processing, and time delay functions.
•PCI Interface FPGA −Provides board interfaces, including PCI−X.
Following are FPGA considerations:
•Supported Processing FPGAs: The Processing FPGA can be populated with a
variety of different FPGAs to match the specific requirements of the processing task.
Supported FPGAs include:
• Standard (Option 084) −XC5VSX50T
• Option 083 −XC5VLX155T
• Option 085 −XC5VSX95T
• Option 087 −XC5VFX100T
•Supported PCI Interface FPGAs:
• Standard (Option 090) −XC5VLX30T
• Option 093 −XC5VSX50T
•FPGA I/O through the P14 Connector (Option 104): Option −104 adds the P14 PMC
connector with 16 pairs of LVDS connections to the Processing FPGA and 16 pairs of
LVDS connections to the Interface FPGA for custom I/O. For more information, refer
to Section 2.7.4 in the Pentek Model 7858 Installation Manual.
•Heat Sinks (Option 73x): Because the 7158 series can have complex programming in
large FPGAs, the power dissipation can exceed 30W. Because of this, Pentek provides
several two−slot heat sink options with superior cooling capabilities relative to the
standard, single−slot heat sink. The following heat sink options are available.
• Option 730 −heat sink with no fan
• Option 731 −heat sink with 5V fan
• Option 732 −heat sink with 12V fan
•JTAG Expansion Assembly: The Model 9269 JTAG expansion assembly provides
several LEDs and connectors, which provide access to both FPGAs for JTAG
functions, and access to the PowerPC in the Processing FPGA for Ethernet and RS232
I/O. The Model 9269 is usually just plugged into the J1 connector on the 7158 PCB.
However it is also possible to mount the JTAG board permanently to the 7158 PCB.
Call Pentek for further details. For more information about the JTAG assembly, refer
to Section 2.5 of the Pentek Model 7158 Operating Manual (800.71580).

Page 8 Pentek Model 7858 Getting Started Guide
Rev. C
Documentation Required for Installation
•Pentek Model 7858 Installation Manual (800.78580): Describes the installation of the
Model 7858 PCIe board.
•Pentek Model 7158 Operating Manual (800.71580): Describes the installation,
operation, and programming of the Model 7158 PMC/XMC module.
•Installation and Getting Started Guide for the Pentek ReadyFlow software version
for the workstation platform you’re using (815.71560 for Windows, 816.71560 for
Linux, or 813.71560 for VxWorks)
•Pentek Model 4953−158−083/084/085/087 User’s Manual: Design Kit for the
Processing FPGA on the Model 7158 PMC/XMC Dual A/D & D/A Converter
(807.71580)

Pentek Model 7858 Getting Started Guide Page 9
Rev. C
Step 1: Unpacking and Inspecting the Unit
After unpacking, inspect the unit carefully for possible damage to connectors or com−
ponents. Refer to page 3 for a list of what should be in the box. If anything is missing
or damaged, contact Pentek immediately at (201) 818−5900. Please save the shipping
container and packing material in case reshipment is required.
Step 2: Checking the Jumper and Switch Settings
At the factory, all jumpers and switches on the Model 7858 are installed in default
positions. The default parameters selected may or may not meet your requirements.
As described above in Before You Begin: Consider the Host Bus Characteristics, the
jumpers and switches are set based on the characteristics of the host bus.
Before installing your Model 7858, review Chapter 2 in the Model 7858Installation
Manual to determine whether you need to change any settings.
NOTE: If you need to access the jumpers or switches on the PCIe carrier, you must
first remove the PMC module from the PCIe carrier, as described in Section
2.2.1 of the Model 7858 Installation Manual.
NOTE: You should only change the jumpers that are described in the Model 7858
Installation Manual −all others are reserved for factory test and setup
purposes.
Step 3: Installing the Hardware
The Model 7858 is designed to operate in personal computers that provide PCI Express
(PCIe) card slots. To install the Model 7858, follow the procedure in Section 2.8
(Installing the Model 7858 in a Personal Computer) in the Pentek Model 7858 Installation
Manual.
NOTE: When the Option 73x heat sink is mounted on the Model 7858 PCB, the overall
size of the board extends 1.3737 inches (34.89 mm) from the baseboard or
carrier (measured from the PMC standoff to the edge of the heat sink). Note
that this configuration will require a second slot in most PC chassis. For more
information, refer to Section 2.8.2 in the Pentek Model 7858 Installation Manual
(800.78580).

Page 10 Pentek Model 7858 Getting Started Guide
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Step 4: Installing the Cabling
Connect a cable for each input and output your application requires to the Model 7158
PMC front panel SMC microminiature coaxial connectors. These are labeled CH 1 and
CH 2 IN: one for each ADC input channel, and CH 1 and CH 2 OUT: one for each DAC
output channel. The other cabling you install on the Model 7158 PMC front panel
depends on how you want to handle timing and synchronization (see Timing and Syn−
chronization). Multiple modules can be synchronized via the 26−pin sync bus connec−
tors (SYNC) using a ribbon cable. The bus format is compatible with other Pentek PMC
modules and can be used with Pentek’s Clock/Sync Distribution Amplifier products
for creating larger, multi−channel systems.
NOTE: When connecting LVPECL Sync Bus pins to additional 7158 PMC modules,
the LVPECL pins on the LAST unit must be terminated. Pentek includes a
terminating board, part # 002.71504, with your shipment for this purpose.
Note that if you transfer a new configuration for the Virtex−5 FPGAs on the Model
7158, you will use a Xilinx download cable as described in Sections 2.3 and 2.4 of the
Pentek Model 4953−158−083/084/085/087 User’s Manual (807.71580).
Step 5: Installing the Software
ReadyFlow Software
Pentek's ReadyFlow Libraries are software packages designed to provide software
development tools for specific Pentek products on specific operating systems or plat−
forms. The installation procedure is different for each platform:
Linux −The installation steps can be summarized as follows:
• Installing ReadyFlow in a Linux system
• Installing WinDriver (required to run example programs)
• Building the ReadyFlow example programs
• Building the ReadyFlow board support libraries
Full procedures are in Chapter 2 of the Model 4994A Option 156 User’s Guide (816.71560).
Windows −You must install the ReadyFlow package BEFORE you attempt to boot the
Model 7158 under Windows. The installation steps can be summarized as follows:
• Installing ReadyFlow in a Windows system
• Initializing the hardware in Windows (responding to the New Hardware Wizard)
• Building the ReadyFlow example programs
• Building the ReadyFlow board support libraries
Full procedures are in Chapter 2 of the Model 4995A Option 156 User’s Guide (815.71560).

Pentek Model 7858 Getting Started Guide Page 11
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ReadyFlow Software (continued)
Windows / VxWorks −The installation steps can be summarized as follows:
• Installing ReadyFlow for VxWorks in a Windows system
• Importing the ReadyFlow projects into Wind River Workbench
• Building ReadyFlow projects in Wind River Workbench
• Building the ReadyFlow library
• Building the ReadyFlow example programs
For complete details, refer to Chapter 2 of the Model 4996A Option 156 User’s Guide
(813.71560).
GateFlow FPGA Design Kit
The following software and hardware is required to use the GateFlow FPGA Design
Kit:
•Xilinx’s Foundation ISE (Version 11.4 or later −the design kit was produced using
ISE Project Navigator Release 11.4).
•Xilinx’s Platform Cable: To connect to your development computer system you will
need one of the following two cables, purchased from Xilinx:
• Parallel Cable IV (Model DLC7, Xilinx part # HW−PC4)
• Platform Cable USB (Model DLC9, Xilinx part # HWUSB−G)
The Parallel Cable IV has two connectors at one end that both connect to your com−
puter system, one to the ECP−enabled Parallel port (you may need to check this
port setting in your BIOS) and the other, a 5V supply connection, may be inserted
between your mouse or keyboard and its PS/2 port, or simply plugged into one of
those ports if your mouse and keyboard connect via USB.

The Platform USB cable connects to a USB port on your development computer
system, and thus carries its own 5V supply connection. 

The other end of both cables terminates in a pod, which contains a shrouded con−
nector for a 14−pin, 2 mm pitch ribbon cable. The ribbon cable is included with the
shipment of both Xilinx programming cables.
To install the FPGA Design Kit for the Model 7158 module’s Processing FPGA, copy the
\GateFlow folder on the DVD−ROM to the root directory of the C: drive of the system
you’ll be working on.

Page 12 Pentek Model 7858 Getting Started Guide
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GateFlow FPGA Design Kit (continued)
The directory structure of the GateFlow DVD−ROMs mimics that of the development
system upon which the original projects were created. We recommend that you copy
the \GateFlow folder on each DVD−ROM to the root directory of the C: drive of the sys−
tem you’ll be working on, such that the original, absolute pathnames of all files in the
included project are maintained.
NOTE: Many of the files in the included project folders reference the absolute
pathnames of other files in the same project. If you copy the GateFlow project
to a different directory, then you can expect problems when the Project
Navigator interface is unable to locate the “missing” (i. e., differently−named)
files.
Full details for installing the FPGA Design Kit are provided in Chapter 1 of the Gate−
Flow user manual listed in Documentation Required for Installation.
Step 6: Using the Software
ReadyFlow Software
Chapter 3 of the User’s Guide for each ReadyFlow BSP provides instructions for using
the ReadyFlow software:
• Introduction to ReadyFlow −Provides an overview of how the software is used.
• Using ReadyFlow −Provides details about using ReadyFlow, along with a modified
code snippet from the 71561example program.
• DMA Setup and Usage −Describes the DMA engine, how to set up DMA transfers
for either a single transfer or multiple transfers, and how to set up an interrupt to
signal the end of a DMA transfer.
• ReadyFlow Documentation −Describes how the ReadyFlow package descriptions are
organized in the Programmer’s Reference Guide.
GateFlow FPGA Design Kit
Chapter 2 of the GateFlow User Manual covers procedures for implementing a project:
• Using Your GateFlow FPGA Design Kit with Xilinx’s Foundation ISE Software
• Preparing for a New FPGA Configuration
• Transferring Configuration Data to the Model 7158
1. The Model 7156 ReadyFlow software package is used for both the Model 7156 and Model 7158 modules.

Pentek Model 7858 Getting Started Guide Page 13
Rev. C
GateFlow FPGA Design Kit (continued)
The GateFlow FPGA Design Kit includes test bench files and simulation projects that
functionally simulate many operations of the Model 7158, when the FPGAs are config−
ured with their factory default configurations. Details are provided in Chapter 3 of the
GateFlow User Manual (see Documentation Required for Installation).
We recommend that before attempting any operational modifications of the default
FPGA design, you should become very familiar with the board’s performance when
operated with the default design. Once you are comfortably familiar with the default
operation, we recommend that your first project with the FPGA design kit should be to
re−compile the default code with one very simple change (the contents of the read−
only FPGA Revision registers), and re−configure the FPGA with the re−compiled con−
figuration file. (Refer to Chapter 2 of the GateFlow User Manual for details.)
If you discover that you can use the entire default design for the FPGA, and simply
need to add another function or two, the tables in Chapter 1 of the GateFlow User Man−
ual will help you to determine how much of the FPGA’s resources remain available for
your use.

Page 14 Pentek Model 7858 Getting Started Guide
Rev. C
Documentation for This Product
Any of the documentation listed below that is not supplied with the Model 7858 can be
found at www.pentek.com.
Product Documentation
Part No Type / Description
800.78580Installation Manual - Model 7858 Dual 500 MHz A/D & 800 MHz D/A PCIe Board
800.71580Operating Manual - Model 7158 Dual 500 MHz A/D & 800 MHz D/A PMC/XMC Module
801.71561 Programmer's Reference - ReadyFlow Board Support Libraries for Model 7156
807.71580 User's Guide - GateFlow FPGA Design Kit for Model 7158 Option -083, -084, -085, -087
809.7x580 Supplemental Manual - Vendor Data Sheets for Model 7x58Series Operating Manuals
813.71560 User's Guide - Model 4996A Option 156 VxWorks ReadyFlow BSP for Model 7156
815.71560 User's Guide - Model 4995A Option 156 Windows ReadyFlow BSP for Model 7156
816.71560 User's Guide - Model 4994A Option 156 Linux ReadyFlow BSP for Model 7156
NOTE: The Model 7156 ReadyFlow software package is used for both the Model 7156
and Model 7158 modules.
Other Technical Documentation
Catalogs:
• Pentek Product Catalog
•Product Selection Guide: http://www.pentek.com/selectguide/SelectGuide.cfm
• FPGA Resources Selection Guide
Handbooks:
• Critical Techniques for High−Speed A/Ds In Real−Time Systems
• High−speed Switched Serial Fabrics Improve System Design
• Putting FPGAs to Work For Software Radio
• Software Radio Handbook