Per Vices Crimson TNG User manual

CRIMSON TNG USER MANUAL
PER VICES CORPORATION

Contents
Contents 2
ChangeLog............................................ 5
Preface .............................................. 6
Disclaimer............................................. 8
ProductFunctionality ...................................... 8
Specifications........................................... 8
Warnings ............................................. 9
1 Specifications and Interfaces 10
AbsoluteMaximumRatings................................... 10
ObservedPerformance...................................... 11
ExternalInterfaces........................................ 13
OperatingSystem ........................................ 14
Network Interface Card (NIC) Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
OpticalFibreRequirements................................... 14
Mechanical ............................................ 14
RFChain ............................................. 15
2 System Architecture 16
Overview ............................................. 16
PowerDistribution........................................ 17
Digitalboard ........................................... 17
TimeBoard............................................ 18
ReceiveBoardRadioChain................................... 20
TransmitBoardRadioChain .................................. 20
FPGADSPChains........................................ 21
Bandwidth, Sample Rates, and Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3 System Operation 23
FlowControlandStartofBurst ................................ 23
Latency .............................................. 24
ReceiveorTransmitLatency ............................... 25
RoundTripLatency .................................... 28
MinimizingLatency .................................... 28
4 Triggers 30
Global(SMA)TriggerOverview ................................ 30
Global Trigger Direction and Channel Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
GlobalTriggerSensitivity ................................. 31
TriggerGating ....................................... 31
PerChannel(U.Fl)Triggers................................... 31
2

CONTENTS 3
TriggerParameterSummary .................................. 32
TriggerParameterDescriptions................................. 32
sma_dir
........................................... 32
sma_pol
........................................... 32
edge_sample_num
........................................... 33
edge_backoff
........................................... 33
sma_mode
........................................... 33
trig_sel
........................................... 34
gating
........................................... 34
ufl_mode
........................................... 34
ufl_dir
........................................... 35
ufl_pol
........................................... 35
TriggerConfiguration ...................................... 35
Website ........................................... 35
SSH ............................................. 36
UHD............................................. 36
5 Installation and Configuration 37
HardwareSetUp......................................... 37
Crimson TNG NetworkConfiguration ............................ 38
Network Set Up: Host PC Management IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Network Set Up: Host PC SFP+ IP Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Build Per Vices libUHD Driver and Install GNU Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Network Set Up: Modifying Crimson Management IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Testing the Management IP address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Pingtest ...................................... 49
Websitetest..................................... 49
uhd_find_devices, uhd_usrp_probe tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Add New Management IP address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Removing Management IP address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Persistently Update Management IP address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
LEDSequence .......................................... 52
6 Use and Operation 53
UHD................................................ 53
WebUI .............................................. 53
SSHandCommandLine..................................... 53
ExamplePrograms........................................ 53
7Crimson TNG Device Data Format 54
DataFormat ........................................ 54
8 Troubleshooting 55

CONTENTS 4
9 Updating Crimson TNG 57
MCUFirmware.......................................... 57
Automatic MCU Update Pre-requisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Automatic MCU Update Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Manual MCU Update Pre-requisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Manual MCU Firmware Update Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
FPGAFirmware ......................................... 60
FPGAUpdatePre-requisites ............................... 60
FPGAUpdateProcedure ................................. 61
FPGASignalTap ........................................ 63
FPGA Signal Tap Pre-requisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
FPGA Signal Tap Attachment Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
10 Crimson TNG Mechanical 64

CONTENTS 5
Change Log
Date and Revision Notes
2016-05-02: Rev A: Initial Release
2016-05-18: Rev B: Populating Specifications
2016-07-12: Rev C: Update System Architecture Section and Diagrams
2016-09-22: Rev D: Update Top Level and Digital Board Architecture Diagrams
2016-10-20: Rev E: Include SMA Torque Specifications
2016-12-08: Rev F: Update Installation and Configuration Chapter
2017-06-12: Rev G: Update Networking section to include instructions on how to update Crimson
IP address
2017-07-24: Rev H: Adding RTM5 Clocking architecture, additional flow charts, troubleshooting
section.
2017-09-18: Rev I: Additional clocking information, sample rate information, and adding external
reference input limitations.
2017-11-08: Rev J: Adding additional information on jitter.
2017-12-07: Rev K: Adding flow control stub, fixing reference output section to indicate Crimson
outputs its own reference.
2018-03-01: Rev L: Updating Time board architecture section, fixing: latency tables, Management
IP address section, and table troubleshooting reference bug.
2018-05-17: Rev M: Updating UHD build instructions.
2018-09-09: Rev N: Adding Trigger Chapter.
2018-10-09: Rev P: Adding gnuradio compilation notes.
2020-03-09: Rev Q: Adding additional gnuradio compilation notes.

CONTENTS 6
Preface
Crimson TNG
Crimson TNG is a high performance, wide band, high gain, direct conversion quadrature software
defined radio transceiver and signal processing platform. It has four channels, each comprised of
independent receive and transmit blocks, capable of processing up to 325MHz of instantaneous
RF bandwidth from DC to 6.8GHz and synchronized using a JESD204B subclass 1 link to ensure
deterministic latency. Data may be processed on the device itself (there is an Altera Arria V
ST FPGA SoC on-board), or sent over low latency dual 10GB Ethernet links by connecting the
integrated SFP+ headers to a compatible 10GBASE-R network device.
Crimson TNG is intended for advanced signal processing and data collection applications.

CONTENTS 7
Congratulations!
Congratulations on your purchase of the Per Vices Crimson TNG Transceiver! This manual is
intended to provide you with useful information regarding the safe operation and use of your new
transceiver. Although it may be updated from time to time, you’ll always be able to find the latest
version of the manual on the Per Vices website1.
In building Crimson TNG, we aimed to provide advanced capabilities at the lowest possible price.
This product provides a sophisticated platform capable of advanced RF Signal processing and
includes a robust and fully integrated RF chain.
Our hope is that you will find Crimson TNG to be a useful and dependable companion in your
engineering, development, and research efforts.
We welcome your feedback so please feel free to contact us.
Copyright ©Per Vices Corporation, 2017. All rights reserved.
Contact Information:
Per Vices Corporation
2440 Dundas St West Unit 204
Toronto, Ontario
M6P 1W9
Canada
www.pervices.com
[e-mail]
1http://www.pervices.com

Obligatory Warnings
This chapter contains important safety and regulatory information. Please pay attention to the
following disclaimers, warnings, and cautions. This device is intended for engineering, research, or
science laboratory use only - it is not for open office or residential use.2
Disclaimer
This product is provided «As Is». Per Vices is under no obligation to provide updates, upgrades,
support, or maintenance of any kind. Per Vices specifically disclaims any and all warranties and
guarantees, express, implied, or otherwise, arising with respect to the use of this product including,
but not limited, to the warranty of merchantability, the warranty of fitness for a particular purpose,
and any warranty of non-infringement of the intellectual property rights of any third party. Per
Vices neither assumes nor authorizes any person to assume for it any other liability.
Use of this device is at your own risk. Per Vices shall not be liable for any damages, direct or
indirect, incurred or arising from the use of this product. In no event will Per Vices be liable for loss
of profits, loss of use, loss of data, business interruption, nor for punitive, incidental, consequential,
or special damages of any kind, however caused, and on any theory of liability, whether in contract,
strict liability, or tort (including negligence or otherwise), arising in any way out of the use of this
product, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
Product Functionality
Every effort has been made to ensure that the device you receive is fully functional - each device is
fully tested prior to shipping. Risk of damage or loss is transferred immediately upon delivery to
you - we do not generally accept returns or refunds on successfully delivered packages. That being
said, we do want to ensure your experience with Per Vices and Crimson TNG is a pleasant one
and we encourage you to contact us at [e-mail] if you have any problems.
Specifications
Every effort has been made to test and measure the validity of this equipment. However, we cannot
guarantee the accuracy of specifications, and they may change at any time.
2This device has not been tested or approved by any agency or approvals body for Electrical Safety, Electromag-
netic Compatibility, or Telecommunications at the time of distribution! Use this device at your own risk.
8

CONTENTS 9
Warnings
WARNING
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
Do not attempt to modify or touch the internals of this device.
Ensure host computer is properly grounded during operation.
Disconnect AC power during installing or removal.
WARNING
HOT SURFACE
This device may become very hot during operation; avoid contact.
Ensure adequate ventilation and that unobstructed fan inlets.
WARNING
LABORATORY USE ONLY
This device has not been approved by any agency or approvals
body for Electrical Safety, Electromagnetic Compatibility, or
Telecommunications at the time of distribution. Research use only!
ATTENTION
OBSERVE ESD PRECAUTIONS
This device contains electrostatically sensitive components: it
may be damaged by static discharges. Observe ESD precautions &
proper grounding when handling, installing, or removing device.
ATTENTION
RF TRANSMITTER
This device is capable of RF transmission on bands or frequencies
subject to regulatory oversight. Operators are responsible to ensure
use of this device meets local regulatory and legal standards, as
they may apply to you and the band of interest.
This device is intended for test and measurement use only.

1
Specifications and Interfaces
Crimson TNG is a wide band, high gain, direct conversion quadrature transceiver1and signal
processing platform. Using analogue and digital conversion, it is capable of processing signal band-
widths up to 325MHz from approximately DC to 6.8GHz. Crimson TNG is compatible with GNU
Radio and includes source code for many of its drivers and peripherals.
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Stresses beyond those listed in the Absolute Ratings Table (Table 1.1) may cause permanent damage
to the device. These ratings are stress specifications only. Functional operation of the product at
these conditions is not implied. Exposure to absolute maximum rating conditions for extended
periods of time may affect reliability and is, therefore, not recommended.
WARNING
EXCEEDING ABSOLUTE RATINGS MAY DAMAGE DEVICE AND
MAY CAUSE DANGEROUS FIRE OR ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
Exceeding these ratings may substantially damage device, and the
resulting hazards may cause serious personal injury or death.
Table 1.1: Absolute Ratings: Exposure or sustained operation at absolute ratings may permanently
damage Crimson TNG. Ensure fan inlets (located on both sides of the device) are not blocked during
operation.
Specifications Min Max Units Notes
Operating Temperature 5 40 C At fan inlet
Operating Humidity 5 100 % Non-Condensing
Storage Temperature 0 40 C
Storage Humidity 20 95 % Non-Condensing
Input RF Power 10 dBm Do not exceed.
IO and TRIG Voltage 2.6 V Do not exceed: Direct to FPGA.
External Reference 3 Vpp Do not exceed.
SMA Torque 0.6 0.7 Nm
1As Crimson TNG is capable of Digital Down/Up Conversion, superhet architectures can be implemented using
Digital Down/Up Conversion on the FPGA.
10