Richardson RFPD RadioCarbon RFPD-RC-4450-50 User manual

RFPD-RC-4450-50 4.4-5 GHz, 2W Linear
Front-End Design Accelerator
Quick Start Guide

RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator –Quick Start Guide
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RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator –Quick Start Guide
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1Table of Contents
2 Introduction - About This Document...........................................................................................................3
3 RFPD-RC-4450-50 Module –Standalone Mode ..........................................................................................4
4 RF Bench Setup –Standalone Transmit .......................................................................................................5
5 Hardware Setup –Standalone Transmit......................................................................................................6
5.1 DC Power Supply Connection......................................................................................................................6
5.2 Digital/Control - USB/TTL Cable Connection ...............................................................................................7
5.3 RF Port Connections ....................................................................................................................................7
6 Software Setup –Standalone Transmit.......................................................................................................8
6.1 Launch RadioCarbon Software App.............................................................................................................8
oOpen the App for the RFPD-RC-4450-50 Frontend module by clicking on the icon ( .................................8
6.2 Biasing the RadioCarbon PA ......................................................................................................................10
6.3 Turn RF signal ON ......................................................................................................................................12
6.4 Transmitter Turn OFF Sequence................................................................................................................12
7 Hardware Setup –Receiver Operation......................................................................................................13
7.1 Software Setup –Receiver Operation .......................................................................................................14
7.2 Turn Receiver OFF......................................................................................................................................15
List of Figures
Figure 1: RFPD-RC-4450-50 Simplified Block Diagram............................................................................................ 3
Figure 2: RFPD-RC-4450-50 RF Frontend Module with Input/Output Interfaces. ................................................. 4
Figure 3: Suggested Configuration for RFPD-RC-4450-50 Transmit Evaluation. .................................................... 5
Figure 4: DC Voltage VIN connection...................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 5: USB to TTL/UART cable............................................................................................................................ 7
Figure 6: Serial cable connection to J15 ................................................................................................................. 7
Figure 7: Icon........................................................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 8: Main Screen ............................................................................................................................................. 9
Figure 9: COM port Highlighted.............................................................................................................................. 9
Figure 10: Auto Refresh Box Checked................................................................................................................... 10
Figure 11: Main Screen –Setting PA Bias ............................................................................................................. 10
Figure 12: PA Bias “Quick View” ........................................................................................................................... 11
RFPD-RC-4450-50_ADRV9002 EVAL PLATFORM_QSG_9/22/2021

RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator –Quick Start Guide
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Figure 13: PA Power-Down................................................................................................................................... 12
Figure 14: Idq Verification..................................................................................................................................... 13
Figure 15: Receiver Test bench Setup................................................................................................................... 14
Figure 16: Main Window - Frontend..................................................................................................................... 15
List of Tables
Table 1: PA Bias Settings for Class AB operation.................................................................................................. 11
2Introduction - About This Document
This document serves as a Quick Start Guide to assist users in powering up and performing Bench level
testing/evaluation of the “RadioCarbon” RFPD-RC-4450-50 RF Frontend module from Richardson RFPD in
standalone mode. The RFPD-RC-4450-50 Frontend module serves as a “Design Accelerator” platform targeting
RF Frontend communications applications in the 4.4 to 5 GHz frequency band. Figure 1 shows a simplified block
diagram.
RFPD-RC-4450-50
Pre-Driver
30dB Coupler
LNA with Bypass
MHz
50Ω
A
Circulator
LNA
1
2
Σ
Forward
Pi
10 dB
SPDT Switch
RMS Power Detect
In 90°
0°Iso
Hybrid In90°
0° Iso
Hybrid
50Ω
A
50Ω
A
A
50Ω
50Ω
A
##
Ω## nF
20dB Coupler
Forward Detect Forward
Reverse Detect
VSWR Detect
Driver
J13
Antenna
TX IN
J19
Tunable Band
Pass Filter
Pi
15 dB J1 MCX
Aux RX OutSplitter
25W PSAT HPA
25W PSAT HPA
3dB Hybrid Coupler
3dB Hybrid Coupler
RX Out
J17
Microcontroller
Power Amplifier
Current Controller
SoM Connector
JTAG/UART
ETHERNET
USB Micro-B
SD CARD
DISPLAY PORT
USB A 2.0
VIN
45 V
DC/DC 40V
J2
Figure 1: RFPD-RC-4450-50 Simplified Block Diagram

RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator –Quick Start Guide
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3RFPD-RC-4450-50 Module –Standalone Mode
In Standalone mode, the input RF Transmitter signal to the RFPD-RC-4450-50 module is sourced from a Signal
Generator and is applied at the 50 Ohm TX_IN Port (J19) as shown in the picture in Figure 2 below which shows
the actual RFPD-RC-4450-50 module with the various input/Output connections. Please note that Port J19 is a
MCX connector and there is a MCX to SMA adaptor included in the kit. The RF Output signal is delivered to the
50 Ohm RF_OUT port (J13), padded down with a 50 Ohm coaxial attenuator and measured with a
Signal/Spectrum Analyzer and Power Meter.
Figure 2: RFPD-RC-4450-50 RF Frontend Module with Input/Output Interfaces.

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DC Power to the module is provided via an external DC Power Supply and is applied at the DC Voltage (VIN) port
J2 ( Figure 2 above). This power supply input feeds a series of on-board switching regulators that generate the
additional voltages required for the individual circuits used (including MCU and PA Bias Controller ICs) onboard
the RFPD-RC-4450-50 module.
The RFPD-RC-4450-50 module also comes with a software GUI that allows the user to control vital tasks on the
module such as ON/ Off Power sequencing of the GaN Power Amplifier devices as well as setting optimum PA
bias voltages and other key parameters both in the TX and RX paths of the system. The GUI also allows for real
time monitoring of the PA’s Drain voltages and currents, on-board Temperature Sensor readings as well as
forward power levels in the transmitter. In future reversions we will add the ability to detect reflected power
levels from the antenna.
4RF Bench Setup –Standalone Transmit
The recommended Hardware Bench setup required to properly test the RFPD-RC-4450-50 in Stand-alone
Transmit mode is shown in Figure 3
Figure 3: Suggested Configuration for RFPD-RC-4450-50 Transmit Evaluation.

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For optimum RF performance it is recommended that high quality, low loss 50 Ohm cables, adaptors and connections are
used. All RF interfaces on the RFPD-RC-4450-50 module are 50 Ohms. The RF output Attenuator needs to have at least
30dB attenuation and be able to handle 50W CW power.
5Hardware Setup –Standalone Transmit
This section of the QSG outlines the sequence of steps required for proper Hardware connections on the RFPD-
RC-4450-50 for Transmit operation
5.1 DC Power Supply Connection
Connect the “DC Power Jumpers (provided in the KIT) at the 2-PIN Input Voltage Terminal block (J2) as shown
in Figure 4.
Figure 4: DC Voltage VIN connection
The nominal Input DC Voltage to the RC module is 45V
* IMPORTANT: Make sure the VIN power supply meets the Minimum/Maximum Voltage and Minimum Current
capacity requirements listed below:
MIN/MAX DC Power Supply requirements:
DC Input Voltage (VIN) Range: 42V (MIN) to 47V (MAX)
Recommended (nominal) VIN: 45V DC
Set up current limit on your bench power supply to 3.5A
* IMPORTANT: Keep DC Power Supply Turned OFF at this point
DC VIN
(45V)

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Figure 5: USB to TTL/UART cable
5.2 Digital/Control - USB/TTL Cable Connection
Software control is provided via a RadioCarbon software APP running on a PC so a serial USB to UART/TTL cable
needs to be connected between the PC and the module as illustrated in Figure 5.
oConnect the USB to TTL/UART Serial Cable provided (Error! Reference source not found.) between USB p
ort on the PC to the 6-pin header (J15) on the RFPD-RC-4450-50 module (Figure 6).
5.3 RF Port Connections
oMake all 50 Ohm RF Output connections between the RFPD-RC-4450-50 module at ANT Port (J13) and the test
equipment shown in Figure 3. Make sure to insert a 30 dB (or higher) Attenuator Pad capable of handling 50W
CW, from the ANT port to the test equipment.
oMake all 50 Ohm connections between the RFPD-RC-4450-50 module and the “Input” test equipment
as shown in Figure 3. Please note that TX_IN (J19) is a MCX connector and there is a MCX to SMA adaptor
included in the kit
* IMPORTANT: Keep the RF input source (signal generator) turned OFF at this point.
USB/UART
Figure 6: Serial cable connection to J15

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6Software Setup –Standalone Transmit
The RFPD-RC-4450-50 Software GUI that comes with the KIT handles the sequencing of the Gate and Drain
voltages on the GaN power devices in the Power Amplifier. It also provides the user the ability to establish and
monitor the Quiescent Idq currents of the driver device (CGHV1F006S) and both final stage devices
(CGHV1F025S) for optimum PA performance.
NOTE: This RFPD-RC-4450-50 Software App is designed to run on Windows based PC’s running a 64-Bit OS
6.1 Launch RadioCarbon Software App
oCopy the RadioCarbon Software App ZIP file from the USB thumb drive provided with the RFPD-RC-4450-
50 KIT to a folder and Extract files
oTurn ON the 45V power supply input to the module at VIN (J2).
oOpen the App for the RFPD-RC-4450-50 Frontend module by clicking on the icon (Figure 7) in the
RadioCarbon folder created.
o
Figure 7: Icon
oOnce the App is launched, the following Main Window (Figure 8) appears.

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Figure 8: Main Screen
oVerify that the appropriate COM port shows up and that the Attached Box is Checked as highlighted
below (Figure 9):
Figure 9: COM port Highlighted
Note: If COM port is not visible, check the serial USB/TTL cable, USB driver, and hardware connection on
RFPD-RC-4450-50 at the 6-pin header J15.
oCheck the “Auto refresh” box (Figure 10) on the GUI. This provides for real-time updates to the GUI every
second.