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

Available exclusively from Richardson RFPD - 800-737-6937 (U.S. & Canada) - 630-262-6800 (International)
Or visit www.richardsonrfpd.com. See important product notice on last page of this document.
Internal Richardson Document #
RFPD-RC-4450-50 UG
Origination Date:07/2022
Rev C
Date: 11/2022
Page 1
© 2022 Richardson RFPD
RFPD-RC-4450-50 4.4-5 GHz, 2W Linear
Front-End Design Accelerator
User Guide

RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator – User Guide
Available exclusively from Richardson RFPD - 800-737-6937 (U.S. & Canada) - 630-262-6800 (International)
Or visit www.richardsonrfpd.com. See important product notice on last page of this document.
Internal Richardson Document #
RFPD-RC-4450-50 UG
Origination Date:07/2022
Rev C
Date: 11/2022
Page 2
© 2022 Richardson RFPD
1Contents
2 Introduction - About This Document...........................................................................................................5
3 RFPD-RC-4450-50 - Overview ....................................................................................................................5
4 Additional Heatsink .....................................................................................................................................6
5 RFPD-RC-4450-50 Configuration – Standalone Mode.................................................................................9
5.1 RFPD-RC-4450-50 Initial Configuration – Standalone Mode.....................................................................10
6 Standalone Transmit..................................................................................................................................12
6.1 RF Bench Setup –Standalone Transmit .....................................................................................................13
6.2 Hardware Setup – Standalone Transmit....................................................................................................14
6.2.1 DC Power Supply Connection........................................................................................................................ 14
6.2.2 Digital/Control - USB/TTL Cable Connection................................................................................................. 15
6.2.3 RF Port Connections...................................................................................................................................... 16
6.3 Software Setup – Standalone Transmit.....................................................................................................17
6.3.1 Launch RFPD-RC-4450-50 Software App....................................................................................................... 18
6.3.2 Sequencing RFPD-RC-4450-50 PA ................................................................................................................. 20
6.3.3 Biasing the RFPD-RC-4450-50 PA .................................................................................................................. 22
6.3.4 Turn RF signal ON.......................................................................................................................................... 25
6.3.5 Real Time Current and Voltage Monitoring.................................................................................................. 25
6.3.6 Real Time Temperature Sensing ................................................................................................................... 26
6.4 RF Detector Calibration and Measurements.............................................................................................27
6.5 Observation RX ..........................................................................................................................................33
6.6 RF Transmitter Performance .....................................................................................................................34
6.7 Transmitter Turn OFF Sequence................................................................................................................38
7 Hardware Setup – Receiver Operation......................................................................................................39
7.1 RX Port Selection .......................................................................................................................................40
7.2 Software Setup – Receiver Operation .......................................................................................................41
7.3 RX Frontend configuration ........................................................................................................................42
7.4 RX Tunable Bandpass filter ........................................................................................................................43
7.5 Turn ON Receiver.......................................................................................................................................45

RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator – User Guide
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Origination Date:07/2022
Rev C
Date: 11/2022
Page 3
© 2022 Richardson RFPD
7.6 Receiver Performance ...............................................................................................................................45
7.7 Turn Receiver OFF......................................................................................................................................48
8 Alternate Configurations ...........................................................................................................................48
8.1 Alterative Configurations – RF Connections for Standalone vs. BytePipe vs. Tunable Filter....................49
8.2 Alterative Configurations – Digital Hardware Control - RFPD-RC-4450-50 Micro/GUI vs. BytePipe ........52
9 Reference Information ..............................................................................................................................54
List of Figures
Figure 1: High-level RFPD-RC-4450-50 system block diagram................................................................................ 6
Figure 2: Additional heatsink with thermal tape and screws for additional heat dissipation.................................7
Figure 3: Heatsink Alignment.................................................................................................................................. 8
Figure 4: Tighten Screws......................................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 5: Final Assembly ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Figure 6: RFPD-RC-4450-50 RF Front end with Input/Output interfaces..............................................................12
Figure 7: RFPD-RC-4450-50 RF Front end: Transmit Section – Standalone Mode ............................................... 13
Figure 8: Suggested configuration for RFPD-RC-4450-50 transmit evaluation .................................................... 14
Figure 9: DC Voltage VIN connection.................................................................................................................... 15
Figure 10: ISB to TTL/UART cable.......................................................................................................................... 16
Figure 11: Serial cable connection to J15 ............................................................................................................. 16
Figure 12: Position of coupling capacitor C213 for Standalone Mode................................................................. 17
Figure 13: Software icon ....................................................................................................................................... 18
Figure 14: Main Screen ......................................................................................................................................... 19
Figure 15: COM port highlighted .......................................................................................................................... 19
Figure 16: Auto refresh box checked.................................................................................................................... 20
Figure 17: PA = OFF →Control box is Green ........................................................................................................ 21
Figure 18: PA = ON →PA Control box is Red........................................................................................................ 22
Figure 19: Main Screen – Setting PA bias ............................................................................................................. 23
Figure 20: PA bias “Quick View” ........................................................................................................................... 24
Figure 21: PA bias “Monitor” ................................................................................................................................ 25
Figure 22: Driver and final stage VGS/IDS values ................................................................................................. 26
Figure 23: RFPD-RC-4450-50 GUI temperature sensor readings.......................................................................... 27
Figure 24: Main Screen – Detector calibration..................................................................................................... 29

RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator – User Guide
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Origination Date:07/2022
Rev C
Date: 11/2022
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Figure 25: Default calibration ............................................................................................................................... 29
Figure 26: Power detector calibration.................................................................................................................. 30
Figure 27: Calibration of all 3 frequency points saved and stored....................................................................... 31
Figure 28: Forward RF detector frequency selection and power level readout .................................................. 32
Figure 29: RFPD-RC-4450-50 ACPR - BytePipe™ SoM DPD and 10 MHz LTE with 9 dB PAR ................................ 34
Figure 30: RFPD-RD-4450-50 Tx Gain (dB) vs. Frequency (MHz) – 5 Systems...................................................... 35
Figure 31: RFPD-RC-4450-50 Tx Pout (dBm) vs. Pin (dBm) 4.7 GHz – 5 devices .................................................. 35
Figure 32: RFPD-RC-4450-50 Tx Pout (dBm) vs. Pin (dBm) 4.4 GHz – 5 devices .................................................. 35
Figure 33: RFPD-RC-4450-50 Tx Pout (dBm) vs. Pin (dBm) 5.0 GHz – 5 devices .................................................. 36
Figure 34: RFPD-RC-4450-50 Tx Gain (dB) vs. Pin (dBm) 4.7 GHz – 5 devices...................................................... 36
Figure 35: RFPD-RC-4450-50 Tx Gain (dB) vs. Pin (dBm) 4.4 GHz – 5 devices...................................................... 36
Figure 36: RFPD-RC-4450-50 Tx Gain (dB) vs. Pin (dBm) 5.0 GHz - 5 devices...................................................... 37
Figure 37: RFPD-RC-4450-50 Tx Pin (dBm) vs. Efficiency (%) 4.7 GHz – 5 devices ............................................... 37
Figure 38: RFPD-RC-4450-50 Tx Pin (dBm) vs. Efficiency (%) 4.4 GHz – 5 devices ............................................... 37
Figure 39: RFPD-RC-4450-50 Tx Pin (dBm) vs. Efficiency (%) 5.0 GHz – 5 devices ............................................... 38
Figure 40: PA Power-Down................................................................................................................................... 38
Figure 41: Idq Verification..................................................................................................................................... 39
Figure 42: Receiver test bench setup ................................................................................................................... 40
Figure 43: RFPD-RC-4450-50 RF Front end: receive section – standalone mode................................................. 41
Figure 44: Main Window – Rx filter ...................................................................................................................... 42
Figure 45: GUI configuration for receiver front end............................................................................................. 43
Figure 46: Main Window – Rx filter ...................................................................................................................... 44
Figure 47: Filter tuning screen .............................................................................................................................. 44
Figure 48: Receive S-Parameters, Filter=5.88V..................................................................................................... 45
Figure 49: Receive S-Parameters, Filter=4.27V..................................................................................................... 46
Figure 50: Receive S-Parameters, Filter=4.27V, Second stage LNA Bypassed...................................................... 47
Figure 51: Receive S-Parameters, Filter=7.17V..................................................................................................... 48
Figure 52: RFPD-RC-4450-50 RF front end: receive section – Standalone Mode................................................. 50
Figure 53: C176/C213 Placement to control Tx input from BytePipe™ vs. external signal source...................... 51
Figure 54: Configuration for board in Rx “Standalone Mode” with tunable filter included ................................ 51
Figure 55: Location of all capacitors that control RF configuration ..................................................................... 52
Figure 56: Digital hardware control configurations – RFPD-RC-4450-50 Micro/GUI ........................................... 54

RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator – User Guide
Available exclusively from Richardson RFPD - 800-737-6937 (U.S. & Canada) - 630-262-6800 (International)
Or visit www.richardsonrfpd.com. See important product notice on last page of this document.
Internal Richardson Document #
RFPD-RC-4450-50 UG
Origination Date:07/2022
Rev C
Date: 11/2022
Page 5
© 2022 Richardson RFPD
List of Tables
Table 1: GUI Initial Settings................................................................................................................................... 10
Table 2: RF Signal Path Hardware Configuration – Standalone Mode/Filter not Bypassed ......................... 10
Table 3: Digital Control Hardware Configurations - RFPD-RC-4450-50 Micro Control......................................... 10
Table 4: RFPD-RC-4450-50 IO Availability............................................................................................................. 11
Table 5: PA Bias Settings for Class AB operation .................................................................................................. 23
Table 6: RF Signal Path Hardware Configuration.............................................................................................. 49
Table 7: Digital Control Hardware Configurations - RFPD-RC-4450-50 Micro/GUI vs. BytePipe ......................... 53
2Introduction - About This Document
This document serves as a User Guide to assist in powering up and performing bench level testing/evaluation
of the “RadioCarbon” RFPD-RC-4450-50 RF Frontend from Richardson RFPD. The RFPD-RC-4450-50 Frontend
serves as a “Design Accelerator” platform, targeting RF Frontend applications in the 4.4 to 5 GHz frequency
band.The design was intended for lab use only and the user may need to attach the included heatsink if they
plan on using it for non-pulsed high average power applications over an extended time.
3RFPD-RC-4450-50 - Overview
A high-level systems block diagram of the RFPD-RC-4450-50 Frontend is shown in Figure 1and a picture of the
actual board with its input/outputs labeled is shown in Figure 6.As stated, it operates from 4.4 – 5.0 GHz but
can be modified for other frequency bands, with a change of the PA/Driver match. All design files are available
under license. The platform features a single channel transmitter and receiver, including a circulator, RMS
Power detector, and digitally tunable filter. Users are welcome to add an external filter to optimize it for specific
applications. Transmit circuitry includes a high performance 2 stage Wolfspeed GaN on SiC power amplifier
implemented in a balanced configuration. An onboard bias generation and protection IC provides additional
levels of configuration. Receive circuitry includes an LNA, bypassable second stage LNA (GUI controlled), and
bypassable tunable filter (bypass done through hardware configuration setup). The included software GUI
provides for additional levels of configuration.

RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator – User Guide
Available exclusively from Richardson RFPD - 800-737-6937 (U.S. & Canada) - 630-262-6800 (International)
Or visit www.richardsonrfpd.com. See important product notice on last page of this document.
Internal Richardson Document #
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Origination Date:07/2022
Rev C
Date: 11/2022
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RFPD-RC-4450-50
GRF5511
Pre-Driver
X4C50F1-30S
30dB Coupler
GRF4142
LNA with Bypass
4400 – 5000 MHz
50Ω
A
SKYFR-002061
Circulator
GRF2093
0.65dB NF LNA
1
2
Σ
PD4859J5050S2HF
Forward
“Pi”
10 dB
ADRF5132
SPDT Switch
RMS Power Detect
In 90°
0°Iso
Hybrid
In90°
0° Iso
Hybrid
CGHV1F025S
CGHV1F025S
50Ω
A
50Ω
A
X4C45J1-03G
A
50Ω
A
##
Ω
##
nF
DC4759J5020AHF
20dB Coupler
Forward Detect
LTC5583
Forward
Reverse Detect
VSWR Detect
CGHV1F006S
Driver
J13
(ANT)
SMA
J19 MCX
TX IN
HMC892A
C213
5.6 pF
C176
Open
J20 SMPM
TX IN
SoM
“Pi”
15 dB
J1 MCX
Aux RX Out
C210
5.6 pF
C209
Open
J22 SMPM
RX2A
(RX Port 2 of SoM)
Splitter
25W PSAT HPA
25W PSAT HPA
3dB Hybrid Coupler
X4C45J1-03G
3dB Hybrid Coupler
J17 MCX
RX TunFil Out
C212
5.6 pF
C211
Open
J16 SMPM
RX1A
SoM RX TunFil Out
C75
5.6 pF
J4 MCX
RX Out
C76
Open
C203
Open
J3 SMPM
RX1B
SoM
ADUCM3027
Microcontroller
AD7293BCPZ
Power Amplifier
Current Controller
WR-40SB-VFH30-N1
SoM Connector
BIAS CTL
6 pin Conn
WR-120S-VFH30-N1
SoM Connector
JTAG/UART
ETHERNET
USB Micro-B
SD CARD
DISPLAY PORT
USB A 2.0
VIN
60-42 V
LT3864
DC/DC
40V
J15 UART SPI J21
J11
0Ω
0Ω
Open
Open
Forward Detect
Reverse Detect
VSWR Detect
Open
Open
Open
0Ω
0Ω
0Ω
R175
R193
R192
R174
R219
R189
R207
R220
R208
R221
J2
0Ω
Open
R217
R216
0Ω
0Ω
Open
Open
Open
0Ω
R114
R163
R29
R148
R118
R172
50Ω
Figure 1: High-level RFPD-RC-4450-50 system block diagram
4Additional Heatsink
When using the RFPD-RC-4450-50 for applications where the PA is likely to exceed its maximum temperature
(for example CW signals with an average input power higher than 3dBm), an additional heatsink (with thermal
tape applied) and 4 screws shown in Figure 2have been included in the kit.

RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator – User Guide
Available exclusively from Richardson RFPD - 800-737-6937 (U.S. & Canada) - 630-262-6800 (International)
Or visit www.richardsonrfpd.com. See important product notice on last page of this document.
Internal Richardson Document #
RFPD-RC-4450-50 UG
Origination Date:07/2022
Rev C
Date: 11/2022
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© 2022 Richardson RFPD
Figure 2: Additional heatsink with thermal tape and screws for additional heat dissipation
The additional heatsink is attached directly to the RFPD-RC-4450-50. To attach, remove the blue tape from the
thermal tape, insert the 4 screws into the holes in the heatsink, and stand on end. Align PCB assembly on end
and slide close enough to heatsink to start threading screws into PCB assembly standoffs as shown in Figure 3.

RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator – User Guide
Available exclusively from Richardson RFPD - 800-737-6937 (U.S. & Canada) - 630-262-6800 (International)
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Internal Richardson Document #
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Origination Date:07/2022
Rev C
Date: 11/2022
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Figure 3: Heatsink Alignment
Tighten screws equally and PCB assembly will pull towards heatsink, as shown in Figure 4. Once screws are
tightened, press PCB assembly firmly down onto heatsink for proper adhesion of thermal tape.
Figure 4: Tighten Screws

RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator – User Guide
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Rev C
Date: 11/2022
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The final assembly should look like Figure 5.
Figure 5: Final Assembly
5RFPD-RC-4450-50 Configuration – Standalone Mode
As illustrated, this RF Frontend was designed with the flexibility to accommodate multiple configurations, some
of which are controlled by the GUI and some by the placement of external capacitors and 0 Ohm resistors. The
RFPD-RC-4450-50 GUI controls the TX PA / driver biasing, power detector calibration, LNA bypass, receive filter
center frequency, and receive protection/power detection. Hardware changes enable the ability to plug-in the
BytePipe SoM (a credit card sized 0.03-6 GHz integrated transceiver with FPGA System on Module that uses
the ADRV9002 Integrated Transceiver and a FPGA) and have it control the RFPD-RC-4450-50, as well as the
ability to bypass the tunable receive filter. A full description of the possible hardware changes for the RFPD-
RC-4450-50 are described further in Section 8: Alternate Configurations but the following is a summary:
Standalone vs. BytePipe Direct Mount (Section 8.1- Alterative Configurations – RF Connections for Standalone
vs. BytePipe vs. Tunable Filter)Bypass capacitors can be placed to route the transmitter, receiver, and auxiliary
receiver to either MCX connectors or SMPM connectors. The SMPM connectors are configured to mount the
BytePipe SoM directly to the RFPD-RC-4450-50.

RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator – User Guide
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Internal Richardson Document #
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Origination Date:07/2022
Rev C
Date: 11/2022
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Tunable Filter Bypass (Section 8.1 Alterative Configurations – RF Connections for Standalone vs. BytePipe vs.
Tunable Filter)The receive section of the RFPD-RC-4450-50 can be configured to bypass the tunable filter
through the proper placement of bypass capacitors. Note that the bypass capacitor placement is different
depending on if the BytePipe SoM is attached or not.
RFPD-RC-4450-50 MCU Control vs. BytePipe Control (Section 8.2 Alterative Configurations – Digital Hardware
Control - RFPD-RC-4450-50 Micro/GUI vs. BytePipe)0 ohm resistors can be placed to allow the BytePipe SoM
to control the RFPD-RC-4450-50 when it is attached
5.1 RFPD-RC-4450-50 Initial Configuration – Standalone Mode
When a RFPD-RC-4450-50 is purchased by itself (it can also be purchased with the BytePipe attached), it is in
the “Standalone” configuration, where the bypass capacitors are placed to route the transmitter, receiver, and
auxiliary receiver to MCX connectors on the board. (MCX to SMA adaptors are included in the kit). The tunable
filter is not bypassed, and the board is controlled by its MCU. When the board is brought up, it has the initial
setting listed in Table 1, Table 2and Table 3.
Parameter/Component
Default Setting
RX/Power Detector Switch
Power Detector
LNA Bypass Switch
LNA
Tunable Filter Center Frequency
3.25 GHz
GaN PA IDS
150 mA
GaN Driver IDS
60 mA
Power Detector Calibration Level
0.0 dBm
•The Bandwidth for the tunable filter is currently change by presenting a voltage on connector J11 so initial setting is 0V unless it is supplied a voltage
Table 1: GUI Initial Settings
C203
C76
C75
C211
C212
C209
C210
C176
C213
No BytePipe -
Tunable Filter
Open
Open
5.6 pF
Open
5.6 pF
Open
5.6 pF
Open
5.6 pF
Table 2: RF Signal Path Hardware Configuration – Standalone Mode/Filter not Bypassed
R174
R175
R189
R207
R208
R193
R192
R221
R220
R219
R217
R216
R114
R118
R163
R172
R29
R148
Standalone
Control
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
0-ohm
0-ohm
0-ohm
0-ohm
0-ohm
0-ohm
Open
0-ohm
0-ohm
Open
Open
0-ohm
Open
Table 3: Digital Control Hardware Configurations - RFPD-RC-4450-50 Micro Control

RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator – User Guide
Available exclusively from Richardson RFPD - 800-737-6937 (U.S. & Canada) - 630-262-6800 (International)
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Internal Richardson Document #
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Origination Date:07/2022
Rev C
Date: 11/2022
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Figure 6shows the Inputs and outputs (IO) of the RFPD-RC-4450-50, but many are usable only in certain
configurations. Table 4gives a description of the IO’s and the modes they can be used in. Please note that just
because an IO is available doesn’t mean it is configured to be used.
IO
Description
Standalone Use
(Yes/No)
BytePipe Use
(Yes/No)
RF_IN (J19)
MCX TX input in Standalone mode
Yes
No
ORX (J1)
MCX Observation Receiver Output
Yes
No
LNA out (J17)
MCX RX output that includes full RX
signal chain (2 LNA’s and tunable filter)
Yes
No
LNA Out (J4)
MCX RX output that bypasses tunable
filter (includes both LNA’s)
Yes
No
ANT/RF Out (J13)
SMA TX Output and RX Input
Yes
Yes
SPI Header (J21)
6 pin Header- MCU SPI Input
Yes
No
J10
BytePipe DisplayPort Mini Receptacle
No
Yes
Display (J7)
BytePipe USB MICRO-B Interface
No
Yes
Digital/Control
USB to UART (J15)
6 pin Header- MCU UART Input
Yes
No
USB (J8)
BytePipe USB – A Interface
No
Yes
Ethernet (J6)
BytePipe Ethernet Interface
No
Yes
SD Card (J9)
BytePipe SD Card
No
Yes
DC Voltage, VIN 45V (J2)
45 V input
Yes
Yes
JTAG (J5)
BytePipe JTAG Interface
No
Yes
Bias/CTL (J23)
6 pin Header – PA Analog Bias Control
Yes
Yes
J11
Tunable Filter Bandwidth Control
Yes
Yes
Fan Header
No
Yes
Table 4: RFPD-RC-4450-50 IO Availability

RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator – User Guide
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Rev C
Date: 11/2022
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Figure 6: RFPD-RC-4450-50 RF Front end with Input/Output interfaces
6Standalone Transmit
In Standalone mode, the input to the transmit section comes from a signal source (signal generator, highspeed
DAC, external Integrated Transceiver hardware, etc.) and is applied at the 50 Ohm TX_IN Port (J19) as shown in
Figure 6. 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 7shows the transmit section of the RFPD-RC-4450-50. DC Power to the module is provided via an external
DC Power Supply and is applied at the DC Voltage (VIN) port J2 ( Figure 9). This power supply input feeds a series

RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator – User Guide
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Rev C
Date: 11/2022
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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.
GRF5511
Pre-Driver
X4C50F1-30S
30dB Coupler
1
2
Σ
PD4859J5050S2HF
Forward
“Pi”
10 dB
In 90°
0°Iso
Hybrid
In90°
0° Iso
Hybrid
CGHV1F025S
CGHV1F025S
50Ω
A
50Ω
A
X4C45J1-03G
A
CGHV1F006S
Driver
J19 MCX
TX IN
C213
5.6 pF
C176
Open
J20 SMPM
TX IN
SoM
“Pi”
15 dB
J1 MCX
Aux RX Out
C210
5.6 pF
C209
Open
J22 SMPM
RX2A
(RX Port 2 of SoM)
Splitter
25W PSAT HPA
25W PSAT HPA
3dB Hybrid Coupler
X4C45J1-03G
3dB Hybrid Coupler
50Ω
Current
Controller
Current
Controller Current
Controller
Circulator
/ J13
Figure 7: RFPD-RC-4450-50 RF Front end: Transmit Section – Standalone Mode
The RFPD-RC-4450-50 also comes with a software GUI that allows the user to control vital tasks 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.
6.1 RF Bench Setup –Standalone Transmit
The recommended Hardware Bench setup required to properly test the RFPD-RC-4450-50 in Standalone
Transmit mode is shown in Figure 8.

RFPD-RC-4450-50 Design Accelerator – User Guide
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Internal Richardson Document #
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Origination Date:07/2022
Rev C
Date: 11/2022
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Figure 8: Suggested configuration for RFPD-RC-4450-50 transmit evaluation
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 are 50 Ohms. The RF output attenuator needs
to have at least 30dB attenuation and be able to handle 50W CW power.
6.2 Hardware Setup – Standalone Transmit
This section outlines the sequence of steps required for proper hardware connections on the RFPD-RC-4450-50
for transmit operation.
6.2.1 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 9.

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Figure 9: DC Voltage VIN connection
The nominal Input DC voltage to the RFPD-RC-4450-50 is 45V, but input voltages ranging between 42V and
47V DC can be used.
* 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
6.2.2 Digital/Control - USB/TTL Cable Connection
As illustrated in Figure 11, Software control is provided via a RFPD-RC-4450-50 software APP running on a PC so
a serial USB to UART/TTL cable needs to be connected between the PC and the module.
oConnect the USB to TTL/UART Serial Cable provided (Figure 10) between USB port on the PC to the 6-pin
header (J15) on the RFPD-RC-4450-50 as shown in Figure 11.

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Figure 10: ISB to TTL/UART cable
Figure 11: Serial cable connection to J15
The 0-ohm resistors used to set the digital control of the board should be configured for standalone as
shown in Table 3
6.2.3 RF Port Connections
oMake all 50 Ohm RF Output connections between the RFPD-RC-4450-50 at ANT Port (J13) and the test
equipment shown in Figure 8. Note: 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 and the “Input” test equipment as shown
in Figure 8. Please note that TX_IN (J19) is a MCX connector and there is a MCX to SMA adaptor included
in the kit
oDepending on the position of a 5.6 pF capacitor on C213 and C175, the input signal for the transmit will
be allowed to come from either the BytePipe SoM or an external input. For standalone operation, where

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the RF input signal is fed directly into the RFPD-RC-4450-50 at J19, the coupling cap (5.6 pF Cap) should
be populated on C213 (circled in red) and C176 is left open as shown in Figure 12.
Figure 12: Position of coupling capacitor C213 for Standalone Mode
* IMPORTANT: Keep the RF input source (signal generator) turned OFF at this point.
6.3 Software Setup – Standalone Transmit
This module will operate with default settings out of the box, without being connected to a PC. The GUI will only
serve the purpose of monitoring and making changes to the default settings.
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 and driver amplifiers. 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

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Figure 13: Software
icon
6.3.1 Launch RFPD-RC-4450-50 Software App
oCopy the RFPD-RC-4450-50 Software App ZIP file from the USB thumb drive (provided with the RFPD-RC-
4450-5- 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 by clicking on the icon (Figure 13) in the RFPD-RC-4450-
50 folder created.

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Once the App is launched,the Main Window (Figure 14) appears.
Figure 14: Main Screen
oVerify that the appropriate COM port (Figure 15) shows up and that the Attached Box is Checked as
highlighted in Figure 15.
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.
Figure 15: COM port highlighted

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Check the “Auto refresh” box (Figure 16) on the GUI. This provides for real-time updates to the GUI every
second.
6.3.2 Sequencing RFPD-RC-4450-50 PA
The sequencing and biasing of the GaN driver and final stage devices is done via the software GUI. When the
45V VIN is applied to the RFPD-RC-4450-50, the Vgs (gate voltages) to the driver and final stage devices will be
set to any previously stored values. If no values were stored, the default voltage is set so the PA’s IDS is 150 mA
and the drivers IDS is 60 mA. However, in either case the 40V Drain voltage will not be applied until the PA is
turned on.
To turn on the PA, click the Green PA Control Box (Figure 17). This will result in the PA Control Box turning Red
as shown in Figure 18. Also, the “PA ON” Box should be checked as indicated in Figure 18.
Figure 16: Auto refresh box checked