Texas Instruments DAC90 EVM Series User manual

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DAC90x Evaluation Module
User's Guide
SLAU726–August 2017
DAC90x Evaluation Module
This user's guide describes the function and use of the DAC90x evaluation module (EVM). Included in this
document are a quick-start guide, instructions for optimizing evaluation results, jumper and connector
descriptions, software description, and alternate hardware configurations.
Contents
1 Overview...................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 Required Hardware................................................................................................. 2
1.2 Required Software.................................................................................................. 3
1.3 Evaluation Board Feature Identification Summary ............................................................. 3
1.4 References .......................................................................................................... 3
2 Quick-Start Guide............................................................................................................ 4
2.1 Software Installation................................................................................................ 4
2.2 Hardware Setup Procedure ....................................................................................... 5
2.3 Software Setup Procedure......................................................................................... 6
2.4 Quick-Start Troubleshooting....................................................................................... 8
3 Alternate Hardware Configurations........................................................................................ 9
3.1 Control Modes....................................................................................................... 9
3.2 External Clock Generation ....................................................................................... 10
3.3 Analog Output Circuits............................................................................................ 10
Appendix A Jumper and Connector Descriptions............................................................................ 12
List of Figures
1 DAC90xEVM Block Diagram............................................................................................... 2
2 EVM Feature Locations..................................................................................................... 3
3 Quick-Start Test Setup...................................................................................................... 5
4 Power Supply Connections................................................................................................. 6
5 HSDC Pro GUI Main Panel................................................................................................. 7
6 Reconfiguration Hardware Location....................................................................................... 9
7 External Clock Signal...................................................................................................... 10
List of Tables
1 Configuration Files........................................................................................................... 7
2 Troubleshooting Tips........................................................................................................ 8
3 Jumper Descriptions and Default Settings.............................................................................. 12
4 Connector Descriptions.................................................................................................... 12
5 J1 Parallel Data Connector ............................................................................................... 13
6 J4 and J2 Power Connectors............................................................................................. 13
Trademarks
Microsoft, Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

*Unpopulated components
TSW1400EVM Interface
DAC Buffers
Control
Interface
*
14
J6
J7
J8
J9*
*
J4
J2
5 VA
AGND
-5 VA
3.3 V (DVDD)
DGND
DP
Amplifier
Interface
Transformer
Interface
D[0-15]
J1
J3*
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Overview www.ti.com
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DAC90x Evaluation Module
1 Overview
The DAC90xEVM is an evaluation module (EVM) designed to evaluate the DAC90x. The EVM provides
simple and minimal external components to minimize system cost and power consumption. The
DAC90xEVM is designed to work seamlessly with the TSW1400EVM, data capture and pattern generator
module. The TSW1400EVM is programed through TI's High-Speed Data Converter Pro Graphic User
Interface (HSDC Pro GUI) software tool for high-speed data converter evaluation.
Figure 1. DAC90xEVM Block Diagram
1.1 Required Hardware
The following equipment is included in the EVM evaluation kit:
• DAC90xEVM
The following list of equipment are items that are not included in the EVM evaluation kit but are items
required for evaluation of this product in order to achieve the best performance:
•TSW1400EVM Data Capture Board, +5 V DC cable connector and mini-USB cable
• Computer running Microsoft®Windows®8, Windows 7, or Windows XP
• One dual-channel pulse generator.
– Examples: Keysight 81160A, 81134A, 8133a, or similar.
• Triple-output DC power supply. Recommendations:
– DC Power Supply, Output 1: 30W,6V,5A.Output 2: 25 W, 25 V, 1 A, Output 3: 25 W, –25 V, 1
A.
– Examples: Keysight E3631A or equivalent

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DAC90x Evaluation Module
• Signal path cables, SMA or BNC with BNC-to-SMA adapters
• One of the following (depending on the requirements of the user)
– Spectrum Analyzer. Example: Agilent E4440A
– Oscilloscope: Example: Agilent DSO3052T
1.2 Required Software
The following software is required to operate the TSW1400EVM and is available online. See References,
Section 1.4 for links.
• High-Speed Data Converter Pro software version 4.7
1.3 Evaluation Board Feature Identification Summary
The EVM features are labeled in Figure 2.
Figure 2. EVM Feature Locations
1.4 References
• DAC90x data sheet (SBAS093), available at www.ti.com/product/DAC900
• TSW1400EVM User’s Guide (SLWU079), available at www.ti.com/tool/TSW1400EVM
• High-Speed Data Converter Pro software (SLWC107) and User's Guide (SLWU087), available at
www.ti.com/tool/dataconverterpro-sw
NOTE: Schematics, layout, and BOM are available on each EVM tool page on www.ti.com:
•DAC900EVM
•DAC902EVM
•DAC904EVM
•DAC908EVM

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DAC90x Evaluation Module
2 Quick-Start Guide
This section guides the user through the EVM test procedure to obtain a valid data capture from the
DAC90xEVM using the TSW1400EVM capture card. This should be the starting point for all evaluations.
2.1 Software Installation
The proper software must be installed before beginning evaluation. See Section 1.2 for a list of the
required software. The References section of this document contains links to find the software on the TI
website.
Important: The software must be installed before connecting the DAC90xEVM and TSW1400EVM to the
computer for the first time.
2.1.1 High-Speed Data Converter Pro GUI Installation
The High-Speed Data Converter Pro (HSDC Pro) is used to control the TSW1400EVM and analyze the
captured data. See High Speed Data Converter Pro GUI for more information.
1. Download HSDC Pro from the TI website. The References section of this document contains the link to
find the software on the TI website.
2. Extract the files from the zip file.
3. Run setup.exe and follow the installation prompts.

PC Running
HSDC Pro
5 VDC
Spectrum Analyzer
Dual-Channel
Pulse Generator
Triple-Output DC
Power Supply
Mini USB
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DAC90x Evaluation Module
2.2 Hardware Setup Procedure
A typical test setup using the DAC90xEVM and TSW1400EVM is shown in Figure 3. This is the test setup
used for the quick-start procedure. The rest of this section describes the hardware setup steps.
Figure 3. Quick-Start Test Setup
2.2.1 TSW1400EVM Setup
Set up the TSW1400EVM with the following steps:
1. Connect the DAC90xEVM to the TSW1400EVM by connecting pin 1 of the CMOS_INTERFACE (J1) to
pin 1 of the DAC90xEVM output data (J1).
2. Connect the power cable to connector J12 (+5 V IN) to the TSW1400EVM.
3. Connect the mini-USB cable to the USB connector (J5).
4. Turn on the power supply. Flip the power switch (SW7) to the ON position. The board should draw
around 0.5 A after power up. This will increase to around 1.7 A when loaded with firmware.

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DAC90x Evaluation Module
2.2.2 DAC90xEVM Setup
Continue the hardware setup of the DAC90xEVM using the following:
1. Connect the power supply cables to the EVM. refer to Figure 2 and Table 6 for proper connections.
Figure 4. Power Supply Connections
2. Connect the SMA connector from the pulse generator to the EXT Clock input (J5).
3. Turn on the power supply.
4. Connect an SMA cable from the output of the DAC90xEVM (J6) to the input of the spectrum analyzer.
2.3 Software Setup Procedure
The software can be opened and configured once the hardware is properly setup.
2.3.1 HSDC Pro GUI Configuration
1. Open High Speed Data Converter Pro by going to Start Menu →All Programs →Texas Instruments →
High Speed Data Converter Pro. The GUI main page looks as shown in Figure 5.

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Figure 5. HSDC Pro GUI Main Panel
2. When prompted to select the capture board, select the TSW1400. If multiple TSW1400EVMs are
connected, choose the serial number that corresponds to the serial number on the TSW1400EVM
connected to the DAC90x and click OK. This popup can be accessed through the Instrument Options
menu.
3. If no firmware is currently loaded, there is a message indicating this. Click OK.
4. Verify the DAC tab at the top of the GUI is selected.
5. Use the Select DAC drop-down menu at the top left corner to select the correct configuration file for
the DAC90x variant being used, see Table 1.
Table 1. Configuration Files
DAC90xEVM Variant Configuration File
DAC900 CMOS_10_Bit
DAC902 CMOS_12_Bit
DAC904 CMOS_14_Bit
DAC908 CMOS_8_Bit
6. When prompted to update the firmware for the DAC, click Yes and wait for the firmware to download to
the TSW1400. This takes approximately 10 seconds.
7. Enter “150M” into the "Data Rate (SPS)" field at the upper portion of the DAC tab, and ensure that
"offset Bin" is selected for "DAC Option".
8. In the lower left corner of the HSDC Pro window, enter the following parameters into the I/Q Multitone
generator:
• ToneBW = 0
• # = 1
• Tone Center = 27.4
9. Click the Create Tones button
10. The result should be now visible on the oscilloscope or spectrum analyzer. If performance is not
meeting data sheet specifications, it may be necessary to provide a delay on the clock signal to the
DAC in order to meet setup and hold time requirements. If no output is seen, then see Quick Start
Troubleshooting.

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DAC90x Evaluation Module
2.4 Quick-Start Troubleshooting
Use Table 2 to assist with problems that may have occurred during the quick-start procedure.
Table 2. Troubleshooting Tips
Issue Troubleshooting Tips
General problems Verify the test setup shown in Section 2 and repeat the setup procedure as described in
this document.
Check power supplies to the EVMs. Verify that the power switches are in the ON position
and supplies are drawing the appropriate current.
Check signal and clock connections to the EVM.
Check that all boards are properly connected together.
Try power-cycling the external power supply to the EVMs.
TSW1400 LEDs are not correct:
D2 – D9 OFF Verify the settings of the configuration switches on the TSW1400EVM.
Verify that the EVM configuration GUI is communicating with the USB and that the
configuration procedure has been followed.
Try capturing data in HSDC Pro to force an LED status update.
HSDC Pro software is not
capturing good data or analysis
results are incorrect.
Verify that the TSW1400EVM is properly connected to the PC with a mini-USB cable and
that the board serial number is properly identified by the HSDC Pro software.
Check that the proper DAC device is selected, and the proper configuration file is being
used.
Check that the analysis parameters are properly configured.
HSDC Pro software gives a time-
out error when capturing data Restart HSDC Pro and reload the firmware.
Verify that the data rate is correct in the HSDC Pro software.
Sub-optimal measured
performance Adjust the delay time of DAC clock.
Measure test points to verify operating voltage ranges.
Verify jumper configurations are in default locations.
Verify that filters are used in the clock and input signal paths and that low-noise signal
sources are used.

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3 Alternate Hardware Configurations
This section describes alternate hardware configurations in order to achieve better results or to more
closely mimic the system configuration.
Figure 6. Reconfiguration Hardware Location
3.1 Control Modes
The INT/EXT, REFin and FSA pins of the DAC904, DAC902, DAC900, and DAC908 control various DAC
features and functions. This section describes the function of these pins.
3.1.1 FSA Input Pin
For an output current of 20 mA, the potentiometer R14 value is typically set to 2 kΩ. Owing to the fact that
the maximum full-scale current is 20 mA when IOUT1 and IOUT2 are terminated into 50-Ωload resistors,
the voltage at J8 and J9 is 1 V.
3.1.2 INT/EXT Pin
The internal 1.2-V Vref is selected when the INT/EXT pin is grounded (W3 pins 2 and 3 shorted). When
the INT/EXT pin is tied to 5 V ( W3 pins 2 and 3 shorted) and the W4 jumper is in place, the external 1.2-V
Vref is selected.

W2
1
2
3
DAC Clock
CLKOUT
DAC
J5
J1-33
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3.1.3 REFin Pin
An external reference voltage is provided via the REFin input pin. U7 or U8 is used to generate the
external reference voltage. Jumper W4 is for selecting the external reference voltage.
3.2 External Clock Generation
When connected to an AVDD supply of 5 V and DVDD supply of 5 V, the maximum operating speed of
the DAC90x is 200 MHz. When the DVDD supply is 3.3 V, the maximum clock speed is 165 MHz. The
clock signal comes from either the DSP CLKOUT signal or from an external source via J5. The
DAC90xEVM requires an external clock source when used with the TSW1400EVM.
Figure 7. External Clock Signal
3.3 Analog Output Circuits
The analog signal output of the DAC90x can be configured to drive a resistive load, a transformer, an
operational amplifier, or other output configuration, as long as the limitations set by the output voltage
compliance and full-scale range are not exceeded.
3.3.1 Transformer-Coupled Output
The optimum dynamic performance of the DAC90x is achieved with the outputs used differentially. The
DAC90xEVM is configured to operate with transformer output coupling by default. The 1:1 RF transformer
is used for impedance matching, dc isolation, and interfacing between the differential outputs of the DAC
and an external single-ended device. The resistors R23, R24, and R29 are used to form a network that
reflects 50 Ωacross the primary circuit (J6).
A spectrum analyzer with 50-Ωinput impedance is normally used to measure the performance of the DAC.
A 50-Ωcoaxial cable is used to connect J6 output to the 50-Ωinput of the spectrum analyzer. The
spectrum analyzer impedance is in parallel to the transformer 50-Ωreflected impedance across J6.
Therefore, the voltage at the input of the spectrum analyzer is ½ J6. If a larger voltage is required, use a
1:2 step up voltage ratio transformer to produce twice the voltage at J6. In addition set R23 to 200 Ωand
remove R24 and R29. R14 may require some adjustments.
3.3.2 Direct Output
Direct output configuration allows the user to connect the outputs of the DAC90x directly to external
circuitry. This configuration requires that J8 and J9 be installed by the user. A 1-V output will appear at J8
and J9 when IOUT1 and IOUT2 are terminated into 50-Ωexternal resistor loads (output taken from J8 and
J9 and W6 and W7 open).
3.3.3 Operational Amplifier Output
In addition to the transformer-coupled output configuration, the DAC90xEVM offers three more
configurations which use the THS3001 operational amplifier. The THS3001 can be configured as a
difference amplifier, an inverting amplifier, and a non-inverting amplifier.