Evaluation Board User Guide
UG-160
09145-001
One Technology Way • P. O. Box 9106 • Norwood, MA 02062-9106, U.S.A. • Tel: 781.329.4700 • Fax: 781.461.3113 • www.analog.com
Evaluation Board for the Integer-N PLL Frequency Synthesizer
FEATURES
Self-contained board for generating RF frequencies
Contains ADF4108 8 GHz frequency synthesizer IC
Accompanying software allows complete control of
synthesizer functions from a PC
EVALUATION KIT CONTENTS
EV-ADF4108EB1Z board
CD that includes:
Self-installing software that allows users to control the
board and exercise all functions of the device
Electronic version of the ADF4108 data sheet
Electronic version of the UG-160 user guide
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT
PC running Windows XP or more recent version
Spectrum analyzer
Oscilloscope (optional)
Power supplies of 5.5 V and 15 V
DOCUMENTS NEEDED
ADF4108 data sheet
REQUIRED SOFTWARE
Analog Devices Int-N software (Version 7 or higher)
ADIsimPLL
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This board is designed, to let the user evaluate the performance of
the ADF4108 frequency synthesizer for phase-locked loops
(PLLs). Figure 1 shows the board, which contains the ADF4108
synthesizer, an SMA connector for the reference input, power
supplies, a USB interface, and RF outputs. There is also an
active loop filter and a VCO on board. The board has the option
to use an alternate loop filter and VCO by connecting to the
SMA connectors, VTUNE, an d C POU T. The evaluation kit
contains software that is compatible with Windows® XP and
later versions to allow easy programming of the synthesizer.
The USB interface allows software programming of the ADF4108
device. A USB cable is included with the board to allow software
programmability.
PLEASE SEE THE LAST PAGE FOR AN IMPORTANT
WARNING AND LEGAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
EVALUATION BOARD
Figure 1. EV-ADF4108EB1Z
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UG-160 Evaluation Board User Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Features .............................................................................................. 1
Evaluation Kit Contents ................................................................... 1
Additional Equipment ..................................................................... 1
Documents Needed .......................................................................... 1
Required Software ............................................................................ 1
General Description ......................................................................... 1
Evaluation Board .............................................................................. 1
Revision History ............................................................................... 2
Quick Start Guide ............................................................................. 3
Evaluation Board Hardware ............................................................ 4
Power Supplies .............................................................................. 4
REVISION HISTORY
3/12—Rev. 0 to Rev. A
Changes to Features Section and General Description
Section ................................................................................................ 1
Added Evaluation Kit Contents Section, Additional Equipment
Section, Documents Needed Section, Required Software
Section, and Evaluation Board Section; Deleted Block Diagram
Section; Replaced Figure 1 .............................................................. 1
Added Quick Start Guide Section .................................................. 3
Deleted Hardware Description Section and Figure 3,
Renumbered Sequentially ................................................................ 3
Changes to Evaluation Board Hardware Section and Power
Supplies Section ................................................................................ 4
Replaced Figure 2; Added Input Signals Section, Output Signals
Section, and Default Operations Section ...................................... 4
Deleted Software Description Section, Programmable Software
Settings Section, and Figure 4 ......................................................... 4
Added Evaluation Board Setup Procedure Section Software
Installation Section, and Figure 3 to Figure 5 ............................... 5
Added Windows Vista and Windows 7 Software Installation
Guide Section and Figure 6 to Figure 9 ......................................... 6
Added Windows XP Driver Installation Guide Section and
Figure 10 to Figure 14 ...................................................................... 7
Added Figure 15 and Figure 16....................................................... 8
Input Signals...................................................................................4
Output Signals ...............................................................................4
Default Operation .........................................................................4
Evaluation Board Setup Procedure .................................................5
Software Installation .....................................................................5
Evaluation Board Software ...............................................................8
Evaluation and Test ........................................................................ 10
Evaluation Board Schematics and Artwork ................................ 12
Ordering Information .................................................................... 18
Bill of Materials ........................................................................... 18
Related Links ................................................................................... 19
Changes to Evaluation Board Software Section, Added
Figure 17 ............................................................................................. 9
Added Figure 18 ............................................................................. 10
Added Evaluation and Test Section, Figure 19, and
Figure 20 .......................................................................................... 11
Changed Evaluation Board Schematics Section to Evaluation
Board Schematics and Artwork Section ...................................... 12
Changes to Figure 21 ...................................................................... 12
Changes to Figure 22 ...................................................................... 13
Added Figure 23 ............................................................................. 14
Added Figure 24 ............................................................................. 15
Added Figure 25 ............................................................................. 16
Added Figure 26 ............................................................................. 17
Added Figure 27 ............................................................................. 18
Added Figure 28 ............................................................................. 19
Changes to Table 1 .......................................................................... 18
Added Related Links Section ................................
7/11—Revision 0: Initial Version
........................ 19
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Evaluation Board User Guide UG-160
QUICK START GUIDE
Use the following steps to evaluate the ADF4108 device:
1. Install the Int-N software.
2. Follow the hardware driver installation procedure.
3. Connect the power supplies to the EV-ADF4108EB1Z:
a. The 5.5 V power supply to the on-board banana connectors.
b. The 15 V power supply to test points labeled +15 V and AGND1.
4. Connect the USB cable to the PC and to the EV-ADF4108EB1Z.
5. Run the Int-N software.
6. Select the ADF4108 device and the USB board in the Select Device and Connection tab of the software front panel window.
7. Ensure that the message “board connected” appears on front panel.
8. Connect the reference frequency to REFIN (SMA).
9. Click the Main Controls tab to input RF Settings and Settings.
10. Note that the Phase Detector Polarity drop-down list in the Settings section should be set to Negative to suit the active loop filter in
inverting mode.
11. Update all registers.
12. Connect the output to a signal source analyzer. The board offers two outputs.
a. VCO/2 via SMA labeled VCO/2
b. VCO via SMA labeled EXT_VCOOUT
13. Measure the results.
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EVALUATION BOARD HARDWARE
The evaluation board comes with a mini-USB cable to connect to
the USB port of a PC. The evaluation board silkscreen is shown
in Figure 2. The EV-ADF4108EB1Z schematics are shown in
Figure 21, Figure 22, Figure 23, and Figure 24.
POWER SUPPLIES
The board is powered via two external supplies, 5.5 V and 15 V,
and connected as described in the Quick Start Guide Section on
page 3.
INPUT SIGNALS
The necessary reference input can be from an external
generator. A low noise, high slew rate reference source is best
for achieving the stated performance of the ADF4108. This
reference source is connected to the SMA connector REFIN. A
second option is to solder a footprint-compatible TCXO to
Footprint Y1.
OUTPUT SIGNALS
The VCO output is available at EXT_VCOOUT through a
standard SMA connector. A divide by 2 option is also available
at the SMA connector VCO/2. To use an alternate loop filter
and VCO, the charge pump output CPOUT and the VCO tune
voltage VTUNE are available as outputs via standard SMA
connectors.
DEFAULT OPERATION
All components necessary for LO generation can be inserted on
the board. The board is shipped with the ADF4108 synthesizer,
an active loop filter, and the VCO.
An active loop filter using standard feedback is inserted
between the charge pump output and the VCO input. The
design parameters for the loop filter are for a center frequency of
7500 MHz, a PFD frequency of 2500 kHz, and an active loop filter
bandwidth of 17 kHz. To design a filter for different frequency
setups, use the ADIsimPLL simulation software to generate
filter component values and evaluate results.
Figure 2. Evaluation Board Silkscreen
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EVALUATION BOARD SETUP PROCEDURE
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
Use the following steps to install the USB drivers and Int-N
software.
1. Install the Analog Devices Int-N software by double-
clicking ADI_Int-N_Setup.msi.
If you are using Windows XP, follow the instructions in the
Windows XP Software Installation Guide section (see
Figure 3 to Figure 7).
If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, follow the
instructions in the Windows Vista and Windows 7 Software
Installation Guide section (see Figure 8 to Figure 12).
Note that the software requires Microsoft Windows
Installer and Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 (or higher).
The installer connects to the Internet and downloads
Microsoft .NET Framework automatically. Alternatively,
before running the ADI_Int-N_Setup.msi, both the
installer and .NET Framework can be installed from the
CD provided.
Figure 4. Windows XP Int-N Software Installation, Select Installation Folder
2. Choose an installation directory, and then click Next.
2. Plug the USB cable into the USB connector on the
evaluation board. If you are using Windows XP, follow the
steps in the Windows XP Driver Installation Guide section
(see Figure 13 to Figure 16).
On Windows Vista or Windows 7, the drivers install
automaticall y.
Windows XP Software Installation Guide
Figure 3. Windows XP Int-N Software Installation, Setup Wizard
1. Click Next.
Figure 5. Windows XP Int-N Software Installation, Confirm Installation
3. Click Next.
Figure 6. Windows XP Int-N Software Installation, Logo Testing
4. Click Continue Anyway.
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Figure 7. Windows XP Int-N Software Installation, Installation Complete
3. Click Close.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 Software Installation Guide
Figure 8. Windows Vista/7 Int-N Software Installation, Setup Wizard
1. Click Next.
Figure 10. Windows Vista /7 Int-N Software Installation, Confirm Installation
3. Click Next.
Figure 11. Windows Vista/7 Int-N Software Installation, Start Installation
4. Click Install.
Figure 9. Windows Vista/7 Int-N Software Installation, Select Installation
Folder
2. Choose an installation directory, and then click Next.
5. Click Close.
Rev. A | Page 6 of 20
Figure 12. Windows Vista/7 Int-N Software Installation, Installation Complete