Texas instruments AFE1256COF User Manual
User's Guide
SBAU215–November 2013
AFE1256COF EVM Introduction User Guide
This user's guide provides an introduction to the evaluation module (EVM) for the AFE1256 from Texas
Instruments.
Contents
1 AFE1256COF EVM Kit Contents ......................................................................................... 2
2 AFE1256COF EVM Hardware Features ................................................................................. 3
3 AFE1256COF EVM SOFTWARE FEATURES .......................................................................... 3
4 AFE1256COF EVM DOCUMENTATION ................................................................................ 3
List of Figures
1 AFE1256COF EVM......................................................................................................... 2
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SBAU215–November 2013 AFE1256COF EVM Introduction User Guide
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AFE1256COF EVM Kit Contents
1 AFE1256COF EVM Kit Contents
The AFE1256EVM is a compact, USB-based evaluation kit for evaluating the AFE1256COF (a 256channel analog front-end). The kit consists of an EVM and a separate COF adapter along with easy-touse software that allows performance evaluation of the COF device.
The COF adapter is detachable and, thus, multiple COF adapters can be evaluated with a single EVM
setup. The USB 2.0 interface provides fast configuration downloads and field-programmable gate array
(FPGA) to (personal computer) PC communication through a microcontroller.
The AFE1256COF EVM kit contains the following:
• One AFE1256COF EVM board,
• Two COF adapter boards (each with a ZIF connector),
• Two AFE1256COF devices,
• One COF heat sink,
• Two clamps,
• One pressure pad, and
• A CD-ROM containing:
– A user's guide,
– Graphical user interface (GUI) software,
– Example platforms, and
– Schematics.
The AFE1256COF EVM is shown in Figure 1.
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Figure 1. AFE1256COF EVM
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AFE1256COF EVM Introduction User Guide SBAU215–November 2013
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2 AFE1256COF EVM Hardware Features
The AFE1256COF EVM is a compact, USB 2.0-based evaluation kit for the AFE1256COF. This kit has all
the electronics integrated on the EVM required for characterizing the externally-detachable AFE1256COF.
Some of these blocks include digital-to-analog converters (DACs) for driving the AFE1256COF inputs, a
3.4-V power for the AFE1256COF, options for driving the AFE1256COF from external power supplies, a
fully-flexible pattern generator implemented in the FPGA for providing various timing and control signals to
the AFE1256COF, and FPGA-based data acquisition for capturing the AFE data output. All that is required
in terms of hardware is a 5-V power supply to get started and to evaluate the AFE1256COF.
3 AFE1256COF EVM SOFTWARE FEATURES
The GUI included with the EVM provides an easy interface to evaluate the AFE1256COF. The onboard
DACs and CLK generator implemented within the FPGA can be directly controlled with the GUI.
The GUI configures the AFE, loads and runs patterns to the AFE1256COF, and analyzes the
AFE1256COF output data. The image viewer integrated with the GUI provides a monochrome image
representation of the captured data. This image can also be offset-corrected. Common analysis (such as
sigma and average) are performed and displayed along with the captured data. The GUI can be used to
save the AFE1256COF data in text format for offline analysis.
4 AFE1256COF EVM DOCUMENTATION
Complete EVM and COF adapter schematics can be located on the CD-ROM that is provided in the
AFE1256COF EVM kit. The user guide provided in the kit explains a step-by-step installation procedure
for the device drivers and firmware. Each tab in the GUI is explained in detail with sufficient pattern
examples and usage. FPGA vhdl files are also included in the kit to help customers interface their own
FPGAs with the AFE1256COF.
Therefore, the AFE1256COF EVM is a complete evaluation setup for the AFE1256COF. For more
information on the EVM, or to order the EVM, please write to: afe1256-support@list.ti.com.
AFE1256COF EVM Hardware Features
SBAU215–November 2013 AFE1256COF EVM Introduction User Guide
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