This user’s guide describes the characteristics and use of the DAC8775 evaluation board (EVM). It also
discusses how to setup and configure the software and hardware for proper operation. Throughout this
document, the terms DAC8775EVM, evaluation board, evaluation module, and EVM are synonymous with
the DAC8775EVM.
Windows XP, Windows 7 are registered trademarks of Microsoft.
1Overview
The DAC8775 is a four-channel (quad) 16-bit precision digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Each output can
be configured to produce a current in output ranges of 0 to 20 mA, 0 to 24 mA, 3.5 to 23.5 mA, or ±24 mA.
Each channel can also be configured for voltage output in ranges of 0 to 5 V, 0 to 6 V, 0 to 10 V, 0 to 12
V, ±5 V, ±6 V, ±10 V, or ±12 V. The DAC8775 includes integrated buck-boost converters for each channel
to generate all necessary power supplies from a single external supply. The buck-boost converter features
various operating modes that can be used to enhance power dissipation and thermal performance. The
DAC8775 features additional peripherals including: HART input pins for coupling of FSK HART Voltage
signals, slew-rate control for the analog outputs, and reliability features such as CRC, watchdog timer, and
conditional alarms.
1.1EVM Kit Contents
Table 1 details the contents of the EVM kit. Contact the nearest Texas Instruments Product Information
Center or visit the Texas Instruments E2E Community (http://E2E.ti.com) if any component is missing.
ITEM NOITEMQTYDESCRIPTION OR USE
1DAC8775EVM PCB1EVM hardware
2USB Extension Cable1Connects PC USB port to SM-USB-DIG USB connector
3SM-USB-DIG Platform1Platform used for digital communication from PC to EVM
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Table 1. Contents of DAC8775EVM Kit
1.2Related Documentation From Texas Instruments
The following documents provide information regarding Texas Instruments integrated circuits used in the
assembly of the DAC8775EVM. This user’s guide is available from the TI website under the literature
number SBAU248. Any letter appended to the literature number corresponds to the document revision that
is current at the time of the writing of this document. Newer revisions may be available from the TI website
at http://www.ti.com/, or by calling the Texas Instruments Literature Response Center at 1-800-477-8924
or the Product Information Center at 1-972-644-5580. When ordering identify the document by both title
and literature number.
Table 2. Related Documentation
ITEM NOLITERATURE NUMBER
DAC8775 product data sheetSLVSBY7
REF5050 product data sheetSBOS410
SM-USB-DIG platform user’s guideSBOU098
Single-supply for use with buck-boost converter
Multi-supply for use without buck-boost converter
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2EVM Hardware Overview
This section discusses the overall system setup for the EVM. A personal computer (PC) runs the software
that communicates with the SM-USB-DIG platform, which provides the power and digital signals used to
communicate with the EVM board. Connectors on the EVM board allow the user to connect the required
external power supplies for the configuration under test. The SM-USB-DIG must be connected to the
DAC8775EVM with the Texas Instruments logo facing up.
Figure 1. DAC8775EVM Hardware Setup
2.1EVM Board Block Diagram
A block diagram of the EVM board setup is shown in Figure 2. This board provides test points for the SPI,
power, reference, ground, analog outputs, !LDAC, CLR, ALARM, and RESET signals. The EVM allows the
user to select the internal buck-boost converter or external power supplies as sources for each channel’s
positive and negative supplies rails. The EVM also allows the user to select the internal reference,
onboard REF5050 reference, or external reference to provide the reference voltage to the DAC8775.
Many of the components on the EVM are susceptible to damage by electrostatic discharge (ESD). Users
are advised to observe proper ESD handling precautions when unpacking and handling the EVM,
including the use of a grounded wrist strap at an approved ESD workstation.
2.3Jumper Summary
Table 3 summarizes all of the EVM jumper functionality.
JUMPER LABELDEFAULTPOSITIONFUNCTION
JP11-2
JP21-2
JP31-2
JP41-2
JP51-2
JP61-2
JP71-2
JP81-2
JP9Not installed
JP101-2
JP11Not installed
JP122-3
JP13Not installed
JP14Not installed
JP15Installed
JP16Installed
JP17Installed
JP18Not installed
JP19Installed
JP20Not installed
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Table 3. EVM Jumper Summary
1-2Selects DC/DC Channel A to supply VPOSA
2-3Selects PVDD/AVDD to supply VPOSA
1-2Selects DC/DC Channel A to supply VNEGA
2-3Selects AVSS to supply VNEGA
1-2Selects DC/DC Channel B to supply VPOSB
2-3Selects PVDD/AVDD to supply VPOSB
1-2Selects DC/DC Channel B to supply VNEGB
2-3Selects AVSS to supply VNEGB
1-2Selects DC/DC Channel C to supply VPOSC
2-3Selects PVDD/AVDD to supply VPOSC
1-2Selects DC/DC Channel C to supply VNEGC
2-3Selects AVSS to supply VNEGC
1-2Selects DC/DC Channel D to supply VPOSD
2-3Selects PVDD/AVDD to supply VPOSD
1-2Selects DC/DC Channel D to supply VNEGD
2-3Selects AVSS to supply VNEGD
InstalledConnects the SM-USB-DIG supply to DVDD
Not installedDisconnects the SM-USB-DIG supply from DVDD
1-2Selects the DAC8775 internal reference
2-3Selects the REF5050 external reference
InstalledDisables internal DVDD LDO
Not installedEnables internal DVDD LDO
1-2Issues a clear command to the DAC8775
2-3No operation
InstalledSelects the external DVDD
Not installedDisconnects the external DVDD
InstalledIssues a hardware reset to the DAC8775
Not installedNo operation
InstalledSelect asynchronous update mode
Not installedSelect synchronous update mode
InstalledVSENSEPA is shorted to VOUTA on-board
Not installedVSENSEPA is shorted to VOUTA off-board
InstalledVSENSEPB is shorted to VOUTB onboard
Not installedVSENSEPB is shorted to VOUTB off-board
InstalledLoads VOUTA/IOUTA with a short to GND
Not installedUnloads VOUTA/IOUTA of the short to GND
InstalledLoads VOUTA/IOUTA with a 250-Ω resistor
Not installedUnloads VOUTA/IOUTA of the 250-Ω resistor
InstalledLoads VOUTA/IOUTA with a 625-Ω resistor
Not installedUnloads VOUTA/IOUTA of the 625-Ω resistor
This section describes the various power configurations that can be used by the EVM.
2.4.1PVDD_X/AVDD Supply
The PVDD_X, the buck-boost converter supplies, and AVDD, the analog supply, of the DAC8775 are
connected to the same power net labeled PVDD/AVDD on the DAC8775EVM. Terminal block J2, shown
in Figure 3, allows for external voltage sources to be connected to the PVDD/AVDD supply. The
PVDD/AVDD supply must be provided regardless of whether the buck-boost converter is in use or not.
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Figure 3. PVDD/AVDD, AVSS, and DVDD Supply Connections
2.4.2VPOS_X and VNEG_X Supplies
VPOS_X, the positive supply for the output signal chain, and VNEG_X, the negative supply for the output
signal chain, may be powered by the DAC8775 internal buck-boost converters or by off-board supply
voltages.
Permanent device damage may occur if externally supplying
VPOS_X or VNEG_X while the internal buck-boost supply is
enabled.
When using the DAC8775 internal buck-boost converters to supply VPOS_X and VNEG_X, install JP1
through JP8 (or the two jumpers that correspond to the channel of interest) in the 1-2 position, or "inside"
position, as indicated by Table 3.
When using external equipment to supply VPOS_X and VNEG_X, install JP1 through JP8 (or the two
jumpers that correspond to the channel of interest) in the 2-3 position, or "outside" position, as indicated
by Table 3. In this configuration, the VPOS_X supplies are connected to the PVDD/AVDD net and the
VNEG_X supplies are connected to the AVSS net. If bipolar supplies are used, connect an appropriate
negative supply voltage to AVSS through terminal block J3, as shown in Figure 3. If unipolar supplies are
used, connect AVSS to ground through terminal block J3.
DVDD, the digital supply voltage, of the DAC8775 can be supplied by the SM-USB-DIG VDUT supply (pin
6 of J1), an external supply voltage through J4 (illustrated in Figure 3), or by the DAC8775 internal DVDD
LDO. When using the SM-USB-DIG as the DVDD supply, uninstall jumper JP13 and install jumpers JP9
and JP11. To use an external supply voltage as the DVDD supply, install jumpers JP13 and JP11 and
uninstall JP9. To use the DAC8775 internal LDO as the DVDD supply, uninstall jumpers JP9, JP13, and
JP11.
In each DVDD supply configuration, take care to ensure that digital logic thresholds of the host and
DAC8775 match and that the absolute maximum ratings of the DAC8775 are not violated.
2.5EVM Features
This section describes some of the hardware features present on the EVM board.
2.5.1Communication Test Points
The EVM board features test points for monitoring the communication between the SM-USB-DIG and the
DAC8775. Test points are provided for the !LDAC, CLR, ALARM, RESET, SDIN, SCLK, !SYNC, and SDO
pins of the DAC8775.
EVM Hardware Overview
Figure 4. Digital Communication Test Points
The EVM design also allows external signals to be connected through these communication test points if
the EVM is integrated into a custom evaluation setup or application specific prototype. Note that if the SMUSB-DIG platform is not used, DVDD must be configured to use the DAC8775 internal DVDD LDO or
external supplies as described in Section 2.4.3.
The DAC8775 reference voltage can be supplied by the internal voltage reference, by the onboard
REF5050, or by an external reference voltage.
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Figure 5. Onboard Reference Supply Connections
To use the internal reference voltage, place JP10 in the 1-2 position. To use the REF5050 reference
voltage, place JP10 in the 2-3 position and connect a supply voltage for the REF5050 to J9, as shown in
Figure 5. To use an external reference voltage, remove JP10 and the reference can be connected to the
DAC8775EVM through the center post of JP10.
2.5.3VOUT_X, VSENSEP_X, and VSENSEN_X
The VOUT_X pins can be access on terminal blocks J5, J6, J7, and J8 or by the OUT_A, OUT_B,
OUT_C, or OUT_D test points. The VSENSEP_X and VSENSEN_X sense connections may be provided
onboard or externally closer to the point of load through terminal blocks J5, J6, J7, or J8. To provide the
VSENSEP_X connections onboard, install JP16, JP17, JP30, or JP31 based on the channel of interest.
Similarly, to provide VSENSEN_X connections onboard, install JP26, JP27, JP40, or JP41. Removing
these jumpers requires that the sense connections are made external to the EVM board. Figure 6 shows
the arrangement of the output terminal blocks.
2.5.4IOUT_X
The IOUT_X pins can be accessed on terminal blocks J5, J6, J7, or J8 or by the test points OUT_A,
OUT_B, OUT_C, or OUT_D.
2.5.5Onboard Output Loads
Four load choices are installed on the EVM board to evaluate the voltage and current outputs as well as
the adaptive power management performance of the DAC8775. JP18, JP22, JP32, or JP36 are available
to provide a short-circuit condition on the outputs. JP19, JP23, JP33, or JP37 provide a 250-Ω load on the
outputs. JP20, JP24, JP34, or JP38 are available to provide a 625-Ω on the outputs. JP21, JP25, JP35, or
JP39 provides a 1-kΩ load on the outputs.
Figure 6. Output Terminal Block Connections and Load Jumpers
2.5.6Applying HART Signals
JP28, JP29, JP42, and JP43 are available to couple external HART FSK communication signals onto the
current outputs. When injecting the HART signal, remove JP28, JP29, JP42, or JP43 and apply the HART
signal to pin 1. When a HART signal is not being injected, install JP28, JP29, JP42, or JP43, with AC
coupling the HART pins to ground.
EVM Hardware Overview
2.6Connecting the SM-USB-DIG
To connect the EVM board and the SM-USB-DIG platform together, firmly slide the male and female ends
of the 10-pin connectors together with the Texas Instruments logo of the SM-USB-DIG facing up as shown
in Figure 7. Make sure that the two connectors are completely pushed together as loose connections may
cause intermittent operation.
2.7Signal Definitions of J1 (10-Pin SM-USB-DIG Connector)
Table 4 shows the pin-out for the 10-pin connector used to communicate between the EVM and the SM-
USB-DIG. Note that the I2C communication lines (I2C_SCL and I2C_SDA1) are not used.
Table 4. SM-USB-DIG Connector
PIN ON J1SIGNALDESCRIPTION
1I2C_SCLI2C clock signal (SCL)
2CTRL/MEAS4GPIO: Control output or measure input
3I2C_SDA1I2C data signal (SDA)
4CTRL/MEAS5GPIO: Control output or measure input
5SPI_DOUT1SPI data output (MOSI)
6VDUT
7SPI_CLKSPI clock signal (SCLK)
8GNDPower return (GND)
9SPI_CS1SPI chip-select signal (!CS)
10SPI_DIN1SPI data input (MISO)
Switchable DUT power supply: 3.3 V, 5 V, Hi-Z (disconnected).
Note: When VDUT is Hi-Z, all digital I/Os are Hi-Z as well
3EVM Software Setup
This section discusses how to install the EVM software.
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3.1Operating Systems for EVM Software
The EVM software has been tested on the Windows XP®and Windows 7®operating systems with United
States and European regional settings. The software should also function on other Windows operating
systems.
3.2EVM Software Installation
The EVM software may be downloaded by following the instructions provided external to this document.
To install the software, locate and extract the file named DAC8775.zip to a specific folder (for example,
C:\DAC8775\) on the hard drive.
After the files are extracted, navigate to the folder created on the hard drive. Locate and execute the
setup.exe file to start the installation. The DAC8775 software installer file then opens to begin the
installation process.
After the installation process initializes, the user is given a choice of selecting the installation directory,
usually defaulting to C:\Program Files(x86)\DAC8775EVM\ and C:\Program Files(x86)\National
Instruments\.
EVM Software Setup
Figure 9. DAC8775EVM Install Path
After selecting the installation directory, two license agreements are presented that must be accepted.
Figure 10. DAC8775EVM Software License Agreements
After accepting the Texas Instruments and National Instruments license agreements, the progress bar
opens and shows the installation of the software. Once the installation process is completed, click Finish.
This section describes the use of the EVM software. Figure 11 shows the front panel of the EVM GUI.
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4.1Starting the EVM Software
The EVM software can be operated through the Windows start menu. From the start menu, select All
Programs, and then select DAC8775EVM.
An error will appear if the PC cannot communicate with the EVM. If this error happens, first ensure that
the USB cable is properly connected on both ends. This error can also occur if the USB cable is
connected before the SM-USB-DIG platform power source. Another possible source for this error is a
problem with the USB human interface driver on the PC. Make sure the device is recognized when the
USB cable is plugged in, as indicated by a Windows-generated confirmation sound.
4.2Reading From and Writing to Registers
The EVM software automatically reads from the DAC8775 when a reset or clear command is issued. To
read from the device in other situations, press the READ ALL button on the EVM GUI. Write actions are
carried out automatically when the value of any element on the GUI is changed.
This section describes the GUI controls for the internal reference, power-on conditions, clear, software
reset, and DAC broadcast functionality.
4.3.1Internal Reference
The internal reference can be enabled or disabled using the internal reference control on the EVM GUI. By
default, the internal reference is disabled.
4.3.2Power-On Condition
By default the power-on state of the current output is Hi-Z and the voltage output is 30 kΩ to ground after
a clear or reset command. The power-on condition GUI control allows control of the voltage output poweron condition as either 30 kΩ to ground or Hi-Z.
4.3.3Software Reset
The RESET button on the GUI issues a software reset to the DAC8775, restoring the default power-on
register contents. The GUI immediately reads all of the registers of the device to synchronize the GUI and
hardware. A hardware reset can be issued through JP14. If a hardware issue is issued the READ ALL
button should be pressed to synchronize the GUI and hardware.
4.3.4Software Clear
The CLEAR button on the GUI issues a clear command to the DAC8775, restoring the DAC data registers
to full-scale or zero-scale based on each channel’s clear select settings and clear enable settings. After a
clear command is issued the GUI immediately reads the data registers of the device to synchronize the
GUI and hardware. A hardware clear command can be issued through JP12. If a hardware clear is issued
the READ ALL button should be pressed to synchronize the GUI and hardware.
EVM Software Overview
4.4DAC Controls
4.4.1DAC Outputs
The DACs can be configured for voltage or current outputs of various spans through the Output Mode
control on the GUI. The DAC output can be set to active or inactive by checking or removing the check
from the Output Enable Boolean control on the GUI. Once an output range is selected and the output is
enabled, the DAC output value can be controlled by writing values to the DAC Data control. The DAC
Data control expects hexadecimal input formats. The small indicator on the left side of the DAC Data
control can be used to change the input data format.
Output current drive can be programmatically limited for each of the voltage output modes through the
V
Current Limit control on the GUI. Take note that the actual current limit will be compliant to the values
OUT
specified in the DAC8775 electrical characteristics table.
4.4.2Clear Functionality
Each DAC output has a Clear Enable Boolean that is AND’d with the CLEAR command. If the Clear
Enable Boolean is checked, the output channel will respond to a clear event; conversely, if the Boolean is
unchecked, the output channel will not respond to a clear event. Each DAC can be programmed to clear
to either zero-scale or full-scale. This behavior can be controlled by the Clear Select control on the GUI.
4.4.3HART Inputs
The enable HART signals to be coupled to the current outputs through the onboard coupling path the
HART-Enable Boolean control must be checked.
Each DAC may use digital calibration to reduce offset and gain errors at each channel’s output. By default
the calibration features are disabled. To enable the calibration features, the Calibration Enable Boolean
control must be checked. When the control is checked, offset and gain calibration may be controlled by
the values written to each channels Offset Calibration and Gain Calibration controls, respectively, on the
EVM GUI. For more information concerning the calibration features, please refer to the DAC8775
datasheet.
4.6Slew-Rate Controls
The slew-rate of each channel may be controlled by the slew control registers for each channel. By default
the slew-rate control features are disabled. To enable the slew-rate control features the Slew-Rate Ctl
Enable Boolean control must be checked. When the control is checked, slew-rate step size and clock
registers may be used to control the output’s slew-rate through the Slew-Rate Ctl Step Size and SlewRate Ctl Clock respectively.
4.7Buck-Boost Converter Controls
Each buck-boost converter can be configured through the EVM GUI. The Buck-Boost Mode control is
used to select the operating mode of the buck-boost converter and the Buck-Boost Enable control is used
to enable the positive, negative, or both arms of the buck-boost converter. When Buck-Boost Mode is set
to Clamp Mode, the positive clamp and negative clamp controls are used to set each arm’s output clamp.
This section contains the complete bill of materials and schematic diagram for the DAC8775EVM.
Documentation information for the SDM-USB-DIG Platform can be found in the SDM-USB-DIG Platform
User’s Guide (SBOU136) available at www.TI.com.
5.1EVM Board Schematic
Figure 12, Figure 13, and Figure 14 illustrate the DAC8775EVM board schematics.
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