This development guide describes the characteristics, operation and use of the VCA5807EVM
demonstration kit. This demonstration kit is an evaluation module for the VCA5807 device. The VCA5807
is an integrated Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA) that integrates a complete time-gain-control (TGC)
imaging path and a continuous wave Doppler (CWD) path. The VCA5807 is intended for prototyping and
evaluation. This user's guide includes a complete circuit description, schematic diagram, and bill of
materials (BOM).
The following related documents are available through the Texas Instruments web site at
The VCA5807EVM is intended for feasibility and evaluation testing only in
laboratory and development environments. This product is not for diagnostic
use.
Use the VCA5807 only under the following conditions:
•The VCA5807EVM is intended only for electrical evaluation of the features of the VCA5807 device in a
laboratory, simulation, or development environment.
•The VCA5807EVM is not intended for direct interface with a patient, or patient diagnostics.
•The VCA5807EVM is intended only for development purposes. It is not intended to be used as all or
part of an end-equipment application.
•The VCA5807EVM should be used only by qualified engineers and technicians who are familiar with
the risks associated with handling electrical and mechanical components, systems, and subsystems.
•The user is responsible for the safety of themself, fellow employees, contractors, and coworkers when
using or handling the VCA5807EVM. Furthermore, the user is fully responsible for the contact interface
between the human body and electronics; consequently, the user is responsible for preventing
electrical hazards such as shock, electrostatic discharge, and electrical overstress of electric circuit
components.
VCA5807 Overview
CAUTION
2Overview
2.1Introduction
This document is intended as a step-by-step guide through the VCA5807 Evaluation Module (EVM) setup
and test. The EVM is shipped with a default configuration from the manufacturer. With this configuration,
the onboard CMOS clock is used for an analog-to-digital converter sampling clock; the onboard oscillator
is used for CW mode operation. No external clock generator is required. The input signal for measurement
from a signal generator must be provided.
A detailed explanation regarding the jumpers, connectors, and test points appears in Section 2.2. The
graphical user interface (GUI) is available from the TI Web Site. Go to the software section of the product
folder (VCA5807).
Throughout this document, the abbreviation EVM and the term evaluation module are synonymous with
the VCA5807EVM.
Before installing the software, verify that your PC meets the minimum requirements outlined in this
section.
3.1.1Required Setup for VCA5807EVM GUI Software
•PC-compatible computer
•Pentium®III or Celeron®processor, 866 MHz or equivalent
•Minimum 256 MB of RAM (512 MB or greater recommended)
•Hard disk drive with at least 200 MB free space
•Windows®XP operating system with SP2, or Windows 7 operating system
•1280 × 1024 or greater display screen resolution
•Mouse or other pointing device
•Available USB input
3.1.2Additional Requirements for Use with Hardware
•VCA5807EVM
•USB cable
•Power supply to supply ±5 V
Software Installation and Operation
3.2Installing the Software (PC Application)
The GUI software to evaluate the VCA5807 device is available at the Texas Instruments web site at
www.ti.com (VCA5807).
Before installing the software, make sure the VCA5807EVM is not connected to the PC. If using a
machine with Windows 7, it is recommended to have administrator rights to avoid problems during
installation.
Unzip the installer file to a temporary directory, and then double click setup.exe from the directory. The
installation creates a program menu item to execute the software.
Windows should automatically install the correct device drivers, but if there are problems installing the
device drivers please refer to this e2e post.
The VCA LNA+VCA+PGA+LPF tab: The settings of the Low Noise Amplifier (LNA), VCA, Programmable
Gain Amplifier (PGA), and the Low Pass Filter (LPF) are adjusted in this tab.
•LNA: Adjusts the gain of each channel, adjust the active termination resistors, and disable the LNA
offset Integrator
•VCA: Adjusts the digital Time Gain Control (TGC) Attenuator
•PGA: Adjusts the PGA gain, Clamp Level, and disable both the overload clamp and the offset
integrator
•LPF: Adjusts the LPF frequency
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Figure 4. VCA LNA+VCA+PGA+LPF Tab of the VCA5807EVM GUI
The VCA CW Mode tab: The Continuous-wave (CW) Doppler mode is adjusted in this tab as well as the
phases of each CW channel (1-8), the CW CLK, and the feedback resistors to control the gain. CH7 and
CH8 are brought to the CW pins by using the PGA Test Mode.
The VCA Debugging/Recording tab: Command executions are saved to a file in this tab. The file can be
played back at any time by clicking on the Exec CMD File button. This tab also displays the Write Status,
and the ability to see the digital waveform of the SCLK, SDATA, and SEN pins.
The following illustration shows the setup of the VCA5807EVM and external connectors. For the default
configuration as shown in Figure 1, it is unnecessary to have an external sampling clock and external
Vcntl supply. The onboard CMOS clock and onboard Vcntl are used.
Power up the VCA5807EVM by applying +5 V and –5 V to the P1 connector. After power up is complete,
three green LEDs and three red LEDs (LED 41, LED42, and LED 43) are turned. Locations of LEDs are
shown in Figure 8.
The power configuration of the board is shown in Figure 18, page 1 of the schematic. Refer to Table 2 for
a list of important power components.
ConnectorDescription
P1/JP6P1 is the +5-V and –5-V power supply connector. JP6 is the test point for +5-V/-5-V
JP3Onboard 5-V enable. The configuration must be set up as shown in Figure 7 in order to
TP-5V-5-V supply test point
+5VA+5-V supply test point
JP2Onboard 3.3-VA enable. The configuration must be set up as shown in Figure 7 in order
TP33VA+3.3-VA supply test point
TP1 through TP4Ground test points
4.4Clock Buffer
The clock buffer drives the VCA5807 device. Each clock buffer output should only drive one VCA5807. Do
not use one clock to drive multiple VCA5807s. This is due to the fact that the clock buffer's load
capacitance increases by a factor of N, which then results in degraded falling and rising times. Select
different clock inputs in the GUI. LEDs 41 and 42 demonstrate the PLL status of the clock buffer.
Hardware
Table 2. Power Table
power supply.
use onboard 5-V supply.
to use the onboard 3.3 V.
4.5VCA Inputs
J1 through J8 are the analog input signals for CH1 through CH8. Connect to a signal generator. If the
signal is too noisy, apply a bandpass filter between the generator and the SMA to get a better result. Use
TP3-TP10 to see the input signal to the board.
4.6VCA5807 Device
The VCA5807 device is a suitable ultrasound analog front end solution for high-end systems and portable
systems. This device contains eight channels of VCA, and CW mixer. The VCA includes an LNA, Voltagecontrolled Attenuator (VCAT), PGA, and an LPF. Each of these features is adjusted via the VCA5807
EVM GUI. For a more detailed explanation of the VCA5807 device please refer to the datasheet. The
datasheet is found on the TI product folder at www.ti.com. (SLOS727)
4.7VCA Outputs
J26 through J36 are the output signals for CH1 through CH8. All channels have a single-ended output
through an OPA842 buffer amplifier. However, CH1 has the option of a fully differential output signal
through a THS4130 amplifier. In order to use this amplifier, install R734 and R738 and remove R837,
C317, and C318. CH8 also provides an added feature by allowing the choice of the OPA830 as the buffer
amplifier. In order to use this amplifier, install R776 and R777 and remove U35.
•Apply an analog signal (2.51 MHz, –10 dBm) to any analog input SMA.
•The CW outputs (J12, J13) display the frequency I and Q signals at 10 kHz as shown in Figure 11.
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The GUI Gain Control Feedback Resistor can vary the amplitude of the outputs.
4.9VControl
Switch between using the onboard Vcntl or the external Vcntl by using JP15. External Vcntl can range
from 0 V to 1.5 V. If using the external Vcntl, then a DC voltage source must be connected to J14. The
default setup uses onboard Vcntl. VR2 is used to make onboard Vcntl adjustments.
4.10 Serial Interface
The serial interface of the board is located on the bottom right-hand side. USB1 is the USB interface
connector. P13 and P14 are test points for the USB data bus: From pin 1 to pin 9, the signals are D0, D4,
D2, D1, D7, D5, D6, D3, and DGND. P14 on the VCA5807EVM is not installed.
This section assumes all engineering knowledge on the device and basic overview of the VCA5807EVM.
5.1Test Setup
Connect the EVM as shown in . Typical input signals are 5 MHz at –32 dBm. This can be applied to any
VCA input (J1-J8). If the signal is noisy, consider using a 5-MHz filter. Connect a scope or a spectrum
analyzer to the corresponding VCA output in order to measure the gain on the channel.
5.2Power Up VCA5807EVM
Connect ±5-V power to the board. No other power connection is needed.
5.3Launch the VCA5807 GUI
Launch the VCA5807EVM GUI. Execute a software reset with the GUI and verify the current consumption
drops from ≈0.762 A to ≈0.646 A. Enable the Active Termination Resistor of 50 Ohms (check the box) on
the LNA+VCA+PGA+LPF tab. This tab is also used to vary the gain on each channel. However, with the
default settings as shown in , the gain should be 42 dB overall. Therefore, with an input signal of 5 MHz at
–32 dBm, load resistance of 50 Ω, and an overall gain of 42 dB, the output should read ≈4 dBm or 1 Vpp.
For more details and other modes for testing and evaluating the VCA5807 device, please refer to the
previous pages of this development guide.
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