EV9400

EV9400 Evaluation Kit for CMX940 UM9400/4 November 2020 USER MANUAL Advance Information Features Demonstrates the CMX940 fully integrated Fractional-N RF PLL Dual RF output for Tx and Rx sub-systems with reference PLL and VCOs 49 2040 MHz continuous output frequency On-board reference oscillator with options for an external source 1 Brief Description The EV9400 is a demonstration and evaluation platform for the CMX940 High Performance RF Synthesizer with integrated VCOs. The CMX940 provides a continuous output range of 49 to 2040 MHz, generated using a fully integrated 2720 to 4080 MHz RF VCO with selectable output frequency dividers and 16- or 24-bit Fractional-N PLL. A highly-configurable reference path, consisting of a separate PLL and VCO, can be used to minimise close-in phase noise and mitigate integer and fractional boundary spurious. The reference VCO has a range of 600 1200MHz and is set by an external inductor. The board includes all necessary voltage regulators and is operated from an external ~5.5V dc supply. The EV9400 provides an on-board 38.4 MHz low-noise reference oscillator along with the option for an external reference input. The EV9400 interfaces to the PE0003 Universal Interface Card to allow read and write access to the CMX940 registers. A graphical user interface (GUI) is available for operational set-up as well as handling control scripts. 2020 CML Microsystems Plc Evaluation Kit for CMX940 EV9400 CONTENTS Section Page 1 Brief Description ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 2 History...................................................................................................................................................................... 3 3 Block Diagrams ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 4 Preliminary Information ........................................................................................................................................... 5 4.1 Laboratory Equipment....................................................................................................................................................... 5 4.1.1 Power Supply ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5 4.2 Handling Precautions ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 4.2.1 SSD Devices ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5 4.2.2 Contents - Unpacking ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 4.3 Approvals........................................................................................................................................................................... 5 5 Quick Start ............................................................................................................................................................... 6 5.1 Setting-Up ......................................................................................................................................................................... 6 5.2 Operation .......................................................................................................................................................................... 6 5.3 Signal Lists ......................................................................................................................................................................... 7 6 Circuit Schematics and Board Layouts ..................................................................................................................... 10 7 Detailed Description ............................................................................................................................................... 12 7.1 Hardware Description ..................................................................................................................................................... 12 7.1.1 RF Synthesizer PLL / VCO (SPLL) ...................................................................................................................................... 12 7.1.2 External (off-chip) VCO Use ............................................................................................................................................. 13 7.1.3 Reference PLL / VCO (REFPLL) ......................................................................................................................................... 13 7.1.4 Reference Oscillator ........................................................................................................................................................ 13 7.1.5 Power Supplies ................................................................................................................................................................ 13 7.1.6 Reset ................................................................................................................................................................................ 13 7.1.7 Inductors ......................................................................................................................................................................... 13 7.2 Adjustments and Controls ............................................................................................................................................... 14 7.3 Script/GUI Control ........................................................................................................................................................... 14 7.3.1 Master Control Tab ......................................................................................................................................................... 15 7.3.2 REFPLL Tab....................................................................................................................................................................... 16 7.3.3 SPLL Tab ........................................................................................................................................................................... 18 7.3.4 Spur Avoidance Tab ......................................................................................................................................................... 19 7.3.5 C-BUS Register Tab .......................................................................................................................................................... 20 7.3.6 The Script Handler Tab .................................................................................................................................................... 21 7.4 Application Information .................................................................................................................................................. 23 7.4.1 Typical Performance ........................................................................................................................................................ 23 7.5 Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................................................. 27 7.5.1 RF SPLL Operation ........................................................................................................................................................... 27 7.5.2 REF PLL Operation ........................................................................................................................................................... 27 8 Performance Specification ...................................................................................................................................... 28 8.1 Electrical Performance .................................................................................................................................................... 28 8.1.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings ............................................................................................................................................ 28 8.1.2 Operating Limits .............................................................................................................................................................. 28 8.1.3 Operating Characteristics ................................................................................................................................................ 29 Table Page Table 1 Connectors .............................................................................................................................................................................. 7 Table 2 External C-BUS Host Interface ................................................................................................................................................. 7 Table 3 Optional PE0003 Host / Interface DC connector ..................................................................................................................... 7 Table 4 Test Points ............................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Table 5 Test Loops ............................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Table 6 Jumpers ................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 rd Table 7 3 Order Loop Filter Values for a VCO Frequency of 3.4 GHz ............................................................................................... 12 Table 8 RF SPLL Possible Errors ....................................................................................................................................................... 27 Table 9 REF PLL Possible Errors ....................................................................................................................................................... 27 Figure Page Figure 1 CMX940 Block Diagram .......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Figure 2 EV9400 Block Diagram ........................................................................................................................................................... 4 Figure 3 Typical Evaluation Connections for EV9400 ........................................................................................................................... 6 Figure 4 PCB Layout: Top ................................................................................................................................................................... 10 2020 CML Microsystems Plc 2 UM9400/4