company blog about Supply TI Data Acquisition Evaluation Board:ADC Evaluation Board,DAC Evaluation Board

Supply TI Data Acquisition Evaluation Board:ADC Evaluation Board,DAC Evaluation Board

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I. TI ADC Evaluation Board: The Core Test Platform for Precise Analogue Signal Capture

The TI ADC Evaluation Module (EVM) is a standardised circuit board specifically designed to evaluate the performance of TI's diverse ADC devices. It integrates the ADC chip, power management, signal input/output interfaces, clock circuitry, and debug interfaces. This eliminates the need for complex peripheral circuitry, enabling rapid performance testing of ADC devices and assisting engineers in swiftly determining whether the device meets project requirements.

1. Core Positioning and Design Philosophy

The core value of the ADC Evaluation Board lies in ‘rapid validation and precise testing’. Guided by this principle, TI adheres to three design tenets: standardisation, high compatibility, and ease of operation. The board integrates all support circuits essential for normal ADC operation, including external sampling clocks, reference voltage sources, and analogue front-end conditioning circuits. It also features standard interfaces for flexible integration with test equipment such as signal generators, oscilloscopes, and FPGA development boards, adapting to diverse testing scenarios. Whether for laboratory performance validation or early-stage prototype development, engineers can rapidly utilise the ADC evaluation board to shorten product development cycles.

2. Representative Models and Core Features

TI's ADC evaluation boards cover multiple ADC device types, including Successive Approximation Register (SAR) ADCs, Delta-Sigma (Δ-Σ) ADCs, and high-speed ADCs. Different models correspond to distinct performance parameters, catering to diverse application requirements. Below are several representative models and their core features:

ADS9813EVM/ADS9817EVM: Multi-channel High-Precision SAR ADC Evaluation Boards

These evaluation boards respectively assess the performance of the ADS9813 and ADS9817 SAR ADCs. Both are cost-effective 8-channel devices with 18-bit resolution and 2 MSPS per channel, integrating an analogue front end and ADC reference voltage. They are suited for medium-to-low speed, high-precision data acquisition scenarios. Core features include:

- Comprehensive hardware configuration encompassing all necessary support circuits for the ADS9813/ADS9817. Provides external sampling clock and ADC reference voltage options; defaults to a 4.096V internal reference but can be configured for external reference input to meet higher drift performance requirements;

- Supports both single-ended and differential input configurations. Each ADC channel features two SMA input connectors, with the negative input connector capable of being shorted to GND via a jumper. This flexible design accommodates various input signal types, supporting input voltage ranges including ±12V and ±10V;

- Compatible with the TSWDC155EVM data acquisition card (sold separately), communicating with a computer via USB interface. When paired with TI's evaluation software, it enables data acquisition, histogram analysis, spectrum analysis, and linear analysis functions;

- Features a standard FMC connector on the PCB underside for connection to standard FPGA development boards, expanding test scenarios. Suitable for medium-to-low speed, high-precision data acquisition applications in industrial measurement and control, instrumentation, and similar fields.

ADC12DJ3200EVMCVAL: High-Speed Space-Grade ADC Evaluation Board

This evaluation board is specifically designed for assessing the ADC12DJ3200 QML-SP high-speed ADC. As a space-grade product, this device offers radiation resistance and is suitable for high-end applications in aerospace, defence, and similar sectors. Key features include:

- High-performance specifications: 12-bit resolution supporting dual-channel 4GSPS or single-channel 8GSPS sampling rates, equipped with a JESD204B interface for high-speed data transmission;

- Premium hardware configuration: Integrated on-board balun for AC-coupled analogue input. Clock sourced via on-board TI solution or externally. Incorporates LMK04832 ultra-low-noise clock jitter cleaner to ensure signal stability during high-speed sampling;

- Comprehensive power management utilises a 12V DC supply, incorporating multiple radiation-hardened voltage regulators including the TPS50601A-SP and TPS7A4501-SP to meet space-grade power requirements;

- Features a reserved FMC connector for interfacing with TI data acquisition cards or third-party FPGA development boards, enabling adaptation to high-end, high-speed data acquisition scenarios such as radar and satellite communications.

3. Hardware and Software Support

Hardware Design

The TI ADC evaluation board's hardware design prioritises testing convenience and performance stability. Core components include: ADC chips, power management modules (incorporating voltage regulators and power filtering circuits; select high-end models utilise radiation-hardened, low-noise regulators), clock modules (providing stable sampling clocks with flexible internal/external clock switching), and clock jitter eliminators (included in some models). Additionally, it features signal conditioning modules (analogue front-end filtering, gain conditioning, single-ended/differential conversion circuits) and interface modules (SMA input connectors, USB debugging ports). external clock sources, with some models integrating clock jitter removal), signal conditioning modules (analogue front-end filtering, gain conditioning, single-ended/differential conversion circuits), and interface modules (SMA input connectors, USB debugging ports, FMC connectors, test points). Selected models feature reserved 0402 component areas for adding first-order low-pass filter networks to further optimise signal quality.

Software Support

TI provides dedicated evaluation software (GUI) for each ADC evaluation board, supporting mainstream operating systems including Windows 10 64-bit. Core functionalities encompass: device parameter configuration (sampling rate, gain, input range, etc.), real-time data acquisition and display, data storage and export, performance metric analysis (calculation of quality factors such as SNR and THD, alongside histogram and spectrum analysis). Additionally, it supports secondary development using programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, and LabVIEW, enabling engineers to customise test solutions according to specific requirements. Certain models permit device control and data exchange via SPI interfaces.

4. Typical Application Scenarios

TI ADC evaluation boards find extensive application across scenarios requiring analogue signal acquisition and performance validation, including: industrial process measurement and control (verification of analogue signals such as temperature, pressure, and flow); medical equipment (ECG/EEG signal acquisition, high-precision physiological parameter testing); test instrumentation (ADC performance calibration and verification for oscilloscopes, multimeters, etc.); aerospace and defence (high-speed radar signal acquisition, space-grade equipment data conversion validation); automotive electronics (vehicle sensor signal acquisition, e.g., tyre pressure and fuel consumption sensors), and high-precision sensing measurement (electronic scales, strain gauge testing, etc.).

II. TI DAC Evaluation Board: A Critical Test Platform for Efficient Digital Signal Reconstruction

Complementing the TI ADC evaluation board, this standardised testing platform is specifically designed to evaluate the performance of TI's diverse DAC devices. It integrates DAC chips, power management, digital interfaces, analogue output conditioning, and clock circuits, enabling rapid conversion of digital signals into analogue signals. This facilitates verification of critical performance metrics such as output accuracy, linearity, and noise, empowering engineers to expedite device selection and system integration.

1. Core Positioning and Design Philosophy

The DAC evaluation board's core value lies in ‘efficient conversion and precise validation’. TI's design prioritises ‘compatibility, flexibility, and ease of use’. The board integrates all peripheral circuits required for normal DAC operation, eliminating the need for additional digital interface or analogue output circuit design, enabling rapid performance testing of DAC devices. Additionally, standard interfaces are provided for flexible integration with FPGA development boards, signal analysers, oscilloscopes, and other equipment, adapting to diverse testing scenarios. This enables engineers to rapidly validate digital-to-analogue conversion outcomes, thereby shortening project development cycles.

2. Representative Models and Core Features

TI DAC evaluation boards cover diverse DAC device types, including low-speed high-precision and high-speed high-resolution variants, as well as smart DACs and high-speed DACs. They accommodate varying power and frequency requirements for analogue outputs. Key representative models and their core features are outlined below:

DAC3283EVM: High-Speed Dual-Channel DAC Evaluation Board

This evaluation board assesses the DAC3283 high-speed DAC device. Featuring dual channels, 16-bit resolution, and an 800 MSPS sampling rate with high linearity, it is suitable for high-frequency signal generation applications. Core features include:

- Exceptional high-speed performance supporting 8-byte wide DDR LVDS data input, with integrated 1x/4x interpolation filter delivering outstanding linearity in high-frequency and intermediate-frequency output scenarios;

- On-board complementary chips, including the CDCE62005 clock generator/jitter cleaner providing stable clocking for the DAC, alongside the TRF3704 quadrature modulator (50MHz to 6GHz) capable of up-converting the DAC's I/Q output signals into real RF signals, enabling evaluation of complete RF transmitter solutions;

- Highly compatible, operable with the TSW1400EVM via a 1.25Gbps LVDS port for test pattern reception; onboard clock chip enables synchronisation between TSW1400EVM and DAC3283EVM;

- Equipped with an FMC-DAC adapter card for connection to standard FMC-interface FPGA development boards (such as Xilinx's latest FPGA evaluation boards), expanding test scenarios for high-frequency signal generation applications in communication systems, radar, and test instrumentation.

DAC38RF82EVM: Ultra-High-Speed PLL DAC Evaluation Board

Specifically designed for evaluating the DAC38RF82/83/85/93 series of high-speed DACs, these devices achieve sampling rates up to 9GSPS with high resolution and low phase noise, making them suitable for high-end RF signal generation scenarios. Core features include:

- High-performance specifications supporting dual-channel 14-bit resolution, sampling rates up to 9GSPS, integrated 1x-24x interpolation, and 6GHz/9GHz integrated PLLs to simplify system clock generation;

- Premium hardware configuration: On-board 2:1 impedance transformer providing AC-coupled differential outputs for balanced-to-unbalanced conversion. Integrated low-noise regulators (e.g., LP5907, TPS7A8101) ensure output signal stability;

- Exceptionally user-friendly, compatible with the TSW14J56EVM evaluation module. Utilises an intuitive software interface to control the DAC and onboard LMK04828 clock chip via SPI interface for parameter configuration and testing;

- Features a standard FMC connector for integration with third-party FPGA development boards, suitable for ultra-high-speed RF signal generation applications in radar, satellite communications, and high-end test instrumentation.

3. Hardware and Software Support

Hardware Design

The TI DAC evaluation board's hardware design centres on ‘signal restoration accuracy’ and ‘testing convenience’. Core hardware components include: the DAC chip; a power management module (integrating a low-noise regulator and power filtering circuit, with high-end models employing a high-precision power supply solution); a clock module (providing a stable conversion clock, with some models integrating a PLL and clock jitter cleaner); a digital interface module (supporting SPI, I2C, LVDS, JESD204, and other digital interfaces for varying data rates), analogue output conditioning module (filtering, amplification, impedance matching circuits; some models integrate modulators for RF signal output), and interface module (SMA output connectors, USB debugging port, FMC connectors, test points).

Software Support

TI provides dedicated evaluation software (GUI) for DAC evaluation boards, compatible with mainstream operating systems. Core functionalities include: DAC parameter configuration (conversion rate, output range, interpolation factor, etc.), digital signal source generation (custom waveforms, standard waveforms such as sine and square waves), real-time waveform display and monitoring, performance metric analysis (linearity, noise, harmonic distortion, etc.). Additionally, it supports integration with FPGA development boards, enabling custom digital signals to be sent via FPGA to validate DAC conversion performance. Certain models support secondary development, facilitating customised test solutions.

4. Typical Application Scenarios

TI DAC evaluation boards are extensively deployed in scenarios requiring digital-to-analogue signal conversion, including:

Communication systems (RF signal generation, baseband signal reconstruction, e.g., 5G, satellite communications)

Test instrumentation (signal generators, analogue signal output verification for calibration equipment) Industrial control (analogue control signal generation for inverters and servo systems), medical equipment (analogue signal output for ultrasound devices and patient monitors, e.g., waveform excitation signals), aerospace and defence (radar signal generation, analogue signal output for missile guidance systems), power management (voltage reference generation, power regulation signal verification), and automotive electronics (analogue signal output for in-vehicle displays and audio systems).

III. Common Features of ADC and DAC Evaluation Boards

- Standardised design: Both adopt TI's standardised evaluation board architecture, integrating all peripheral circuits required for normal device operation. They are ready to use out of the box, eliminating the need for complex additional circuitry and significantly lowering testing thresholds.

- Comprehensive Software and Hardware Support: Both include TI's official evaluation software (GUI) supporting parameter configuration, real-time testing, data acquisition, and analysis. Standard interfaces are reserved for flexible integration with test equipment and FPGA development boards, enabling secondary development;

- High Compatibility and Flexibility: Compatible with multiple TI ADC/DAC devices within the same series. Performance evaluation of various models can be achieved through simple device replacement or parameter configuration. Interface design is compatible with mainstream test equipment;

- Accelerating R&D cycles: Provides engineers with a one-stop platform for rapid component selection, performance validation, and prototype development, shortening the R&D timeline from device selection to system integration while mitigating design risks;

- Professional hardware optimisation: Incorporates low-noise, high-stability hardware design elements such as high-precision reference sources, low-noise voltage regulators, and clock jitter eliminators to ensure test result accuracy.