AD9208 no-OS Example Project

The AD9208-DUAL-EBZ is an evaluation board designed for demonstrating the synchronization of dual AD9208 analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) using the HMC7044 clock synthesizer. It provides integrated clocking solutions not only for the ADCs but also for an associated Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), operating on a single external 12V supply. It interfaces with an FPGA development board, such as the VCU118, through an FMC+ (Vita57.4) connector. Leveraging Analog Devices’ JESD204B IP framework, the board ensures efficient data transfer for high-speed applications while utilizing low SWaP high efficiency power delivery using Silent Switcher technology. This makes it suitable for high-speed data conversion, signal processing, and wideband communication systems requiring integration with the VCU118 platform.

Applications

Diversity multiband, multimode digital receivers
3G/4G
Electronic test and measurement systems
Phased array radar and electronic warfare
DOCSIS 3.0 CMTS upstream receive paths
HFC digital reverse path receivers

Hardware Specifications

To establish hardware connections between the AD9208-DUAL-EBZ evaluation board and the VCU118 FPGA board, the following interfaces are essential:

FMC+ Connector: Ensures physical connectivity and supports high-bandwidth data exchange.
JESD204B Protocol: Links the AD9208 board with the VCU118 via serial connections using SERDOUT0± to SERDOUT7±.
SPI Communication: Configures the AD9208, allowing control over operating parameters and settings.
GPIO: Handles power management tasks.
AXI Interfaces: Facilitate data transfers within the FPGA, supporting high-throughput operations.
UART Connections: Established for communication with IIOD applications, aiding in remote control and diagnostics.

To ensure stable operation, power delivery and management are handled via specific GPIO configurations.

Pin Category	Pin Names	Description
Digital Input/Output	DIGITAL_CAL, SCL, SDA, LDAC	Pins used for digital control and configuration.
Decoupling and Power	C7A, C8A, C178	Capacitors used for voltage stabilization and noise reduction.
Signal Integrity	DIG_OUT, DIG_CLK	Pins that ensure signal reliability across connections.
Analog Input	J2A, J2B, T1A, T1B	Inputs for analog signals, including amplifiers and associated components.
FMC Connector	GND, R1, T1, OUT, IN	Pins used for interfacing different components through an FMC connector.

No-OS Build Setup

Please see: https://wiki.analog.com/resources/no-os/build

No-OS Supported Examples

The initialization data used in the examples is taken out from the Project Source Data Path.

IIO example

The IIO example code for the EVAL-AD9208 project establishes multiple components necessary for data acquisition using the Industrial I/O (IIO) framework. It configures two AD9208 ADC devices, setting up JESD204 interfaces for high-speed data transfer and DMAC for data movement. These components connect to data capture pipelines, utilizing DMA to store acquired data in DDR memory. The code also initializes IIO interfaces to enable remote communication and control through libiio clients. The setup involves UART connectivity, buffer management, and data transfer processes. Inputs are configuration structures and parameters tailored for hardware, while outputs are ADC samples available via IIO clients.

This project is actually an IIOD demo for the AD9208-DUAL-EBZ evaluation board. The project launches the IIOD server on the board, so that the user may connect to it to the IIO Oscilloscope Client app. Using the IIO Oscilloscope, the user can read samples from the device.

If you are not familiar with ADI IIO Application, please take a look at: IIO No-OS

If you are not familiar with ADI IIO Oscilloscope Client, please take a look at: IIO Oscilloscope

The IIO Application together with the no-OS IIO AD9208 driver take care of all the back-end logic needed to setup the IIO server.

In order to build the IIO example project, make sure you have the following configuration in the Makefile :

# Configure the example you want to enable by setting 'y' for enable and 'n' for disable
IIOD = y

No-OS Supported Platforms

Xilinx

Used Hardware

AD9208-DUAL-EBZ
Xilinx VCU118 FPGA Board

Connections

The AD9208-DUAL-EBZ evaluation board connects to the Xilinx VCU118 FPGA board through the FMC HSPC connector. The JESD204B interface of the AD9208 eval board is connected through serial links (SERDOUT0± to SERDOUT7±) to the VCU118 board for data transmission. Configuration of the AD9208 is facilitated via SPI, enabling specific parameter settings. Power management on the AD9208 board is managed through GPIO connections.

Additionally, the VCU118 FPGA board utilizes AXI buses to facilitate data transfer between the ADC and the processing elements on the FPGA. For communication with the IIOD application, UART connections are established. This setup is essential for applications involving real-time signal processing and data acquisition.

This table outlines the critical connections and their functions for both the AD9208-DUAL-EBZ evaluation board and the VCU118 board, ensuring seamless integration into high-speed data conversion and signal processing applications.

Connection Interface	Board	Description
JESD204B Serial Links (P2)	AD9208-DUAL-EBZ	Utilizes SERDOUT0± to SERDOUT7± interfaces for data connection with the FPGA. Configures link parameters including lanes (L), converters (M), and octets per frame (F) based on application needs. Uses JESD204B protocol.
SPI (P2)	AD9208-DUAL-EBZ	Device configuration via SPI write to set various operating modes and parameters necessary for ADC operation. Includes enabling features such as NCO switching and gain adjustment.
GPIO (P2)	AD9208-DUAL-EBZ	Employs GPIO for power management and selection of specific device states or channels. Critical for operational accuracy in signal processing applications.
AXI Connection (P2)	VCU118	Establishes data streams through AXI buses for communication between the AD9208 ADC outputs and FPGA processing units. Facilitates data transfer crucial for high-throughput environments.
UART Communication	VCU118	Supports interactions with IIOD applications via UART channels. Essential for remote controls and diagnostics in data acquisition systems.
FMC + HSPC Connector (J22)	VCU118	Enables high-speed data exchange between FMC cards and the FPGA. Provides 160 single-ended or 80 differential signals, as well as multiple clock and power connections crucial for board integration.
Ethernet Connector (J10)	VCU118	Provides network connectivity vital for board-based communications and data transactions across networked systems.
USB-to-UART Bridge (J4)	VCU118	Converts USB data signals into UART protocol for direct FPGA communication, facilitating serial data flow essential for debugging and setup processes.
Power Input Connector (J15)	VCU118	Connects power supply to the evaluation board. Ensures stable power delivery necessary for dependable board operations in various conditions.

Build Command

cp <SOME_PATH>/system_top.xsa .
# to delete current build
make reset PLATFORM=xilinx
# to build the IIO project
make EXAMPLE=iio PLATFORM=xilinx
# to flash the code
make run