LMX2820EVM: Not getting lock for LMX2820 when tried for Instant Calibration

Part Number: LMX2820EVM
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: LMX2820

We are trying to implement Instant Calibration for the LMX2820 and followed the procedure described in the application note.

After completing the steps in Section 2.2, we read Register R75 and observed that rb_DBLR_CAL_DONE (bit 12) was set to 1, indicating that the calibration process had completed successfully.

Following Section 2.3, we were able to read and extract the generated LUT values without any issues.

We then proceeded with Section 2.4, writing all the generated LUT values back to the device as described in the application note.

However, after programming the LUT values, when we attempted to generate an output frequency of 5684 MHz, the PLL did not lock.

Could you please help us understand:

  1. If there are any additional steps required after writing the LUT values?
  2. Whether there are any specific register settings that need to be verified for Instant Calibration mode?

Any guidance on debugging the lock failure would be greatly appreciated. If required i can attach the registers that we are writing and LUT Values that were generated.

  • Hi there,

    Usage of InstCal does not need the procedures in the application note.

    To use InstCal, follow the following procedure.

    Initialization register setting
    1. Set DBLBUF_PLL_EN, DBLBUF_CHDIV_EN, DBLBUF_OUTBUF_EN, DBLBUF_OUTMUX_EN = 1
    2. Set DBLR_CAL_EN = 0; INSTCAL_SKIP_ACAL = 0
    3. If VCO doubler is required, set INSTCAL_DBLR_EN = 1, otherwise set this bit to 0
    4. Set INSTCAL_DLY = T x fosc (in MHz) / 2^CAL_CLK_DIV, where T = 2.5 x CBIASVCO / 0.47µF. CBIASVCO is the bypass capacitor at pin 3
    5. Configure other registers prepare to lock to 5.65GHz without any calibration assist
    6. Set INSTCAL_PLL_NUM = 2^32 x (PLL_NUM / PLL_DEN)
    Programming
    7. Vcc power up LMX2820
    8. Program all the registers, LMX2820 should lock to 5.65GHz
    InstCal calibration
    9. Program INSTCAL_EN = 1
    9.5 run Index routine
    10. Program R0 (with FCAL = 1), calibration will begin
    11. Wait 100ms
    12. Program R0 (with FCAL = 0) to complete the calibration
    13. If LD pin did not turn HIGH, program RESET = 1 to reset LMX2820. After LMX2820 is reset, repeat Step 8 to 12
    Changing VCO frequency
    14. Program INSTCAL_PLL_NUM, PLL_N, PLL_NUM and PLL_DEN (if their value have change)
    15. Program R0 (with FCAL = 0) to change VCO frequency

    9.5 Index routine
    1. Program R106[10] = 1 (0X6A 0400)
    2. Program R107[5:0] = 0 (0x6B 0000)
    3. Program R108 = 0 (0x6C 0000)
    4. Program R109 = 0 (0x6D 0000)
    5. Program R106[9:0] = 514 (0x6A 0602)
    6. Program R106[11] = 1 (0x6A 0E02)
    7. Program R106[11] = 0 (0x6A 0602)
    8. Repeat step 5 to 7 for R106[9:0] = 515 to 519
    9. Program R106[10] = 0 (0x6A 0207)

  • Hi,

    Thanks for the Reply and this procedure is working for us.