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DAC38RF82EVM: Unclear GUI Usage and CMODE4 Setup Assistance Required.

Danilo A.
Mastermind 34425 points

Part Number: DAC38RF82EVM

Hi Team,

Posting on behalf of our customer.

I recently purchased the DAC38RF82EVM and successfully installed the DAC38RF8X EVM GUI. However, I find that the DAC EVM user guide does not clearly explain how to use the GUI or how its settings correspond to the device configuration. In particular, I am unsure about the steps required to properly configure the DAC for different clocking modes.

My main objective is to operate the device in CMODE4 but I am unable to determine how to enable and verify this mode through the GUI. I would appreciate detailed guidance on how to navigate the GUI, set the appropriate registers or options, and confirm that the device is correctly running in CMODE4.

Additionally, if there are any specific prerequisites—such as required input signals, clock settings, or hardware configurations—needed to ensure proper operation in this mode, please let me know.

I am currently using a Virtex-7 FPGA in my setup. After connecting the DAC and launching the GUI, I am unable to interact with it options such as checkboxes, link configurations, and other settings are not responsive or cannot be modified.

Could you provide detailed steps on how to properly initialize and use the GUI? Specifically, I would like guidance on how to configure the device to operate in CMODE4 (On-Board VCXO Clock Mode).

Any instructions on required setup steps, proper connection sequence, or prerequisites for enabling GUI control would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Danilo

  • 0
    TI__Expert 3990 points

    Hey Danilo, 

    The EVM GUI does not seem to support setting this configuration up out of the box. Would the customer be open to running some Python scripts we have? These scripts are not released yet but are much more flexible. 

    I do not have any CMODE4 example scripts yet. Can the customer provide some information on how they would like to evaluate the DAC? Specifically what update rate they want to use the DAC at? This can help me in writing an example script that I can then send to the customer. 

    Regards, 

    Matt

  • 0 in reply to Matthew Kramer
    TI__Mastermind 34425 points

    H Matt,

    Thank you for your response. Please see our customer's feedback below.

    I'm open to running Python scripts.

    but, 

    I would like to explain my current setup and the issue I'm facing.

    I have recently purchased the DAC38RF82EVM and I'm using a Virtex-7 VC709 FPGA board instead of the TSW14J56 evaluation module.

    While reviewing the DAC user guide, I noticed that most of the configuration steps are intended for use with the TSW14J56 along with HSDC Pro. However, in my case, I need to interface and operate the DAC using my Virtex-7 VC709 board.

    Currently, I am facing an issue where the GUI does not allow me to modify or apply DAC configuration settings as required for my setup.
    or
    Whether it is valid to directly write register values in the “Low Level View” tab and upload that configuration file for standalone operation?

    My intended configuration is as follows:

    • DAC clock frequency: 5000 MHz
      FPGA ref clock : 156.25Mhz
    • Mode: Single, 8-bit, real input
    • Lanes (L): 8
    • F = 1, K = 2, S = 8, N = N' = 8

    Additionally, I am unclear about:

    • How to correctly assign SYNC, SYSREF, PLL Configurations and JESD lane pins

    Since I am using a third-party FPGA I cannot use HSDC Pro, I would like to know on how to properly configure and operate the DAC38RF82EVM in this setup.

    If possible, could you please share detailed steps or relevant documentation covering:

    • How to generate and load configuration files without HSDC Pro
    • How to interface the DAC with a custom FPGA platform 

    Thank you for your support.

    Regards,

    Danilo

  • 0 in reply to Danilo A.
    TI__Mastermind 34425 points

    Hi Matt,

    We would like to request an update to our customer's inquiry.

    Regards,

    Danilo