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DAC38RF80EVM: Help with MATLAB interface DAC38RF80EVM + TSW14J56

Part Number: DAC38RF80EVM
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DAC38RF80

Dear Experts

I require some assistance with communicating with the DAC38RF80EVM + TSW14J56 in terms of producing two tones. 

I have managed to find the relevant MATLAB files.

1) I managed to connect to the device using matlab in the following steps: MATLAB --> HSDC (This is where I can see the created Tone) ----> (HSDC to DAC38RF) (Is this step necessary)

2) If this step is necessary, after pressing the "Send button" on HSDC, where can I process this data straight onto the board to see the signal in my RF wave analyser. What settings need compiling on the DAC38RF software to download the waveform from MATLAB to the DAC?

3) How do I create a signal two tones using matlab example:

Channel 1: sin(2 Pi f1 t) + sin(2 Pi f2 t)
Channel 1: sin(2 Pi f1 t + Phi) + sin(2 Pi f2 t + Phi)

 I see there is a path for collecting the excel traces which is not what I exactly want. Maybe you have an idea how I can change this and add the correct signals.

  • Mohammed,

    Why not use the I/Q Multitone Generator tool in the bottom left of the HSDC pro gui to generate a two-tone test pattern. See example attached.

    Regards,

    Jim

  • Hi Jim

    Thanks for the reply. 

    I could do this way but MATLAB interface speeds things up. 
    Do you have experience with Matlab? If so, how would I complete step number 2? 

    Regards


    Mohammed

  • Mohammed, 

    There are Matlab examples available on how to use the Automation functions in HSDC Pro. Please refer to the following locations for the examples and manual.

    C:\Program Files (x86)\Texas Instruments\High Speed Data Converter Pro\HSDCPro Automation DLL\Manual and Examples\Automation DLL Matlab Example

    C:\Program Files (x86)\Texas Instruments\High Speed Data Converter Pro\HSDCPro Automation DLL\Manual and Examples\HSDCPro Automation DLL Manual.doc

    Regards,

    Jim

  • Hi

    I will try explai my issue further, 

    I have looked at the documentation related to MATLAB this isnt the issue. 

    The issue is figuring out where the signal goes after pressing "RUN" on matlab. In this case, AFTER pressing RUN, the signal goes to HSDC Pro where you can see the produced signal.

     Step one  Step two

    At this point the signal is generated using MATLAB which is good. But the next stage is where the problem lies.

     The "send button" should essentially send the signal to the DAC for me to use the signal as an output. 

    I have connected a RF spectrum analyser to the output of DAC38RF80 (J7) but can not see this signal produced on MATLAB.

    The manual goes through a step of using the DAC38RF80 software but the manual is not clear how the produced signal from (MATLAB or HSDC) can be "visualised on the output". 

    I hope you understand my question.  

  • Mohammed,

    Are you clicking on the "RESET DAC JESD CORE & SYSREF TRIGGER" button on the DAC GUI after sending the data from the TSW14J56EVM? What is the status of the 8 status LED's on the TSW14J56EVM after doing this reset? If this still does not work, try the setup using the steps in the User's Guide to make sure you can get a valid output before trying any automaton software.

    Regards,

    Jim 

  • Hi Jim

    I am clicking on the Reset DAC JESD CORE button. 
    I  have already followed the Users guide in detail a few times. The question is, 

    The waveform from the HSDC software should download straight onto the board for me to see on the RF Spectrum analyser, correct?

    Is it possible if we could get onto a call and go through my concerns? 

    Mohammed

  • Mohammed,

    I have no time available to do a call right now. Supporting to many customers. Can you get an output using the instructions per the User's Guide? When you send click "send" in the HSDC Pro GUI, this just sets up the FPGA to get ready to send the K28.5 characters. Nothing is sent until SYNC goes low from the DAC. After this occurs, the K28.5 characters are sent and the CGS cycle starts.  

    I am trying to figure out if maybe you have a hardware issue. Once the hardware checks out, we can pursue the Matlab issue.

    Regards,

    Jim

  • To confirm about the user manual, I have managed to send 1 tone from HSDC Pro onto the DAC38RF software.
    I will explain further. 
    You have explained that when "SEND" is pressed, the K28.5 characters are ready to be sent until the SYNC goes low.

    How do I make the SYNC go low following the "SEND" process.

    And how would I view this data on an RF spectrum analyser. 
     STEP 1

     Step 2, button is pressed. 

     Step 3. The update NCO button is pressed for both DAC A and DAC B
    If this step can be skipped with an easier way to download the data coming from HSDC Pro that would be great. 

    Could you please share me how this would be done. 

    MATLAB 

  • If using the NCO, you must press UPDATE NCO after all NCO settings have been entered and before doing step 2. After hitting send in HSDC Pro, the SYNC will now go low after doing step 2. It is not required to use the NCO so you may want to skip using it until you have your link running. The only way to monitor that the SYNC went low is either using the Altera signal tap tool witht the FPGA JTAG interface or monitor the SYNC signal on the DAC EVM with a scope. After step 2, you should see one blinking LED (TX CLK) on the TSW14J56EVM. If not, the link will never get established.

    Regards,

    Jim

  • Ok thats great. Thanks for making this clear. 


    I have now made the TX CLK LED blink which is a good sign. It is this next step where there is a misunderstanding to my original question.
    1) Send is pressed on HSDC Pro

    2) Clicking on Reset DAC JESD & SYSREF makes the LED TX CLK blink (which now works and is blinking)

    3) How do I see this data on the RF spectrum analyser I have connected. What do I need to press for this to be viewed? 

  • The TSW14J56EVM has another LED called TX SYNC. This should be off after step 2. If not, then SYNC is still stuck low and there will be no output. What is the status of this LED?

  • When TX CLK is flashing, TX SYNC is OFF. 
    Could you please share how to now process this data onto the RF spectrum analyser? 

  • Are you not seeing an output? Send screen shots of all tabs from both GUI's and I will take a look at them. Not sure why you are not seeing an output. Make sure the 5V supplies connected to both boards can source at least 4A. 

  •  1) HSDC Pro

     2) Quick start page DAC38RFx

     3) DAC A

     4) DAC B

     5) Overview

     6) clocking. I am not using an external clock mode but rather would like to use the On board. I have tried it by unticking the "External clock select"

     7) Serdes

     8) JESD block

     9) PAP

     10) Alarm monitoring

    Even without using the NCO, I should be seeing a signal after pressing the reset button correct? 

    Maybe some settings are wrong and need changing. 

  • Everything you show is correct. Did you click on the "Not in Reset" button twice followed by "Load Default" after powering up the DAC EVM? Does jumper JP10 have the shunt installed? How much current can your two supplies provide? I would also double check the 6144MHz clock source. Please try the NCO only test described in the attachment. This test will verify the DAC EVM is getting the correct power and clock signal. The TSW14J56EVM is not needed for this test.

    2570.DAC38RF82_NCO_Only_Test.pptx    

  • Thanks for sending the powerpoint across.
    These settings for my board now works. I am not sure why the tutorial on the manual is not working for me. I probably went through this approximately 50 times. JP10 has the shunt. 


    Following the settings on the powerpoint, this is the signal I am receiving on J7. 

    I will attempt to do this again. Is there any differences to the instructions you provided on the powerpoint compared to whats available on the manual. I see the 2's compliment changed to offset binary which made the signal appear. 

  • The NCO only test requires the input format to be set to offset binary. When sending data from the TSW board, this is always set to 2's comp.

  • Hi Jim

    Thank you for sending the powerpoint across. Now I need to figure out how HSDC pro will work alongside this.
     1) First settings

     2) Second settings

     3) The waveform

    I have used the settings you gave me but I am getting two signal tones at the output.

    - Am I not supposed to just get the one at 4000MHz?

  • I have figured this out. 

    This is from the NCO settings from both DAC A and DAC B.

    When I try send the signal from HSDC pro I am receiving the following message:

     1) First

     2) 

    Pressing the reset button should show the signal on the output. 

    The method of sending the signal from (DAC A and DAC B demonstrated on the powerpoint is fine)

    I dont know why when I send the tones from HSDC it doesnt load onto the DAC output. 

  • Mohammed,

    You need to disable constant input and change the data format back to 2's comp. Since you have the NCO set to 4G, you are not likely to see the 99KHz that HSDC Pro will add to this NCO. I would suggest sending a much higher tone, say around 100MHz, which will be easier to observe.

    Regards,

    Jim 

  • Hi Jim

    Thanks for the info:

    Just to confirm what Ive done, 

     1) HSDC settings

     2) Mixer path AB is selected as well as NCO path AB for ( DAC A)

     3 ) When I select NCO path AB the signal disappears from the output. I am also assuming the signal is incorrect. 

     4 ) signal with the above settings

     5) No signal following pressing of the NCO path AB setting to ON. 

  • Early screen shots show the DAC sampling at 8800 and now you have this set to 6144. I am confused by your changing of the sample rate. Is the DAC PLL locked? What alarms are you getting? What is your target sample rate, 8800 or 6144?

  • Yes so the sampling rate of 6144 is what I'm following using the user guide. This was changed from 8800 to 6144 deliberately to see an output. 

    Is it possible to set up a call with yourself at some point next week. Preferably on Zoom or Teams?

    If you are not available, possibly someone from your team who is also experienced in this DAC?

    I have sent you a private message.

    It would be highly appreciated. 

  • I did not see your private message. Do you have WebEx?

  • Hi Jim
    I have sent a message to you privately regarding WebEx details Slight smile

  • Hi Jim.

    Im not sure if this query has got left behind. Did you manage to see your inbox? 

  • Mohammed,

    I have been on vacation. Where did we leave off on this?

    Jim

  • I am going to close this post as we will take this off line.