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EVM430-FR6047: Has anyone successfully used the TIDA-01486 amplifier with metal pipes?

Anthony Davidson
Prodigy 170 points
Part Number: EVM430-FR6047
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: TIDA-01486,

Tool/software:

I am using the EVM430-FR4067 and so far I have been able to get good measurements with clamp-on transducers on PVC pipes. However, if I used the evaluatiob board on a stainless steel or copper pipe, I just can't get a good receive signal. As a result, someone pointed me to the TIDA-01486 amplifier reference design. I have had some PCBs fabricated using the TIDA-01486 reference design fles and am about to order some parts to build it. But I would like to know if anyone has successfully used the TIDA-01486 design with clamp-on transducers?

I have a stainless steel pipe whose O.D.= 33.4mm, I.D.= 26.64mm, pipe wall thickness = 3.38mm

I have a copper pipe whose O.D.= 28.58mm, I.D.=26.8mm, pipe wall thickness = 0.89mm

  • 0
    Prodigy 170 points

    I've got a couple of follow up questions:

    I only want to use 1 pair of transducers with the TIDA-01486 amplifier design. I am assuming that I can do this and all the should be required is controlling the switching signals, Sx, and the power down signals, PDx, accordingly, Can you please verify that this assumptions is true?

    IS there some code to load on the evaluation board to control the amplifier board? The user guide provide a link to Software files but the link seems to point to software that just operates the evm by itself, which I already have. Can you tell me where to get the software please?

  • 0
    TI__Genius 10771 points

    Hi,

    I will check tomorrow as i am too busy today. Sorry and Thanks.

    Zoey

  • 0
    TI__Mastermind 46765 points

    Hi,

    TIDA-01486 design can be used for large pipe application such as agricultural irrigation canals. The clamp on meter with copper pipe is not its target application. I am not sure if this design can work on your application. 

    Well, in theory, using a higher excitation voltage can counteract the attenuation of the ultrasonic signal from the copper pipe. You can always give a try on it. 

    Best regards,

    Cash Hao

  • 0 in reply to Cash Hao11
    TI__Intellectual 2190 points

    Hello,

    Would you please offer some insight around the follow up questions?

    'I only want to use 1 pair of transducers with the TIDA-01486 amplifier design. I am assuming that I can do this and all the should be required is controlling the switching signals, Sx, and the power down signals, PDx, accordingly, Can you please verify that this assumptions is true?

    IS there some code to load on the evaluation board to control the amplifier board? The user guide provide a link to Software files but the link seems to point to software that just operates the evm by itself, which I already have. Can you tell me where to get the software please?'

    Thank you!

    Matthew

  • 0 in reply to Matthew Olinde
    TI__Mastermind 46765 points

    Hi,

    It is okay to use only one pair of transducers with TIDA-01486 design. 

    There is no code for it. I think the original code only controls the MUX and the amplifier is always power on. So there is no need to control the amplifier. I you want to control the amplifier, you can add few line in the code to control a pin to enable the amplifier before ADC capture function get called. And disable the amplifier after the function finished. 

    Best regards,

    Cash Hao

  • 0 in reply to Cash Hao11
    Prodigy 170 points

    Are you sure there is no code to operate the TIDA-01486 amplifier?

    The TIDA-01486 amplifier board plugs into the booster-pack headers on the EVM. There are two control signals PD1 and PD2 that power up and down the op amps to control the two pairs of transducers.There are another 4 control signals, S1, S2, S3, S4, that manage switching the transducer paths. How are these control signals managed without software to operate them? Is the user supposed to develop their own code?

  • 0 in reply to Anthony Davidson
    Prodigy 170 points

    Another follow up question.. How do I connect the TIDA-01486 signals on J3 to the EVM?

    The TIDA-01486 user guide page 19 just says to connect the the transmit and receive signals from the EVM to the TIDA-01486 through connector J3, but it doesn't explicitly say how to do this.

    There are only 2 signals available on the EVM at J8 - CH0 and CH1. But On J3 of the TIDA-01486 there are 4 signals - EVM_CH0_OUT and -IN, and EVM_CH1_out and _IN.

    Do I use J8 on the EVM to connect to J3 on the TIDA-01486, or do I have remove parts and solder wires to the EVM?

    Can you please provide details on how to make this connection?

  • 0 in reply to Anthony Davidson
    TI__Mastermind 46765 points

    Hi,

    I looked into the schematic again. For the original code, there might have the code to control the amplifiers. But I could not find the code now. So, by checking the schematic, it is okay to enable all the amplifiers without control. Only need to control S1 to S4 will be enough to get the receive signal. Besides, you only need one pair of transducer, you can also save the S1 to S4 control with the MUX on your application. 

    For the J3 connect to EVM, jumping wires would be the solution. 

    Best regards,

    Cash Hao

  • 0 in reply to Cash Hao11
    Prodigy 170 points

    Thank you for your response.

    It looks like we'll have to modify the EVM430-FR6047 code ourselves to to use the TIDA-01486 amplifier board. Our firmware person will be back from vacation next week so we'll have to see if he can do this.

    The connection from the TIDA-01486 J3 to the EVM is still not clear. I have created a PDF file with details on how I think the connection should be made. Can you please review it and tell me if my assumption is correct? If it is not correct, can you please provide better details on how to connect TIDA-01486 J3 to the EVM.

    Connection_TIDA-01486_to_EVM430-FR6047.pdf

  • 0 in reply to Anthony Davidson
    Prodigy 170 points

    Please confirm that these components are R16, R17, C11, and C12.

    EVM430-FR6047_RemoveComponents.pdf

  • 0 in reply to Anthony Davidson
    TI__Mastermind 46765 points

    Hi,

    Yes. Your solution is correct to remove the R16, R17, C11, and C12 on the EVM board. 

    Best regards,

    Cash Hao

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