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IWR6843: RTRIM Values and the APLL -- What do all the fields mean / do?

Part Number: IWR6843

The RTRIM API User's Guide shows us how to change the value of the RTRIM value within TI millimeter wave devices. It suggests the following:

rlRfApllSynthBwControl_t ctrlArgs;
int32_t retVal;
memset(&ctrlArgs,0,sizeof(rlRfApllSynthBwControl_t));

ctrlArgs.synthIcpTrim = 1;
ctrlArgs.synthRzTrim = 8;
ctrlArgs.apllIcpTrim = 0x26;
ctrlArgs.apllRzTrimLpf = 0x9;
ctrlArgs.apllRzTrimVco = 6;

retVal = (int32_t)rlRfApllSynthBwCtlConfig(RL_DEVICE_MAP_INTERNAL_BSS, &ctrlArgs);
if (retVal < 0)
{
System_printf("An Error Occured!");
}

System_printf("Trim: %d\n",rtrim_get());

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Question:

Can someone tell me what the fields:

ctrlArgs.synthIcpTrim
ctrlArgs.synthRzTrim ;
ctrlArgs.apllIcpTrim 
ctrlArgs.apllRzTrimLpf 
ctrlArgs.apllRzTrimVco 

are doing? What do they represent / why should we change them? Also -- why are these values suggested? 

Thanks! 

  • Hello Alex,

         These are APLL parameters. mmWave sensor has APLL to generate high frequency clocks in the system. PLL has internal VCO that generate 14.4GHz frequency. 

    In some cases, these frequency and it's harmonics (28.8GHz) could emit spurious emissions, to reduce thiese emissions there are trims provided. These are trimming bits related to VCO, charge pump, low pass filter parameters.. 

    To understand bit more implication of these trimms you could refer to below appnote section 5.3.

    https://www.ti.com/lit/an/spracp3c/spracp3c.pd

    RTRIM update procedure in the below link. 

    https://dev.ti.com/tirex/explore/node?node=A__AOOMiif1IwuhC4VXPf18sA__com.ti.mmwave_industrial_toolbox__VLyFKFf__LATEST

    These trims helps to pass the world wide regulatory compliance limits. 

    Thanks and regards,

    CHETHAN KUMAR Y.B.

        

  • Yes I have seen that but I would like to know what each of these fields do so I can predict performance changes. For example, what happens when I change ctrlArgs.synthRzTrim ? How is that different from ctrlArgs.apllRzTrimVco? What effect does changing ctrlArgs.apllRzTrimLpf have? Etc. If I knew what each field was controlling, I could answer these questions.

  • Alex Byrley,

       These are APLLs loop control parameters, they are selected after careful study of PLL design optimization, considering best from the emission, Phase noise, PLL locking behavior, transient/steady state performance etc. over process, voltage and temperature on large number of parts. And they are not recommended to change by the customers. 

    We do not recommended changes to these values. If there are issues relating to the PLL/Synthesizer that doesn't meet any of the Radar system parameter let us know. 

    Thanks and regards,

    CHETHAN KUMAR Y.B.