RENESAS RC32504A Evaluation Board User Manual

RENESAS RC32504A Evaluation Board

The RC32504A / RC22504A evaluation board (EVB) is designed to help users evaluate the RC32504A and RC22504A Clock Generators, also known as FemtoClock 2. The RC32504A supports Jitter Attenuator and Synthesizer functionality, and the RC22504A supports only Synthesizer functionality.
When the evaluation board (EVB) is connected via USB to the user’s computer running the Renesas’ RICBox™ Software, FemtoClock 2 can be configured and programmed to generate frequencies with best-in-class performance. FemtoClock 2 has four output pairs that can be programmed to CMOS style, LVDS style, or HCSL style outputs.

Features

• Develop configurations with Renesas RICBox software and upload to the EVB through USB
• Can be powered from the USB connection
• EVB is a combination evaluation with Renesas Low Noise power supply regulators and Renesas Low Noise fan-out buffer
• Clock output pairs are AC coupled and can be connected directly to test equipment through coax cables.

Board Contents

• Renesas RS32504A ultra-low noise synthesizer and jitter attenuator
• Renesas RAA214020 low-noise power supply regulators
• Renesas 8P34S1208I low-noise fan-out buffer
• FTDI FT232HQ USB-to-I2C bridge

Functional Description

Connecting the Board to a Computer

• The evaluation board can be connected to a computer via the USB connector (see Figure 4). This board has a USB-C type connector. The on-board USB-to-I2C bridge (FTDI chip) handles the data communication, and the +5V in the USB bus powers the on-board regulators. Using a bench power supply with the VDD jacks is optional.
• The board can fully function with just the USB cable to a computer.
• Renesas’ RICBox Software can control the RC32504A on the board. RICBox is compatible with both the on-board USB-to-I2C bridge and the Aardvark adapter. RICBox uses a software wizard for entering the overall configuration and has several tools to fine tune the configuration (e.g., block diagram GUI).
• The Bus Source connector J30 can be used to select the source of the communication bus. The bus will be I2C for most communication but can also be SPI for specific tests. Pins 1 and 2 in J30 are SDA and SCL from the FTDI chip. Pins 3 and 4 pass the SDA and SCL to the I2C level shifter. To use the on-board FTDI chip, install jumpers on pins 1-3 and 2-4. The board will be shipped with these jumpers installed. Theoretically, any I2C adapter can be connected to pins 3 and 4 for SDA and SCL.
• Pin 6 can be used as the ground connection for the I2C connection. Pins 3, 4, 5, and 6 are arranged such that an Aardvark connector can be plugged onto pins 3, 4, 5, and 6 only (see Figure 5).
• The Bus Type connector J33 is added to allow bypassing the I2C Level Shifter in case the connection type is SPI. For default I2C operation, jumpers are installed on pins 1-3 and 2-4.

In Figure 14 the Aardvark adapter communicates with the RC32504A and the FTDI bridge chip is disconnected. USB can still be used to power the board.

Board Power Supply

• The power source for each VDD pin can be selected with jumpers. The voltage for each pin, except one, is 1.8V. The exception is VDDD, which can be powered with 1.8V or 3.3V.
• The power source can be either an on-board voltage regulator or the VDD_J jack. Most power source selectors have only two choices, 1.8V from the on-board 1.8V regulator or connect to the VDD_J J21 jack. The jack can connect to a bench supply; this connection can be useful, for example, to measure supply current into pins.
• In Figure 2 the source for the pin VDDXO is chosen to be the on-board 1.8V regulator. The two pins on the bottom are both connected to the VDDXO pin through a power filter. The top left pin is connected to the on-board 1.8V regulator and the top right pin is connected to the VDD_J jack. `

In Figure 3 the source for the pin VDDD is chosen to be the on-board 3.3V regulator. J25 allows three choices for VDDD: 1.8V, 3.3V, or the VDD_J jack. The three pins on the right are all connected to the VDDD pin through a power filter. The top left pin is connected to the on-board 3.3V regulator, the mid left pin is connected to the on-board 1.8V regulator, and the bottom left pin is connected to the VDD_J Jack.

Differential Output Termination Selectors

Each of the four differential output pairs can be programmed to LVDS, HCSL, or CMOS logic type. CMOS is a single-ended logic type and the output pair will essentially be two CMOS outputs of the same frequency. HCSL is the most versatile output because it can be customized. The HCSL driver is a current driver that simply turns a current on and off. Standard HCSL turns 15mA on and off to make 750mVpp swing in 50Ω termination.
The RC32504A HCSL driver can be programmed to drive 4mA to 19mA levels. When AC coupled, the HCSL driver can be compatible with LVDS, CML, and LVPECL signal swing requirements. Because of the output architecture, it needs a DC coupled termination to ground to drive the current into. The circuit at each output splits the termination into a DC part and an AC coupled RF part. The RF part is connected to the SMA edge connectors of each output and the DC part is controlled by the termination selectors.

Figure 4 shows J36 for applying DC load to OUT0. When HCSL is selected and the on-chip termination is disabled, a jumper must be placed to provide the required DC load to ground. No jumper is needed for LVDS or LVCMOS, and when the on-chip termination is enabled with HCSL.
Separating DC load from AC coupled RF load helps increase the signal swing on the SMA connectors for better noise measurements. This method can also be used in the end application when the receiver input has on-chip termination, is AC coupled, and a large signal swing is required.

Miscellaneous Selectors

• J32 pins 2, 4, and 6 connect together to the OE pin of the RC32504A. Apply a jumper on pins 1 and 2 to pull the OE pin high or on 5 and 6 to pull the OE pin low. The RC32504A can be programmed to pull high or low on the chip so in most cases no jumpers are needed on J32.
• A pull-up or pull-down jumper can also be used to latch a specific programmed configuration at power up.
• When experimenting with SPI, a jumper can be applied to pins 3 and 4 to pass the CS (Chip Select) signal from the FTDI chip to the RC32504A.
• J34 can be used to latch a specific level on the LOCK pin at power up. J35 can be used to latch a specific level on the SDA pin at power up.
• Both are used to select a specific pre-programmed configuration. It is not needed to program OTP of the RC32504A on the evaluation board. Every possible configuration can be set up with RICBox in volatile registers. It is not recommended to attempt to program the OTP memory because of the risk that a mistake or error can destroy the chip.
• J48 can be used to select the input source for the 8P34S1208I fan-out buffer. The CLK0 input pair on the buffer is connected to OUT0 of the FemtoClock 2, and the CLK1 input pair is connected to SMAs J46 and J47. By default, the jumper is on CLK0 for passing OUT0 of FC2 through the buffer. Changing the jumper to CLK1 and another output can be passed through the buffer by connecting a pair of coax cables from that output to the buffer input SMA pair.
• The CLK0 input is DC coupled to OUT0 on FC2 to demonstrate a connection with minimum components. OUT0 on FC2 must be configured as LVDS for this to work properly. The 8P34S1208I is an LVDS fan-out buffer.
• The CLK1 input is AC coupled, using the buffer VREF for DC bias, to make that input compatible with any differential swing applied to the buffer input SMA pair.

On-Board Crystal

The evaluation board is assembled with a crystal. The default frequency for the crystal is 60MHz but Renesas can ship the board with a different crystal frequency to better match the specific application where the RC32504A will be used. The default 60MHz crystal is best suited for jitter attenuator applications. Synthesizer applications with output frequencies like 156.25MHz or 312.5MHz work better with a 62.5MHz crystal, or even better, with a 78.125MHz crystal. The crystal footprint U1 has a universal shape to allow assembly of 3.2 × 2.5 mm and 2.5 × 2.0 mm size crystals.

Bypassing the Fan-Out Buffer at OUT0

Remove R60 and place at R59. Also remove R61 and place R58. The red rectangles are the new positions. These two resistors are 0Ω and the change will route the OUT0 clock to the J4 and J6 SMA connectors as opposed to the fan-out buffer input in the R60 and R61 positions.
When the fan-out buffer is not used, it is a good idea to remove jumper J49 (VDDFO) to remove power from the fan-out buffer.

Setup and Configuration

Complete the following steps to set up the RC32504A / RC22504A EVB using I2C and start the configuration of the board.

1. Connect J31 to a USB port of the user’s computer using the USB cable supplied with the board.

2. Launch Renesas’ RICBox Software according to the instructions in the FemtoClock 2 RICBox User Guide. The software and guide are downloadable from the RC32504A product page.

3. Following the “Getting Started” steps in the RICBox Software, an I2C connection is established between the GUI software and the RC32504A.

4. Open an existing settings file (click Browse) or start a new configuration (click New).
   Configurations that were saved recently will show in the “Recent Files” box. Double-click on a file to load the configuration.

5. When starting a new configuration, the software first needs to know what product family to load the “Virtual Environment” for:
   This screen shows only FemtoClock 2 but it is possible to install multiple Virtual Environments for various product families. At item 1, select FemtoClock 2 then select the specific product at item 2 and click “OK”.

6. Select the “Operation Mode: Synthesizer or Jitter Attenuator.
   On the right are explanations and instructions. Click Next to go to the next screen.

7. Screen 2 has a list of Jitter Attenuator settings.

8. Screen 3 sets up the outputs.

9. Fill in the desired output frequencies. Leave blank unused outputs.

10. Click on “Advanced Settings” at the red arrow to select Logic Type and Signal Amplitude.

11. Click “Finish” to end the Wizard and enter the main configuration utility.

12. The main configuration utility.
    The buttons on the top left are Control Panel (the above screen), Wizard, Configuration, Registers, and Block Diagram.
    For more information, see the FemtoClock 2 RICBox User Guide located on the RC32504A product page.

13. Transfer the Configuration from RICBox into the FemtoClock 2 device: The bottom right of the screen has buttons to control the I2C connection with the device.Click the “Not Connected” button to connect.

14. Click the small button to the right of “Program” to connect.
    The small button next to Read opens I2C settings and starts a search for connected devices. The Connection Settings screen allows you to select a specific device and Connect. After attempting to Connect:
    The small Connect button turns green to indicate that the connection was successful. Now click Program to transfer all settings to the device.

Board Design

• Each differential output clock is available on a pair of SMA connectors. Each pair of SMA connectors is AC coupled on the board. The termination selector can provide a
• DC path to ground for the HCSL output type when the on-chip termination is disabled.
• Power is provided through the USB connection and regulated with RAA214020 low noise LDOs. Each power pin can also be switched to a banana plug jack for supply current measurements or other tests.
• The board has an FTDI USB-to-I2C bridge for programming FemtoClock 2 from a computer. Renesas RICBox software is available for easy development of configurations and uploading these configurations to the FemtoClock 2 device.
• To demonstrate the use of FemtoClock 2 with fan-out buffers, an 8P34S1208I is added at OUT0 of FemtoClock 2. When the buffer is not desired, the board can be easily modified by moving two 0Ω resistors to pass OUT0 to its own pair of SMA connectors, just like the other outputs. The buffer has one of its two inputs connected to
• OUT0 and the other connected to an SMA pair so the buffer can always be used to pass a clock from any output through a pair of coax cables.
• The LOCK pin drives an LED and the LED lights up when the pin is high. Default function assigned to the LOCK pin is “APLL Lock” so the LED shows if the APLL is locked or not. Several other status items can be assigned to the LOCK pin.

Note: See Figure 12 for reference numbers in the following table.

assembly)
2| Termination 0| J36| Termination Selector for Output 0 (not active with typical assembly)
3| VDDO0| J18| Power Source Selector for pin VDDO0
4| Output 1| J7, J9| Differential Clock Output 1
5| Termination 1| J37| Termination Selector for Output 1
6| VDDO1| J20| Power Source Selector for pin VDDO1
Ref.| Name| On-Board Connector Label| Function
---|---|---|---
7| Output 2| J10, J12| Differential Clock Output 2
8| Termination 2| J38| Termination Selector for Output 2
9| VDDO2| J23| Power Source Selector for pin VDDO2
10| Output 3| J13, J15| Differential Clock Output 3
11| Termination 3| J39| Termination Selector for Output 3
12| VDDO3| J26| Power Source Selector for pin VDDO3
13| LED_5V| D2| LED lights when 5V USB Supply is present
14| USB Interface| J31| USB-C Type Jack for connection with the user’s computer and interaction with Renesas RICBox Software.
15| LOCK LED| D1| LED lights up LOCK pin goes high. Default the LOCK pin signals APLL locking.
16| DIF_IN| J2, J3| Differential Reference Clock Input
17| Power VDD Jack| J21| External Power Supply, Positive Terminal
18| Power GND Jack| J16| External Power Supply, Negative Terminal or Ground
19| VDDXO| J19| Power Source Selector for pin VDDXO (Crystal Oscillator Power)
20| VDDA| J17| Power Source Selector for pin VDDA (Analog Power)
21| VDDREF| J22| Power Source Selector for pin VDDREF (Ref Clock Input Power)
22| VDDD| J25| Power Source Selector for pin VDDD (Digital Power)
23| XIN| J1| Overdrive XIN pin with External Clock
24| Crystal| U9| Quartz Crystal
25| RC32504A| U2| Evaluation Device. The RC32504A can also demonstrate RC22504A functionality.
26| Bus Source| J30| Select Communication Bus Source
27| Bus Type| J33| Select Communication Bus Type
28| OE / SPI CS| J32| OE pin Pull-Up / -Down or Latch High / Low or Pass SPI Chip Select
29| LOCK Latch| J34| Lock pin Latch High / Low
30| SDA Latch| J35| SDA pin Latch High / Low
31| GND| GND_J1/2/3/4| Miscellaneous Ground Points
32| OUT0 Buffer Output| J41, J42| Differential Fan-Out Buffer Output
33| 2nd Buffer Input| J46, J47| Alternative Fan-Out Buffer Input
34| VDDFO| J49| Power Source Selector for 8P34S1208I Fan-Out Buffer
35| Buffer Input Select| J48| Select between CLK0 = FemtoClock 2 OUT0 and CLK1 = Buffer Input SMA pair.

Schematic Diagrams

Bill of Materials

Item| Qty| Reference| Value| Part Number| Manufacturer
---|---|---|---|---|---
1| 1| C1| DNI_0.010uF| GRM155R71E103J|
2| 2| C2,C3| DNI_C0402| DNI_C0402|

3

| ****

46

| C4,C5,C6,C8,C9,C12,C13,C16,C17,C 20,C21,C25,C27,C30,C32,C36,C38,C4

0,C42,C50,C52,C55,C56,C57,C58,C59

,C61,C62,C66,C67,C68,C73,C74,C75, C76,C77,C78,C79,C80,C86,C87,C89, C91,C98,C99,C100

| ****

0.1uF

| ****

GRM155R71C104KA88D

| ****

Murata Electronics

4

| ****

16

| C7,C10,C11,C14,C15,C18,C19,C22,C 81,C82,C83,C84,C92,C93,C101,C102| ****

4700pF

| ****

GRM1557U1A472JA01D

| ****

Murata Electronics

5

| ****

18

| C23,C24,C26,C28,C31,C33,C34,C37, C39,C41,C43,C44,C46,C47,C51,C53, C54,C90|

10uF

| ****

GRM188D70J106MA73D

| ****

Murata Electronics

6| 2| C29,C35| 4.7uF| ****

ZRB15XR61A475ME01

|
7| 1| C60| DNI_47pF| GRM1555C1E470J| Murata Electronics
8| 1| C63| 47pF| GRM1555C1E470J| Murata Electronics
9| 2| C64,C65| 27pF| GRM1555C1E270J| Murata Electronics
Item| Qty| Reference| Value| Part Number| Manufacturer
---|---|---|---|---|---
10| 2| C85,C88| 1uF| ****

GCM155C71A105KE38D

| Murata Electronics
11| 1| C97| 0.010uF| GRM155R71E103J| Murata Electronics
12| 2| D1,D2| LED Green| APT3216CGCK|
13| 1| D3| 1N4448HLP| 1N4448HLP|

14

| ****

21

| FB1,FB2,FB3,FB4,FB5,FB6,FB7,FB8, FB9,FB10,FB11,FB12,FB13,FB14,FB1 5,FB16,FB17,FB18,FB19,FB20,FB21| ****

600

| ****

BLM18AG601SN1D

| ****

Murata

15| 3| FID1,FID2,FID3| Fiducial| Fiducial DNI|
16| 4| GND_J1,GND_J2,GND_J3,GND_J4| DNI Headerstrip 1X1| DNI 1×1|
17| 2| J1,J45| ****

SMA_JACK_STR_50

| 733910070| Molex

18

| ****

14

| J2,J3,J4,J6,J7,J9,J10,J12,J13,J15,J41, J42,J46,J47| ****

Cinch_142_0701_851

| ****

142_0701_851

| ****

Johnson

19| 1| J16| Banana Black| 571-0100|

20

| ****

8

| ****

J17,J18,J19,J20,J22,J23,J26,J49

| ****

Header 2X2

| 499-10-202-10-

009000

|
21| 1| J21| Banana Red| 571-0500|
22| 4| J24,J27,J28,J29| Standoff 20mm| R30-1612000|
23| 4| J25,J30,J32,J33| Headerstrip 2X3| 10897062| Molex
24| 1| J31| USB Type C| 12401598E4#2A| Amphenol
25| 3| J34,J35,J48| Headerstrip 1X3| 22-28-4035| Molex
26| 4| J36,J37,J38,J39| Headerstrip 1X2| 22-28-4023| Molex

27

| ****

11

| R1,R15,R16,R17,R18,R19,R20,R21,R 22,R71,R72| ****

50

| ****

ERA-2AEB49R9X

| ****

Panasonic

28| 8| R2,R3,R4,R5,R7,R8,R9,R10| 0| ERJ-2GE0R00| Panasonic
29| 2| R6,R26| 220| CRCW0603220RFK| Vishay
30| 2| R11,R12| DNI_50| ERA-2AEB49R9X| Panasonic
31| 2| R13,R14| DNI_R0402| DNI_R0402|
32| 4| R23,R24,R25,R48| 1| RC0402FR-071RL| Yageo
33| 5| R31,R32,R41,R42,R63| 4.70K| CRCW04024K70FK| Vishay

34

| ****

12

| R33,R39,R43,R45,R46,R50,R51,R52, R54,R55,R56,R57| ****

10.0K

| ****

RCG040210K0FK

| ****

Yageo

35| 4| R34,R35,R37,R38| 10| RC0402FR-0710RL| Yageo
36| 1| R36| 5.10K| CRCW04025K10FK| Vishay
37| 1| R40| 12.0K| CRCW040212K0FK| Vishay
Item| Qty| Reference| Value| Part Number| Manufacturer
---|---|---|---|---|---
38| 2| R44,R47| DNI_0| ERJ-2GE0R00| Panasonic
39| 1| R53| 27.0K| CRCW040227K0FK| Vishay
40| 2| R58,R59| DNI_0.00| ERJ-2GE0R00| Panasonic
41| 2| R60,R61| 0| ERJ-2GE0R00| Panasonic

42

| ****

9

| R62,R64,R65,R66,R67,R68,R69,R70, R73| ****

100

| ****

CRCW0402100RFK

| ****

Vishay

43| 1| U2| RC32504A| RC32504A| Renesas
44| 1| U3| BSS138| BSS138| On Semi
45| 1| U6| FT232HQ| FT232HQ-REEL| FTDI

46

| ****

1

| ****

U7

| ****

Crystal 12MHz

| ABM8G-12.000MHZ- 18-D2Y-T| ****

Abracon

47| 1| U8| PCA9517| PCA9517| Texas Instruments
48| 1| U9| Crystal 50MHz| EXS00A-CG03550| NDK America
49| 2| U10,U11| RAA214020| RAA214020| Renesas
50| 1| U12| 8P34S1208I| 8P34S1208I| Renesas

Ordering Information

Revision History

IMPORTANT NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

• RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES (“RENESAS”) PROVIDES TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND RELIABILITY DATA (INCLUDING DATASHEETS), DESIGN RESOURCES (INCLUDING REFERENCE DESIGNS), APPLICATION OR OTHER DESIGN ADVICE, WEB TOOLS, SAFETY INFORMATION, AND OTHER RESOURCES “AS IS” AND WITH ALL FAULTS, AND DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
• These resources are intended for developers skilled in the art designing with Renesas products. You are solely responsible for (1) selecting the appropriate products for your application, (2) designing, validating, and testing your application, and (3) ensuring your application meets applicable standards, and any other safety, security, or other requirements.
• These resources are subject to change without notice. Renesas grants you permission to use these resources only for development of an application that uses Renesas products. Other reproduction or use of these resources is strictly prohibited. No license is granted to any other Renesas intellectual property or to any third party intellectual property. Renesas disclaims responsibility for, and you will fully indemnify Renesas and its representatives against, any claims, damages, costs, losses, or liabilities arising out of your use of these resources. Renesas’ products are provided only subject to Renesas’ Terms and Conditions of Sale or other applicable terms agreed to in writing. No use of any Renesas resources expands or otherwise alters any applicable warranties or warranty disclaimers for these products.

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© 2021 Renesas Electronics Corporation. All rights reserved.

References

• Renesas Electronics Corporation
• Sales & Distributor Directory | Renesas
• Renesas Electronics Corporation
• Sales & Distributor Directory | Renesas

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