Eval Kit Manual

DN[Document ID]

TDC-GPX2
Standard Board
GPX2-EVA-KIT

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Content Guide

1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 3
2 Quick Start Guide ................................................................................................................. 3
2.1 Install the Software............................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Install the Hardware: ............................................................................................................ 5
2.3 Software ............................................................................................................................... 5
3 Hardware Description........................................................................................................... 6
3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 6
3.2 Input Signals lines ................................................................................................................ 7
3.2.1 CMOS Inputs........................................................................................................................ 7
3.2.2 LVDS Inputs ......................................................................................................................... 7
4 Software Description ............................................................................................................ 8
4.1 Main Window, REFCLK Page .............................................................................................. 8
4.2 STOP Page .......................................................................................................................... 9
4.3 Interface Page .................................................................................................................... 10
4.4 Avoiding Configuration Conflicts ........................................................................................ 10
4.5 Register Content ................................................................................................................ 12
4.6 Graph Window ................................................................................................................... 13
5 Schematics, Layers and BOM ........................................................................................... 15
6 Ordering & Contact Information ......................................................................................... 23
7 Copyrights & Disclaimer ..................................................................................................... 24
8 Revision Information .......................................................................................................... 25

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1 Introduction
The GPX2-EVA-KIT evaluation system is designed as a platform for a quick and easy start of
evaluation of the TDC-GPX2 time-to-digital converter. The kit offers a graphical user interface for
user-friendly configuration and extensive testing of the TDC-GPX2.

For a proper use of the evaluation system, we strongly recommended to refer to the latest
TDC-GPX2 datasheet.

Features are:

 PC supported system with USB communication interface

 Easy to use evaluation and measurement software
 Different power options, selectable by jumpers
 Three reference clock sources for alternate clock options
 Data collection to ASCII text files
 Visualization of measurement results

Figure 1: Kit Content

4 3

1 2

Pos. Item Comment

1 PICOPROG V3.0 Programmer and interface
2 GPX2-EVA BOARD Based on TDC-GPX2, V1.0
3 High density DSUB15 cable Connecting Evaluation board to programmer
4 USB cable Connects PicoProg V3.0 to PC
Please download the latest software for the kit from
https://download.ams.com/SPECIALTY-SENSORS/TDC-GPX2

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2 Quick Start Guide

This section describes how to set up the GPX2-EVA-KIT, establish basic operation and make
measurements quickly.

2.1 Install the Software

It is crucial to install the software before connecting the evaluation kit to your computer. A default
driver loading of your OS may interfere with correct installation.
Link: https://download.ams.com/SPECIALTY-SENSORS/TDC-GPX2

Download the latest software

installation package to the desired
directory.
Unzip the package to the desired
directory.
Open “setup.exe” from the unzipped
directory.
Follow the instructions on the
screen.

When connecting the PicoProg to

the USB port it will be listed first as
“picoprog v2.0 un-programmed”
device.
This is true also for PicoProg V3.0.

Starting the software will download

a special firmware into the
PICOPROG,
picoprog_gpx2_v005.hex or higher,
and the device will now be listed as
“UNIPRO”:

Open the START Menu and open

the software from
ams AG/GPX2/GPX2 Frontpanel

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2.2 Install the Hardware:

 Make sure software is installed correctly before proceeding with this step!
 Connect your computer with the PicoProg V3.0 using USB cable.
 Connect PicoProg V3.0 and the evaluation kit motherboard using the DB15 interfaces or
directly.
 Connect the power supply. Make sure it is set to 6 V supply voltage.
 The green LED on the evaluation kit should be on.
 Connect your signal source.

2.3 Software
 Excecute the GPX2 Frontpanel software. The communication status should be green
 The software starts with an initial configuration, that can be opened the default configuration
file config_default.cfg.
 Press “Power On Reset! – “Write Config” – “Init Reset”
 Press “Start Measurement”
The measurement should run and results should be displayed now.

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3 Hardware Description

3.1 Introduction
An on-board FPGA [1] manages the communication to the TDC-GPX [2]. It writes the configuration
into the chip via the SPI interface and can use the same to read data. In addition, the FPGA
manages the readout from the serial LVDS outputs of the TDC-GPX2. The SPI signals are available
via additional pads [3]. A jumper selects the supply voltage as 3.0 V, 3.3 V or 3.6 V [4]. A separate
jumper allows measuring the current into the TDC-GPX2 [5].

Figure 2: GPX2-EVA BOARD

1 2

Solder pads are prepared to apply an external oscillator. This may be used as a reference instead
of the RefClk input. [6]
Further, solder pads are available to connect the signal lines. Here the user may solder cables
directly, apply pin connectors, or in case of CMOS signals pads for SMB connectors are prepared.
Note: The FPGA manages the SPI communication and blocks the lines. Therefore, if you want to
communicate directly with TDC-GPX2 via SPI [3] then remove 0Ohm resistors R75, R76 and R77
first [7].

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3.2 Input Signals lines

The board is prepared to connect directly CMOS input signals or LVDS signals.
Figure 3: Input section

100R 100k
N.c. LVDS LVDS
LVDS 10R GND CMOS In
CMOS
LVDS CMOS GND
P/N In

3.2.1 CMOS Inputs

On the board there is a 10 Ohm series resistor.

3.2.2 LVDS Inputs

On the board there are 100kOhm pull-up resistors to TVDD33. The resistors interconnecting P and
N inputs are not assembled.

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4 Software Description

4.1 Main Window, REFCLK Page

The software start with the following main window:
Figure 4: GPX2 evaluation software main window

The main menu offers the typical functions to load and save configurations, to run a measurement,
to open the graph and register windows as well as a help.
The two figures on the right indicate the communication status. Both bar indicators should be green.
Figure 5: Menu selections

As a first step we recommend to load the standard configuration config_default.cfg, then press
“Power On Reset”, “Write Config” and “Init Reset”.

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The first page, “REFCLK”, allows to select the reference input as well as the definition of the LSB.
REFCLK_DIVISIONS defines the LSB at the output interface as fraction of the reference clock
period. The most convenient way is applying an LSB of 1ps by configuring REFCLK_DIVISIONS to
the picosecond value of the reference clock period.
In the middle section the user selects between CMOS and LVDS.
At the bottom, visible on all tabulators, is the numerical display of the measurement results STOP1
to STOP2. In addition, the software allows to calculate the difference between two stop results. The
select box “Math” defines the formula:
Calculation Formula:
 On: [STOP1 - STOP2]
 Off: [REFNO1 - REFNO2] * REFCLK_DIVISIONS + [STOP1 - STOP2]
Various software filters, sinc or median, can be applied.

4.2 STOP Page

This page is for the PIN and HIT enable selection as well as the high resolution and combined
channel settings.
Figure 6: STOP page

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4.3 Interface Page

On this page the communication as well as the output data format is defined. In any case, on the
evaluation kit all communication is done via the on-board FPGA.
Figure 7: Interface page

Note:
The read out speed of the evaluation software is much less than the TDC sample rate. Therefore, in
most cases BLOCKWISE_FIFO_READ will give more reasonable dispaly. In addition, often the
difference between channels is of interest only and DELTA should be used for display. To have this
calculated correctly, Math should be enabled.
COMMOM_FIFO_READ helps if the same number of data from several channels is expected.

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4.4 Avoiding Configuration Conflicts

Some combinations of parameter settings can prohibit operation or cause erroneous results. Some
of these combinations are indicated with a red bar. User should avoid such configurations since the
results may be difficult to interpret or faulty at all.
Some examples of configuration conflicts:

Bad

Good

Bad
B
Good

Bad

Good

Bad

Good

The LVDS readout frequency is recommended up

E to 360MHz in SDR mode only. Nevertheless 400
MHz is possible to configure and operate

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4.5 Register Content

A separate window shows the register content in the GUI and the TDC-GPX2. Separate pages
display configuration data and result data. Changing the hexadecimal values will change the
configuration in the GUI accordingly. With “Write Config” the updated configuration is downloaded
into the chip.
Figure 8: Registers Window: Configuration

Figure 9: Registers Window: Results

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4.6 Graph Window

The graphical display allows to select which data shall be displayed. The shape of the individual
curves can be modified individually. Move the mouse over the line symbol and press the right
mouse button. A menu with many options will pop up.
There are dedicated buttons for zoom to all or zoom in X or Y only. In addition, the standard
Labview zoom functions are available (see the icons on the top right).
Figure 10: Graph Window

The displayed data can be exported into a text file. The maximum is 128,000 data sets.
Figure 11: Save data menu

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The text file can then be analyzed with a table calculation program.
Figure 12: Exported data format

4.7 Known Errors

 Software Hang-up
o Once in a while, typically during tests in the temperature chamber, it may happen
that the software hangs up. This is most likely to erroneous reading from the FIFO
and related in the FPGA. The error will be removed in the next revision of the
FPGA.
o Workaround: restart the software.

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5 Schematics, Layers and BOM

Figure 13: GPX2-EVA BOARD Schematics 1

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Figure 14: GPX2-EVA BOARD Schematics 2

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Figure 15: GPX2-EVA BOARD Schematics 3

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Figure 16: GPX2-EVA BOARD Layout: Top layer

Figure 17: GPX2-EVA BOARD Layout: GND Layer

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Figure 18: GPX2-EVA BOARD Layout: VDD Layer

Figure 19: GPX2-EVA BOARD Layout: Bottom layer

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Figure 20: GPX2-EVA BOARD Layout: Assembly layer

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Figure 21: Bill of Materials for GPX2-EVA BOARD

QTY DESIGNATOR VALUE PART DESC TYPE

1 C5 10n CHIP-CAPACITOR 0805
17 C2 C6 C7 C11 C14 C16 100n CHIP-CAPACITOR 0805
C17 C18 C20 C21 C22
C30 C33 C45 C46 C56
C57
11 C3 C8 C12 C15 C19 C23 33u TANTAL F950J336MPAAQ2
C29 C31 C43 C49 C60

2 C9 C13 100u TANTAL F950J107MPAAQ2

1 C32 220u TANTAL F950J227MBAAM1Q2
1 C1 330u/25V ELECTROLYTIC Radial 8mm Raster
CAPASITOR 2,5mm
10 R2 R16 R22 R23 R24 R25 100R CHIP-RESISTOR 0603
R26 R27 R33 R35

2 R30 R31 165R CHIP-RESISTOR 0603

3 R75 R76 R77 0R CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
1 R49 4R7 CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
5 R6 R67 R69 R71 R72 10R CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
1 R45 56R CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
2 R17 R28 68R CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
2 R10 R51 100R CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
1 R43 270R CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
2 R46 R47 470R CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
1 R48 1k CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
1 R41 3k3 CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
1 R1 9k1 CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
1 R14 19k1 CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
1 R12 60k4 CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
15 R7 R8 R38 R39 R44 R50 100k CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
R52 R53 R54 R55 R56
R57 R58 R59 R60
1 R5 604k CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
1 R13 820k CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
1 R4 910k CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
8 R29 R61 R62 R64 R65 1M CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
R66 R68 R70
1 R11 1M1 CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
1 R9 1M87 CHIP-RESISTOR 0805
6 R3 R15 R18 R19 R63 0R CHIP-RESISTOR 1206
R110

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QTY DESIGNATOR VALUE PART DESC TYPE

6 R20 R37 10R CHIP-RESISTOR 1206
1 D1 Recovery Power Rectifier MRA4007T3
1 D2 green Surface Mount LED PLCC2 SMTL2-PGC
1 X2 5MHz Crystal Oscillator KXO-V97
1 U1 GPX2
1 U2 ProASIC3 Flash Family A3P250VQG100
FPGA
1 U3 Linear Voltage Regulator LM317EMP
1 U6 Linear Voltage Regulator ADP163AUJZ-R7
2 U9 U12 Linear Voltage Regulator BD733L2FP3-CE2
3,3V
1 J1 Male Connector 618015330923
DSUB15HD 90°
1 J4 Box Header Straight 10pin 1-1634688-0
1 J9 DC Power Jack PJ-059B
4 J10 J11 J12 J13 Male Connector 2x1x180°
2,54

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6 Ordering & Contact Information

Ordering Code Part Number Description
GPX2-EVA-KIT 220310001 TDC-GPX2 Eval Kit for QFN40 version including
PICOPROG and cables
GPX2-EVA-BOARD 220310003 TDC-GPX2 evaluation board for QFN64

Buy our products or get free samples online at:

https://ams.com/tdc-gpx2evalkit
Technical Support is available at:
www.ams.com/Technical-Support

Provide feedback about this document at:

www.ams.com/Document-Feedback

For further information and requests, e-mail us at:

[email protected]

For sales offices, distributors and representatives, please visit:

www.ams.com/Contact

Headquarters
ams AG
Tobelbader Strasse 30
8141 Premstaetten
Austria, Europe

Tel: +43 (0) 3136 500 0

Website: www.ams.com

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7 Copyrights & Disclaimer

Copyright ams AG, Tobelbader Strasse 30, 8141 Premstaetten, Austria-Europe. Trademarks
Registered. All rights reserved. The material herein may not be reproduced, adapted, merged,
translated, stored, or used without the prior written consent of the copyright owner.

Demo Kits, Evaluation Kits and Reference Designs are provided to recipient on an “as is” basis for
demonstration and evaluation purposes only and are not considered to be finished end-products
intended and fit for general consumer use, commercial applications and applications with special
requirements such as but not limited to medical equipment or automotive applications. Demo Kits,
Evaluation Kits and Reference Designs have not been tested for compliance with electromagnetic
compatibility (EMC) standards and directives, unless otherwise specified. Demo Kits, Evaluation Kits
and Reference Designs shall be used by qualified personnel only.

ams AG reserves the right to change functionality and price of Demo Kits, Evaluation Kits and
Reference Designs at any time and without notice.

Any express or implied warranties, including, but not limited to the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are disclaimed. Any claims and demands and any
direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary or consequential damages arising from the inadequacy
of the provided Demo Kits, Evaluation Kits and Reference Designs or incurred losses of any kind (e.g.
loss of use, data or profits or business interruption however caused) as a consequence of their use
are excluded.

ams AG shall not be liable to recipient or any third party for any damages, including but not limited to
personal injury, property damage, loss of profits, loss of use, interruption of business or indirect,
special, incidental or consequential damages, of any kind, in connection with or arising out of the
furnishing, performance or use of the technical data herein. No obligation or liability to recipient or
any third party shall arise or flow out of ams AG rendering of technical or other services.

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8 Revision Information

Changes from previous version 1-03 to current revision 4-00 (2018-Oct-18) Page
Update of download links for evaluation software package 3,4
Jump in revision number from 1-03 to 4-00 to fit to a new document management 3
system

Note: Page numbers for the previous version may differ from page numbers in the current revision.
Correction of typographical errors is not explicitly mentioned.

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Mouser Electronics

Authorized Distributor

Click to View Pricing, Inventory, Delivery & Lifecycle Information:

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