The ADAR1000-EVALZ evaluation board is designed for evaluating the performance of the ADAR1000, a 4-channel, X band and Ku band beamforming core chip for radar systems. All the radio frequency (RF) input/output channels and detector inputs are brought out to Subminiature Version A (SMA) connectors. On-board logic level translators convert the on-chip 1.8 V logic signals to 3.3 V for interfacing to external controllers running on 3.3 V. Two identical 20-pin, dual row rectangular headers provide the digital interface signals to allow daisy-chaining up to four ADAR1000-EVALZ evaluation boards together. A 24-pin connector provides control and bias outputs to interface to four external transmit and receive (T/R) modules with each ADAR1000-EVALZ evaluation board.

The ADAR1000-EVALZ evaluation board can be used with an Analog Devices, Inc., system demonstration platform (SDP) SDP-S or SDP-B board (supplied separately), which allows connection to a Microsoft Windows^®-based PC through the USB for controlling of all the ADAR1000 device functions.

For full details on the ADAR1000, see the ADAR1000 data sheet, which should be consulted in conjunction with this user guide when using this evaluation board.

The X-Band Development Platform contains one MxFE^® software defined, direct RF sampling transceivers, X-Band to C-Band Up/Down Converter, and a X/Ku Band analog phased array proto-typing platform. The target application is phased array radars, electronic warfare, and ground-based SATCOM, specifically a X Band 32 transmit/32 receive channel hybrid beamforming phased array radar.

The X-Band Development Platform highlights a complete system solution. It is intended as a testbed for demonstrating hybrid beamforming phased array radar as well as the implementation of system level calibrations, beamforming algorithms, and other signal processing algorithms. The system is designed to mate with a ZCU102 Evaluation Board from Xilinx®, which features the Zynq^® UltraScale+^™ MPSoC FPGA, with provided reference software, HDL code, and MATLAB system-level interfacing software.

The system can be used to enable quick time-to-market development programs for applications like:

• ADEF (Phased-Array, RADAR, EW, SATCOM)
• Hybrid Beamforming
• Electronic Test and Measurement

The AD-FMCXMWBR1-EBZ is a level translator and power supply board, with FMC-compatible form factor. It is powered from the FMC connector, with the possibility to add an external supply, for application that require higher load currents. In this case, the external supply is prioritized. 

AD-FMCXMWBR1-EBZ allows multiple level translated digital communications paths between a controller/FPGA device and X-MW blocks. The module provides multiple supply voltages with high current capability, that can be used to bias the X-MW blocks or other IC’s in a prototype design.

APPLICATIONS

• RF and Microwave designs
• Voltage level translation
• General-purpose software radios
• Radar systems
• Point to point communication systems
• Multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) radios
• Automated test equipment