HDL-0108-RSCPT: Rapid-Scan 8-Channel Hardware

Key Benefits

  • DLITE-style waveforms to keep data processing across all systems and platforms more uniform.
  • Everything you need to integrate into your software and data work flow.
  • Functional demo firmware[s] (there are two firmware targets on the board) for both out of the box functionality and templates for customization. See below.
  • Functional demo desktop App software for easy integration and customization. That is, it demonstrates how to talk to the board, and manage data, so you can quickly integrate into your software. See below.
  • Guaranteed timing through dedicated hardware control, at high speed sample and waveform capture rates for repeatable acquisitions, demo’d in firmware sample, and firmware configurable (ask about a jitter spec).
  • Single board integrates pulse control, channel control, and data acquisition – no external DAQ.
  • Plenty of room to customize and tune characteristics, both:
    • Signal tuning, transmit and receive, and
    • Control logic, channel sequencing, timing, etc.
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XD Conn IFace: DL0100A1 Coax-to-Alternative-Connection Module

This prototype module connects to the DLITE-0100A1 (DL0100A1) board to allow you to wire transducers to the board using direct tinned bare wire connection to screw terminal blocks, or even cables terminated in RJ45 plugs (two are required to connect to the 8 channels). [This article stub is in progress – please inquire directly about any items not yet covered.]

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Installing and Running Lattice Semi iCEcube2 on 64-bit Ubuntu 18.04 LTS on VMWare Fusion 11.0 running on Mac OS X

Legal Note: Dear Lattice Semi: If you dislike the screenshot being here or if this somehow violates your terms, please forgive me/us. The idea is that by providing these notes here, it will help your business by giving a quick start for others who are trying to install this. Just get in touch if you need something removed. Thanks.

So far, installation and running the software work. If you’re ok with installing this sort of thing on your Linux system.

Gotchas:

Here is a summary of gotchas that could save you a bit of time:

  1. Setup: Setup needs stuff that gets installed for 32-bit (i386) Java. MultiARCH needed.
  2. Licensing: iCEcube2 is hardcoded to look for the matching MAC of “eth0”
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IF2C: Rapid Scan?

In Brief: The solid state solution is good for rapid scan. As shipped and by design (use-case: low power, long intervals between readings), the communications overhead would make the channel-change scan rate very slow. With a few tiny and easy firmware revisions on the host you could probably speed that up for immediate experimentation.

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IF2C: Communications Options

When Hosting the IF2C with a DL0102G/XN, the communications options include the standard DLITE Family comms options, except for a modification to the USB-Serial connectivity.

Tested USB Demo R&D Option

With the IF2C/G/XN stack, you have the option, for R&D purposes and ease of swapping testing rigs, measuring current, etc., to power from a battery or 4.1VDC supply (see Power Options) while using USB-Serial communications in the way that USB-Serial is often used. In this case, safely and carefully omit connecting the USB-Serial adapter’s 5VDC pin. Connect only the USB-Serial (1) ground, (2) Tx, and (3) Rx.

Then, using either (1) the break out +5VDC terminal on the IF2C to bring 5VDC to the Host G/XN or (2) by connecting the VSYSIN solder jumper on the IF2C, you power the Host and system. (See Power Options)

USB (or Other) 5VDC Option

You can however, as it turns out, power the stack (untested, charge component implications not yet known, but may be fine) without a battery or 4.1VDC supply with that USB-Serial +5VDC connection. Apply that 5VDC to the Host +VDC input as usual and then use either the wire or the solder jumper to bring power to the IF2C, as noted above. (See Power Options)

NOTE: Just do not connect this 5VDC to the charge or battery inputs on the IF2C.

IF2C: Command Set, API, Code Examples

There are two (2) APIs of interest here:

  1. API for the DL-Host that talks to the IF2C, for example the DL0102GXN as a host, as provided in sample firmware. This is covered here.
  2. API for the IF2C accessory itself.

A simple communications example is here.

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(H)DL/DLITE Family Communications Options

Examples include: LoRaWan, Cellular, Bluetooth, Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), 900MHz long range mesh, 2.4GHz dense mesh, wirelessHART implemented on 802.15.4 modules, WiFi, Ethernet 10/100, point-to-point, PTMP, USB-Serial…

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