ADS131A04EVM

This user's guide describes the characteristics, operation, and use of the ADS131A04 evaluation module (EVM). This kit is an evaluation platform for the ADS131A04, which is a 4-channel, simultaneously-sampling, 24-bit, delta-sigma (ΔΣ) analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADS131A04 offers wide dynamic range and internal calibration features, making the device excellent for energy metering, power quality, protection relay, and circuit breaker applications.

The ADS131A04EVM eases the evaluation of the device with hardware, software, and computer connectivity through the universal serial bus (USB) interface. This user's guide includes complete circuit descriptions, schematic diagrams, and a bill of materials. Throughout this document, the abbreviation EVM and the term evaluation module are synonymous with the ADS131A04EVM. The following related documents are available through the Texas Instruments web site at www.ti.com.

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1 EVM Overview

The ADS131A04EVM is a platform for evaluating the performance of the ADS131A04, which is a 4-channel, simultaneously-sampling, 24-bit, ΔΣ ADC. The evaluation kit includes the ADS131A04EVM board and the precision host interface (PHI) controller board that enables the accompanying computer software to communicate with the ADC over the USB for data capture and analysis.

The ADS131A04EVM board includes the ADS131A04 ADC and all the peripheral analog circuits and components required to extract optimum performance from the ADC.

The PHI board primarily serves three functions:

• Provides a communication interface from the EVM to the computer through a USB port

• Provides the digital input and output signals necessary to communicate with the ADS131A04

• Supplies power to all active circuitry on the ADS131A04EVM board

1.1 ADS131A04EVM Kit

The ADS131A04 evaluation module kit includes the following features:

• Hardware and software required for diagnostic testing as well as accurate performance evaluation of the ADS131A04 ADC

• USB powered—no external power supply is required

• The PHI controller that provides a convenient communication interface to the ADS131A04 ADC over USB 2.0 (or higher) for power delivery as well as digital input and output

• Easy-to-use evaluation software for 64-bit Microsoft Windows® 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 operating systems

• The software suite includes graphical tools for data capture, histogram analysis, and spectral analysis. This suite also has a provision for exporting data to a .CSV file for post-processing.

1.2 ADS131A04EVM Board

The following instructions are a step-by-step guide to connecting the ADS131A04EVM to the computer and evaluating the performance of the ADS131A04:

1. Review the default jumper settings in Section 6 and GUI software installation in Section 6.2.

2. Connect the ADS131A04EVM to the PHI. Install the two screws as indicated in Figure 2-1.

3. Use the provided USB cable to connect the PHI to the computer.

a. LED D5 on the PHI lights up, indicating that the PHI is powered up

b. LEDs D1 and D2 on the PHI start blinking to indicate that the PHI is booted up and communicating with the PC. Figure 2-1 shows the resulting LED indicators.