4
July 6, 2010
AN1559.0
Connecting the QHx220 Evaluation Board to
a PC for Manual Control
The Basic I-Q Control Software User Guide (AN1563)
provides a detailed description of how to install the
software GUI program that is used to manually control
the QHx220 evaluation board. The software should be
installed prior to connecting the hardware to the PC. The
Basic I-Q Control Software User Guide (AN1563) also
provides detailed instruction on how to configure all the
software settings required to control the frequency band,
gain, and gain and phase of the device. Please note that
the evaluation boards are populated to operate in a
specific frequency band. A tank circuit and matching
components are specifically chosen for each desired band
of operation. If a different frequency band is chosen via
the software GUI, then the QHx220 board should be
reconfigured accordingly. The correct BOM for MTV, GPS,
and WLAN frequency bands can be found in the
subsequent sections of this user guide.
A USB controller board plugs into the USB port of the PC
and is used to control the SPI bus interface of the
QHx220 device. The USB controller board also has a 1.8V
regulated supply that is used to power the QHx220
device. The user may alternatively power the device with
an external power supply if so desired. A custom cable is
also provided which is keyed so that it plugs into the USB
controller board in the correct orientation. Figure 3 shows
the USB controller board and cable connection.
The opposite end of the cable plugs into the QHx220
evaluation board to provide the 1.8V power supply
voltage and SPI connection to control the device. These
connectors are not “keyed” so please be sure that they
are oriented correctly. There are markings on the socket
and plug of each connector to identify the correct
orientation. Figure 4 shows these markings and the
orientation of the cable connections.
Three Hirose to SMA cables are provided for all of the RF
connections (Noise Sampler Input and Rx Input/Output).
FIGURE 3. THE QHx220 USB CONTROLLER BOARD
FIGURE 4. QHx220 USB CONTROLLER BOARD WITH PARTS LABELED
1.8V
INPUT
LED
NOISE SAMPLER
INPUT
Rx INPUT
(FROM ANTENNA)
Rx OUTPUT
(TO RECEIVER)
INTERSIL
QHX220
SPI
INTERFACE
Application Note 1559