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Eval Kit Manual

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PCap04

Standard Board

PCAP04-EVA-KIT

ams Eval Kit Manual

[v1-02] 2017-Oct-20

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Page 1 Eval Kit Manual DN[Document ID] PCap04 Standard Board PCAP04-EVA-KIT ams Eval Kit Manual Page 1 [v1-02] 2017-Oct-20 Document Feedback...
Page 2: Table Of Contents
Install the Hardware: ......................5 Quick Start for Initial Measurements ..................6 Hardware Description......................9 Connecting Capacitors and Resistors .................. 9 Hardware Architecture ......................9 3.2.1 PCAP04 BOARD ........................9 3.2.2 Temperature Measurement ....................10 3.2.3 Pulse Code Generation ...................... 12 3.2.4 Motherboard ........................
Page 3: Introduction
PCap04 Standard Board Introduction The PCAP04-EVA-KIT evaluation system provides a complete system for generally evaluating the PCapØ4 IC. It is supplied with a main board, a plug-in board, a Windows based evaluation software, assembler software and the PICOPROG V3.0 programming device. The PCapØ4 evaluation board is connected to the PC‘s USB interface through the PICOPROG V3.0...
Page 4 PCap04 Standard Board ROM containing software and data sheets. However, it is strongly recommended to use the latest data sheets and GUI software or get them on request. ams Eval Kit Manual Page 4 [v1-02] 2017-Oct-20 Document Feedback...
Page 5: Quick Start Guide
PCap04 Standard Board Quick Start Guide In this section, we described how to set up quickly the PCAP04-EVA-KIT and establish basic operation and make measurements. 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.
Page 6: Quick Start For Initial Measurements
Quick Start for Initial Measurements From the “Start” menu, go to “All Programs” and then to the “acam” directory. Double click the “PCap04 Frontpanel” icon to begin execution of the evaluation kit software. The following screen should appear: Figure 3: Setup page Click the “Verify Interface”...
Page 7 PCap04 Standard Board To begin measurements using these preinstalled components, it is necessary to make the following adjustments on the “CDC Frontend” tab: 1. “Capacitive Measurement Scheme” section should be set to “Floating | Single”. 2. All the capacitance ports should be turned on using the Cap. Port. Select buttons 3.
Page 8 PCap04 Standard Board To begin measurements, on the right side of the window, click the following buttons in the order listed: 1. “Power On Reset” 2. “Write Complete” 3. “Start Measurement” Measurements should now be running and your screen should resemble the following:...
Page 9: Hardware Description
PCap04 Standard Board Hardware Description Connecting Capacitors and Resistors This evaluation kit can be used for evaluating capacitance measurement by connecting capacitive sensors. Further, it can be used for evaluating temperature measurement by connecting external temperature sensitive resistors or for generating quasi analog voltage (pulse width/density modulated) that is dependent on the sensor connected to the system.
Page 10: Temperature Measurement
PCap04 Standard Board Figure 8: Details of the plug-in board (A=three C0G ceramic capacitors) In the process of evaluation, when you are comfortable with interpreting the measurement results from the chip, these fixed capacitors can be replaced with the actual capacitive sensors of your application.
Page 11 PCap04 Standard Board Pos. Item Comment Port PT1 for second external not supported by the standard firmware temperature sensor Port PT0 for external temperature sensor Port PT2 for external reference resistor 10 nF COG However, there is a possibility to connect the reference resistor and the thermistor externally to the chip, too.
Page 12: Pulse Code Generation
PCap04 Standard Board 3.2.3 Pulse Code Generation Any of the capacitance or temperature measurement results from the PCapØ4 chip can be given out as a pulse width modulated or pulse density modulated signal. This output can be filtered to generate an analog output signal that can be used for further controlling.
Page 13: Software Description
PCap04 Standard Board Software Description Initialization Configuration files, Firmware, Settings and calibration data are subsumed in a project (.prj) file. When opening a project file then automatically the configuration and firmware data will be transferred to the chip and the chip is initialized.
Page 14 PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.1.1 Setup Page Figure 11 Setup page Options on ‘Setup’ page: Select Device Select the PICOCAP device which you use. <PCap04v0> means silicon version “Z” <PCap04v1> means release silicon version “v1” Read Device Reads the device version from chip...
Page 15 PCap04 Standard Board Verify Interface When everything is in order, then pressing this button will indicate the release version number of the software and of the PICOPROG V3.0 Firmware. It also confirms with ‘Memory read/write: OK’ if a supported PICOCAP device is present.
Page 16 PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.1.2 CDC Frontend Page Figure 12 CDC Frontend page ams Eval Kit Manual Page 16 [v1-02] 2017-Oct-20 Document Feedback...
Page 17 PCap04 Standard Board Options on ‘CDC Frontend page: Capacitance Grounded | Single – Single capacitive sensor connected between a port and Measurement Scheme ground. Grounded | Differential – Differential capacitive sensor connected between 2 ports with the middle tap of the sensor connected to ground.
Page 18 PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.1.3 CDC Page Figure 13 CDC page Options on ‘CDC page: Cycle Control Precharge Time Time to charge via resistor for current limitation, can be set in multiples of the cycle clock Fullcharge Time Time for final charge without current limitation, can be set in multiples of the...
Page 19 PCap04 Standard Board C_AVRG Enables averaging the measurement results over multiple measurement cycles. Setting to 1  No averaging, Setting to any number N, will result in averaging over N measurement cycles for generating one measurement result. (0..8191) Cycle Clock Select 50,0kHz | Low Power –...
Page 20 PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.1.4 RDC Page Figure 14 RDC page Options on ‘RDC’ page: Temp.Sensor0 To select a thermistor connected to port PT0/REF for temperature measurement. This could be e.g. an external PT1000. Temp.Sensor1 To select a thermistor connected to port PT1 for temperature measurement.
Page 21 PCap04 Standard Board Cycle Control Precharge Time Displays the precharge time. It depends on R_OLF_DIV. Fullcharge Time Displays the fullcharge time It depends on R_OLF_DIV. Discharge Time Set the discharge time. It depends on R_OLF_DIV. R_AVRG Set averaging for temperature measurement.
Page 22 PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.1.5 PDM / PWM Page Figure 15 PDM/PWM page Options on ‘PDM / PWM’ Page: Clock Select Selects the clock frequency to be used for the PWM/PDM generation. Resolution Resolution of the output in bits. This resolution also determines the pulsed output range.
Page 23 PCap04 Standard Board Toggle Enable activates toggle flip flop at Pulse Interface Output, especially for PDM to create 1:1 duty factor Pulse Select Select the measurement result which has to be given out as pulsed output – any of the capacitance or temperature measurement results.
Page 24 PCap04 Standard Board Options on ‘DSP/GPIO’ Page: DSP_SPEED Select the DSP Speed. Choose between Fastest, Fast, Slow and Slowest. DSP_FF_IN Pin mask for latching flip-flop activation (PG0 to PG3) DSP_MOFLO_EN Activates anti-bouncing filter in PG0 and PG1 lines DSP_STARTONPIN Not supported by standard firmware The DSP can be started externally by a signal on a pin;...
Page 25 PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.1.7 Misc. Page Figure 17 Misc. page Options on ‘Misc.’ Page: LF Clock OLF_CTUNE Coarse-tune the low frequency clock. (10kHz, 50kHz, 100kHz, 200kHz) OLF_FTUNE Fine-tune the low frequency clock. (0..15) HF Clock OX_RUN Controls the permanency or the latency of the OX generator. Latency means an oscillator settling time before a measurement starts.
Page 26: Front Panel Menus
PCap04 Standard Board OX_DIS Disable the OX clock. OX_AUTOSTOP_DIS Disables the automatic stop function of the OX generator between the individual measure sequences. OX_STOP Stop the OX-generator OX_DIV4 OX clock frequency := raw freq./4 Guarding Guarding Port Select Individual Guard enable to each Port PC0..PC5 C_G_OP_RUN permanent –...
Page 27 PCap04 Standard Board Open Project Open project file *.prj that subsumed the firmware and configuration filenames and the settings and Calibration data Save Project Here you can save your own project file. Import Import configuration (*.cfg), calibration data (*.dat) or firmware.
Page 28 PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.2.3 Tools Menu Figure 20 Tools Menu Run Measurement Start the measurement Graph Opens the window for graphical display of the various measurement results (section 4.2.3.4) Registers Opens the Register window (section 4.2.3.5) Linearize Opens the Linearize window...
Page 29 PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.2.5 Help Menu Figure 22 Help Menu Help Contents Opens the help window Check Errors Opens the error message window if there is an inconsistency after plausibility check. About Version After each change in settings, the evaluation software automatically performs a plausibility check in the background.
Page 30: Special Windows
PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.3 Special Windows 4.2.3.1 Firmware Window In the ‘Firmware’ Window the write data can be edited. If the NVRAM is read (‘Read’ button), the content is automatically compared with the ‘Write Data’ window content. If contents are equal this will be indicated by a green illuminated LED.
Page 31 PCap04 Standard Board Open File Select and open a firmware file (.hex) or import firmware from a project file. The content is shown in the ‘Write Data’ window. Reload File Reload the last opened firmware file (.hex). The content is shown in the ‘Write Date’...
Page 32 PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.3.2 Calibration Window The NVRAM provides the possibility to store data like linearization coefficients, division steps, alert levels etc.. This way, one and the same firmware can be used for various types of sensors. The Calibration data are part of the project file. After opening a project, the Calibration data need to be written manually.
Page 33 PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.3.3 Misc. Calibration Window This window shows miscellaneous calibration bits at address d’956-d’959 (4 byte). The meaning of the content strongly depends on the firmware. Figure 25 Misc. Calibration Window Write Writes the data into the chip’s NVRAM.
Page 34 PCap04 Standard Board Figure 26 Complete Memory Window Write Writes the complete NVRAM. Store The complete data transfer from Memory (volatile) to FLASH (non-volatile) is performed by a STORE Erase During this ERASE procedure, first the complete NVRAM will erased (set to zero) and afterwards the MEM_LOCK bits will be cleared.
Page 35 PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.3.4 Graph Window Figure 27 Graph Window The data to be displayed are selected in the field at the bottom right. The labels in the buttons are the same as in the diagnostics window. To display data press the corresponding button so that it gets green.
Page 36 PCap04 Standard Board Figure 28 Write Registers and Results ams Eval Kit Manual Page 36 [v1-02] 2017-Oct-20 Document Feedback...
Page 37: Linearize
PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.4 Linearize 4.2.4.1 Sensor Characterization The first step is the characterization of the sensor. Therefore, it is necessary to collect data at several measurement points and at several temperatures. As mentioned earlier, the data collection should be made of minimum 12 measurements, taken at least at 3 different temperatures.
Page 38 PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.4.2 Temperature Sensor Characterization Together with the calibration of the capacitance sensor it is mandatory to calibrate the temperature, too. Whether the internal aluminum sensor is used or an external platinum sensor or any other sensor: they need to be calibrated to get the correct temperature information which is then used as input for the polynomial correction of the capacitance measurement.
Page 39 PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.4.3 One/Two Point Calibration Once a batch is characterized with respect to the capacitive sensor and the resistive temperature sensor it might be sufficient to perform two-point or even one-point calibration for the rest of the sensors in the batch.
Page 40 PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.4.4 Pulse Figure 32 Pulse ams Eval Kit Manual Page 40 [v1-02] 2017-Oct-20 Document Feedback...
Page 41 PCap04 Standard Board 4.2.4.5 Expert As indicated by the name this tab is for experts only. There you set the fixed point position of the result Z. It further displays the numbers of division steps respectively shift operation to achieve the maximum resolution over all calculations.
Page 42: Assembler
Debugging is not supported in this software revision. Scaling Results PCap04 in general calculates capacitance ratios. The measured ratios include of course all effects from parasitic capacitances. Nonetheless, in many cases users might be interested in an intuitive understanding the displayed values without making a full calibration run.
Page 43 PCap04 Standard Board Starting point: 10 pF between PC0 and PC1, 12.2 pF between PC2 and PC3, 8pF between PC4 and PC5. In grounded configuration, the chip measures 10pF reference against 10 pF at PC1, 12.2 pF at PC2 and PC3 and 8 pF at PC4 and PC5. In floating configuration 10pF reference is measured against 12.2 pF and 8pF.
Page 44: Scaling Pdm Output
PCap04 Standard Board e. Floating, both compensation Now all parasitic capacitances are compensated. The initial base capacitance without offset can be used. Scaling PDM Output Here we describe how to scale the PDM output when working with the standard firmware. Open the Memory window and select tab calibration: Set fpp to 27 and s/u to S for signed.
Page 45: Schematics, Layers And Bom
PCap04 Standard Board Schematics, Layers and BOM Figure 35: Motherboard schematics ams Eval Kit Manual Page 45 [v1-02] 2017-Oct-20 Document Feedback...
Page 46 PCap04 Standard Board Figure 36: PCa04 AD board schematics ams Eval Kit Manual Page 46 [v1-02] 2017-Oct-20 Document Feedback...
Page 47 PCap04 Standard Board Figure 37: PCa04 AD board layout ams Eval Kit Manual Page 47 [v1-02] 2017-Oct-20 Document Feedback...
Page 48 PCap04 Standard Board Bill of Materials for PCap04 plug-in board Item Reference Part Name Description C805, 10u C805, 4u7 PCAP04/QFN24 R1 R2 R3 R805, nc C3 C5 C805, nc C805, nc CHIP-CAPACITOR ams Eval Kit Manual Page 48 [v1-02] 2017-Oct-20...
Page 49: Ordering & Contact Information
PCap04 Standard Board Ordering & Contact Information Ordering Code Description PCAP04-EVA-KIT PCap04 Eval Kit Standard Board PCAP04-EVA-BOARD Buy our products or get free samples online at: www.ams.com/ICdirect 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: ams_sales@ams.com...
Page 50: Copyrights & Disclaimer
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.
Page 51: Revision Information
PCap04 Standard Board Revision Information Changes from previous version to current revision 1-02 (2017-Oct-20) Page Adding section “4.3 Scaling Results” Adding section “4.4 Scaling PDM Output” Updated screenshots and photos Note: Page numbers for the previous version may differ from page numbers in the current revision.
Page 52 Mouser Electronics Authorized Distributor Click to View Pricing, Inventory, Delivery & Lifecycle Information: ScioSense PCAP04-EVA-KIT PCAP04-EVA-BOARD...

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