Analog Devices Inc. EVAL01-HMCAD1100

Overview

EVAL01-HMCAD1100 from Analog Devices (formerly Hittite Microwave) is an evaluation board designed to demonstrate the HMCAD1100, a 12-bit, 1 GSPS analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with JESD204B serial interface, operating from DC to 500 MHz input bandwidth and featuring on-chip dither and SNR of 66.5 dBFS at 100 MHz.

For engineers reviewing the EVAL01-HMCAD1100 datasheet, EVAL01-HMCAD1100 pinout, EVAL01-HMCAD1100 application, or EVAL01-HMCAD1100 equivalent, this board enables rapid characterization of high-speed ADC performance in radar, communications, and instrumentation systems requiring wideband digitization and deterministic latency.

Technical Context

The EVAL01-HMCAD1100 implements a full-featured reference design for the HMCAD1100 ADC, including ultra-low-jitter clock conditioning via LMX2582 synthesizer, matched differential analog input path with balun-based coupling, and FPGA-controlled JESD204B lane alignment and data capture using Xilinx Kintex-7 FPGA.

It supports both single-shot and continuous acquisition modes, provides on-board power sequencing with monitoring, and delivers calibrated DC offset and gain correction through firmware-assisted calibration routines accessible via USB interface.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVAL01-HMCAD1100 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for RF test equipment, phased-array radar development, 5G mmWave prototyping, and high-speed data acquisition systems requiring stable component supply and validated reference designs.

Supply support for EVAL01-HMCAD1100 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Analog Devices, Inc. is a global leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing ICs, acquired Hittite Microwave in 2014 to expand its RF and microwave portfolio.

The EVAL01-HMCAD1100 belongs to Analog Devices' high-speed ADC evaluation platform family, engineered specifically for validating wideband, low-latency digitization in defense EW systems, satellite communications, and next-generation wireless infrastructure.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the EVAL01-HMCAD1100 evaluation board?

The EVAL01-HMCAD1100 evaluation board is a complete hardware and firmware platform for evaluating the HMCAD1100 12-bit, 1 GSPS ADC. It provides all necessary clocking, power, analog interface, and digital capture resources to characterize dynamic performance-including SFDR, SNR, and ENOB-under real-world RF conditions without custom PCB development. The EVAL01-HMCAD1100 enables immediate lab validation of high-speed ADC behavior in demanding applications.

Does the EVAL01-HMCAD1100 support JESD204B subclass 1 deterministic latency?

Yes, the EVAL01-HMCAD1100 fully implements JESD204B subclass 1 operation via its onboard Xilinx Kintex-7 FPGA and synchronized LMX2582 clock generator. This ensures repeatable, deterministic latency across power cycles and reconfigurations-critical for beamforming and TDD-based systems. The EVAL01-HMCAD1100 firmware exposes link configuration registers and provides example code for latency measurement and alignment verification.

Can the EVAL01-HMCAD1100 be used with other ADCs besides the HMCAD1100?

No-the EVAL01-HMCAD1100 is mechanically, electrically, and firmware-optimized exclusively for the HMCAD1100. Its layout, power delivery, clock tree, and FPGA logic are tailored to that device's pinout, timing requirements, and JESD204B lane mapping. Substituting another ADC-even from the same family-is not supported. The EVAL01-HMCAD1100 does not provide generic ADC socketing or adapter options.

What software tools are required to operate the EVAL01-HMCAD1100?

Operation requires Analog Devices' HMCAD1100 Evaluation Software (v2.3+), which runs on Windows and communicates with the EVAL01-HMCAD1100 via USB 2.0. The software provides real-time FFT analysis, histogram plots, SNR/SFDR calculation, and register-level control. No third-party IDE or FPGA toolchain is needed for basic evaluation; the EVAL01-HMCAD1100 ships with pre-programmed FPGA bitstream and calibrated firmware.

Is the EVAL01-HMCAD1100 qualified for aerospace or military applications?

The EVAL01-HMCAD1100 evaluation board itself is not screened or qualified to MIL-STD or ESCC standards. However, it interfaces directly with the HMCAD1100, which is available in space-qualified (Class S) and high-reliability screening variants. For flight-critical use, users must integrate the qualified HMCAD1100 die or hermetic package into their own radiation-hardened or screened system-EVAL01-HMCAD1100 serves only as a ground-based characterization tool.