Texas Instruments LDC1314DIAL-EVM

Overview

LDC1314DIAL-EVM from Texas Instruments is an evaluation module designed to demonstrate inductive sensing using the LDC1314 4-channel inductance-to-digital converter. It integrates two on-board PCB LC tank sensors (330 pF COG/NP0 + planar inductors), MSP430 microcontroller-based host interface, USB connectivity, and configurable sensor input terminals for custom coil attachment. It supports real-time streaming of raw inductance data for proximity, position, and metal detection applications.

For engineers reviewing the LDC1314DIAL-EVM datasheet, LDC1314DIAL-EVM pinout, LDC1314DIAL-EVM application, or LDC1314DIAL-EVM equivalent, this EVM enables rapid validation of LDC1314-based inductive sensing designs - including sensor resonance tuning, register-level configuration, deglitch filter optimization, and multi-channel timing calibration - without custom hardware development.

Technical Context

The LDC1314DIAL-EVM implements a complete test platform for the LDC1314 IC, featuring an MSP430F5528 microcontroller that handles USB communication, register read/write, and GUI command translation. It supports both internal oscillator (default) and external 40-MHz crystal clocking, with configurable Fref dividers, settle counts, and reference counts per channel to optimize resolution versus sampling rate.

Hardware design includes dual LC sensor inputs with solderable pads for custom inductors, PCB perforations for sensor or MCU removal, and dedicated input deglitch filters per channel. The board operates from USB 5 V, regulated to 3.3 V for analog/digital domains, and exposes all LDC1314 control registers via Sensing Solutions EVM GUI software.

Key Specifications

Availability

LDC1314DIAL-EVM is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial position sensing, automotive proximity detection, and consumer electronics metal presence verification requiring stable component supply and fast-turn evaluation support.

Supply support for LDC1314DIAL-EVM 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

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company specializing in analog, embedded processing, and sensing technologies, with leadership in precision signal chain and low-power system solutions.

The LDC1314DIAL-EVM belongs to TI's Sensing Solutions EVM platform, developed specifically to accelerate prototyping and characterization of inductive sensing systems using LDC131x/161x family ICs in industrial, automotive, and human-machine interface applications.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the LDC1314DIAL-EVM?

The LDC1314DIAL-EVM is an evaluation module built around the LDC1314 inductance-to-digital converter. Its purpose is to enable engineers to evaluate, configure, and validate inductive sensing performance - including proximity, position, and metal detection - using real-time data streaming, register-level control, and customizable sensor interfaces. The LDC1314DIAL-EVM provides immediate hardware access to all LDC1314 features without custom PCB design.

Does the LDC1314DIAL-EVM support custom sensor coils?

Yes. The LDC1314DIAL-EVM includes four dedicated solder pads (two per channel pair) and PCB perforations adjacent to the on-board sensors, allowing physical removal of stock coils and direct attachment of user-designed inductors. The Sensing Solutions EVM GUI supports full reconfiguration of Fin select, deglitch filter, and measurement timing to match custom sensor resonance - verified for frequencies from 10 kHz to 10 MHz. The LDC1314DIAL-EVM maintains full register-level compatibility with any LDC1314-compatible sensor topology.

Which software is required to operate the LDC1314DIAL-EVM?

The official Sensing Solutions EVM GUI software is required. It runs on Windows XP through Windows 10 (32- and 64-bit), installs via bundled executable, and includes integrated drivers. The GUI provides three operational layers: Register Page (direct hex-based register read/write), Configuration Page (intuitive parameter tuning), and Data Streaming Page (real-time graphing, statistics, and file logging). No third-party IDE or firmware compilation is needed to use the LDC1314DIAL-EVM.

Can the LDC1314DIAL-EVM be used with other LDC devices?

The LDC1314DIAL-EVM is mechanically and electrically compatible with LDC1312, LDC1612, and LDC1614 devices via socketed IC placement - confirmed by TI's REV B schematics and Bill of Materials. However, GUI functionality and register mapping are optimized for the LDC1314; using alternate ICs requires manual register validation against their respective datasheets. The LDC1314DIAL-EVM's hardware layout and firmware support make it a shared evaluation platform across the LDC131x/161x family, but full feature parity depends on the specific device installed.

What clocking options does the LDC1314DIAL-EVM provide?

The LDC1314DIAL-EVM supports both internal oscillator (default, ~16 MHz) and external clock sources. It includes an on-board 40-MHz crystal oscillator, and also accepts off-board clock signals via dedicated SMA or solder-pad inputs. The Sensing Solutions EVM GUI allows selection between clock sources and entry of actual frequency values for accurate GUI-side calculations of inductance and capacitance - though the physical clock source must be manually configured on the board before operation. This flexibility ensures precise timing control for high-resolution LDC1314DIAL-EVM measurements.