UG334: Si5394 Evaluation Board User's
Guide
The Si5394 EVB is used for evaluating the Si5394 Any-Frequency, Any-Output, Jitter-
Attenuating Clock Multiplier. There are two different EVBs for the Si5394. There is a
Grade A and a Grade P board. This user guide is intended for both versions of the
Si5394 EVBs. The device grade and revision is distinguished by a white 1 inch x 0.187
inch label installed in the lower left hand corner of the board. In the example below, the
label "SI5394A-A-EB" indicates the evaluation board has been assembled with an
Si5394 device, Grade A, Revision A, installed. (For ordering purposes only, the terms
“EB” and “EVB” refer to the board and the kit respectively. For the purpose of this docu-
ment, the terms are synonymous in context.)
KEY FEATURES
Powered from USB port or external power
supply
Onboard 48 MHz XTAL or Reference SMA
Inputs allow holdover mode of operation on
the Si5394
ClockBuilder Pro® (CBPro) GUI
programmable VDD supply allows device
to operate from 3.3, 2.5, or 1.8 V
CBPro GUI programmable VDDO supplies
allow each of the 10 outputs to have its
own power supply voltage selectable from
3.3, 2.5, or 1.8 V
CBPro GUI-controlled voltage, current, and
power measurements of VDD and all
VDDO supplies
Status LEDs for power supplies and
control/status signals of Si5394
SMA connectors for input clocks, output
clocks, and optional external timing
reference clock
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1. Functional Block Diagram
Below is a functional block diagram of the Si5394 EVB. This evaluation board can be connected to a PC via the main USB connector
for programming, control, and monitoring. See 3. Quick Start or 10.2 Overview of ClockBuilder Pro Applications for more information.
Figure 1.1. Si5394 EVB Functional Block Diagram
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Functional Block Diagram
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2. Si5394 EVB Support Documentation and ClockBuilder Pro Software
All Si5394 EVB schematics, BOMs, User’s Guides, and software can be found online at: https://www.silabs.com/products/development-
tools/timing/clock/si5394a-a-evb-evaluation-kit.
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Si5394 EVB Support Documentation and ClockBuilder Pro Software
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3. Quick Start
1. Install the ClockBuilder Pro desktop software from http://www.silabs.com/CBPro.
2. Connect a USB cable from Si5394 EVB to the PC where the software was installed.
3. Confirm jumpers are installed as shown in Table 4.1 Si5394 EVB Jumper Defaults1 on page 5.
4. Launch the ClockBuilder Pro Software.
5. You can use ClockBuilder Pro to create, download, and run a frequency plan on the Si5394 EVB.
6. For the Si5394 data sheet, go to http://www.silabs.com/timing.
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Quick Start
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4. Jumper Defaults
Table 4.1. Si5394 EVB Jumper Defaults1
Location Type I= Installed
0 = Open Location Type I = Installed
0 = Open
JP1 2-pin I JP23 2-pin O
JP2 2-pin I JP24 2-pin O
JP3 2-pin I JP25 2-pin all open
JP4 2-pin I JP26 2-pin all open
JP5 2-pin 1 to 2 JP27 2-pin O
JP6 2-pin O JP28 2-pin O
JP7 2-pin O JP29 2-pin all open
JP8 2-pin O JP30 2-pin all open
JP9 2-pin O JP31 2-pin O
JP10 2-pin O JP32 2-pin O
JP11 2-pin O JP33 2-pin all open
JP12 2-pin O JP17 5x2 Hdr All 5 installed
JP13 2-pin O
Note:
1. Refer to the Si5394 EVB schematics for the functionality associated with each jumper.
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Jumper Defaults
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5. Status LEDs
Location Silkscreen Color Status Function Indication
D5 INTRB Blue Dut Interrupt
D7 LOLB Blue DUT Loss of Lock
D8 LOSXAXBB Blue DUT Loss of Reference
D11 +5V MAIN Green Main USB +5V present
D12 READY Green MCU Ready
D13 BUSY Green MCU Busy
D11 is illuminated when USB +5V supply voltage is present. D12 and D13 are status LEDs showing onboard MCU activity.
Figure 5.1. Status LEDs
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Status LEDs
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6. External Reference Input (XA/XB)
An external reference (XTAL) is used in combination with the internal oscillator to produce an ultra-low jitter reference clock for the
DSPLL and for providing a stable reference for the free-run and holdover modes. The Si5394 EVB can also accommodate an external
reference clock instead of a crystal. To evaluate the device with a REFCLK, C93 and C94 must be populated and the XTAL removed
(see Figure 3). The REFCLK can then be applied to J25 and J26.
Figure 6.1. External Reference Input Circuit
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External Reference Input (XA/XB)
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7. Clock Input Circuits (INx/INxB)
The Si5394 EVB has eight SMA connectors (IN0, IN0B – IN3, IN3B) for receiving external clock signals. All input clocks are terminated
as shown below. Note input clocks are ac-coupled and 50 Ω terminated. This represents four differential input clock pairs. Single-ended
clocks can be used by appropriately driving one side of the differential pair with a single-ended clock. For details on how to configure
inputs as single-ended, refer to the Si5394 data sheet.
Figure 7.1. Input Clock Termination Circuit
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Clock Input Circuits (INx/INxB)
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8. Clock Output Circuits (OUTx/OUTxB)
Each of the eight output drivers (4 differential pairs) is ac-coupled to its respective SMA connector. The output clock termination circuit
is shown below. The output signal will have no dc bias. If dc coupling is required, the ac coupling capacitors can be replaced with a
resistor of appropriate value. The Si5394 EVB provides pads for optional output termination resistors and/or low-frequency capacitors.
Note that components with schematic “NI” designation are not normally populated on the Si5394 EVB and provide locations on the PCB
for optional dc/ac terminations by the end user.
Figure 8.1. Output Clock Termination Circuit
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Clock Output Circuits (OUTx/OUTxB)
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9. Installing ClockBuilder Pro Desktop Software
To install the CBOPro software on any Windows 7 (or above) PC, go to http://www.silabs.com/CBPro and download the ClockBuilder
Pro software.
Installation instructions and User’s Guide for ClockBuilder Pro can be found at the download link shown above.
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Installing ClockBuilder Pro Desktop Software
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10. Using the Si5394 EVB
10.1 Connecting the EVB to Your Host PC
Once ClockBuilder Pro software is installed, connect to the EVB with a USB cable as shown in the figure below:
Figure 10.1. EVB Connection Diagram
10.2 Overview of ClockBuilder Pro Applications
Note: The following instructions and screen captures may vary slightly depending on the grade of your device and your version of
ClockBuilder Pro. (The screen captures below were taken for a board labeled "SI5394A-A-EB".) The ClockBuilder Pro installer will in-
stall two main applications:
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Figure 10.2. Application #1: ClockBuilder Pro Wizard
Use the CBPro wizard to:
Create a new design
Review or edit an existing design
Export: create in-system programming
Figure 10.3. Application #2: EVBGUI
Use the EVB GUI to:
Download configuration to EVB’s DUT (Si5394)
Control the EVB’s regulators
Monitor voltage, current, power on theEVB
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Using the Si5394 EVB
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10.3 Common ClockBuilder Pro Workflow Scenarios
There are three common workflow scenarios when using CBPro and the Si5394 EVB. These workflow scenarios are:
Workflow Scenario #1: Testing a Silicon Labs-Created Default Configuration
Workflow Scenario #2: Modifying the Default Silicon Labs-Created Device Configuration
Workflow Scenario #3: Testing a User-Created Device Configuration
Each is described in more detail in the following sections.
10.4 Workflow Scenario 1: Testing a Silicon Labs Default Configuration
The flow for using the EVB GUI to initialize and control a device on the EVB is as follows.
Once the PC and EVB are connected, launch ClockBuilder Pro by clicking on this icon on your PC’s desktop:
Figure 10.4. ClockBuilder Pro Desktop Icon
If an EVB is detected, click on the “Open Default Plan” button on the Wizard’s main menu. CBPro automatically detects the EVB and
device type.
Figure 10.5. Open Default Plan
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Once you open the default plan (based on your EVB model number), a popup will appear
Figure 10.6. Write Design to EVB Dialog
Select “Yes” to write the default plan to the Si5394 device mounted on your EVB. This ensures the device is completely reconfigured
per the Silicon Labs default plan for the DUT type mounted on the EVB.
Figure 10.7. Writing Design Status
After CBPro writes the default plan to the EVB, click on “Open EVB GUI” as shown below:
Figure 10.8. Open EVB GUI
The EVB GUI will appear. Note all power supplies will be set to the values defined in the device’s default CBPro project file created by
Silicon Labs, as shown below:
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Figure 10.9. EVB GUI Window
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Using the Si5394 EVB
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10.4.1 Verify Free-Run Mode Operation
Assuming no external clocks have been connected to the INPUT CLOCK differential SMA connectors (labeled “INx/INxB”) located
around the perimeter of the EVB, the DUT should now be operating in free-run mode, as the DUT will be locked to the crystal in this
case.
You can run aquick check to determine if the device is powered up and generating output clocks (and consuming power) by clicking on
the Read All button highlighted above and then reviewing the voltage, current and power readings for each VDDx supply.
Note: Shutting the VDD and VDDA supplies “Off” then “On” will power-down and reset the DUT. Every time you do this, to reload the
Silicon Labs-created default plan into the DUT’s register space, you must go back to the Wizard’s main menu and select “Write Design
to EVB” as shown below.
Figure 10.10. Write Design to EVB
Failure to perform the step above will cause the device to read in a pre-programmed plan from its non-volatile memory (NVM). Howev-
er, the plan loaded from the NVM may not be the latest plan recommended by Silicon Labs for evaluation.
At this point, you should verify the presence and frequencies of the output clocks (running to free-run mode from the crystal) using ap-
propriate external instrumentation connected to the output clock SMA connectors. To verify the output clocks are toggling at the correct
frequency and signal format, click on View Design Report as highlighted below.
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Figure 10.11. View Design Report
Your configuration’s design report will appear in a new window, as shown below. Compare the observed output clocks to the frequen-
cies and formats noted in your default project’s Design Report.
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Figure 10.12. Design Report Window
10.4.2 Verify Locked Mode Operation
Assuming you connect the correct input clocks to the EVB (as noted in the Design Report shown above), the DUT on your EVB will be
running in “locked” mode.
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10.5 Workflow Scenario 2: Modifying the Default Silicon Labs-Created Device Configuration
To modify the “default” configuration using the CBPro Wizard, click on the links below under “Edit Configuration with Wizard”.
Figure 10.13. Edit Configuration with Wizard
You will now be taken to the Wizard’s step-by-step menus to allow you to change any of the default plan’s operating configurations.
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Figure 10.14. Design Wizard
Note that you can click on the icon on the lower left hand corner of the menu to confirm if your frequency plan is valid. After making your
desired changes, you can click on Write to EVB to update the DUT to reconfigure your device real-time. The Design Write status win-
dow will appear each time you make a change.
Figure 10.15. Writing Design Status
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10.6 Workflow Scenario 3: Testing a User-Created Device Configuration
To test a previously created user configuration, open the CBPro Wizard by clicking on the icon on your desktop and then selecting
Open Design Project File.
Figure 10.16. Open Design Project File
Locate your CBPro design file (*.slabtimeproj or *.sitproj file).design file in the Windows file browser.
Figure 10.17. Browse to Project File
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Select "Yes" when the WRITE DESIGN to EVB popup appears:
Figure 10.18. Write Design to EVB Dialog
The progress bar will be launched. Once the new design project file has been written to the device, verify the presence and frequencies
of your output clocks and other operating configurations using external instrumentation.
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10.7 Exporting the Register Map File for Device Programming by a Host Processor
You can also export your configuration to a file format suitable for in-system programming by selecting Export as shown below:
Figure 10.19. Export Register Map File
You can now write your device’s complete configuration to file formats suitable for in-system programming:
Figure 10.20. Export Settings
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11. Writing a New Frequency Plan or Device Configuration to Non-Volatile Memory (OTP)
Note: Writing to the device non-volatile memory (OTP) is NOT the same as writing a configuration into the Si5394 using ClockBuilder
Pro on the Si5394 EVB. Writing a configuration into the EVB from ClockBuilderPro is done using Si5394 RAM space and can be done
virtually unlimited numbers of times. Writing to OTP is limited as described below:
Refer to the Si5394 Family Reference Manual and device data sheets for information on how to write a configuration to the EVB DUT’s
non-volatile memory (OTP). The OTP can be programmed a maximum of two times only. Care must be taken to ensure the configura-
tion desired is valid when choosing to write to OTP.
UG334: Si5394 Evaluation Board User's Guide
Writing a New Frequency Plan or Device Configuration to Non-Volatile Memory (OTP)
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12. Serial Device Communications
12.1 Onboard SPI Support
The MCU onboard the Si5394 EVB communicates with the Si5394 device through a 4-wire SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) link. The
MCU is the SPI master and the Si5394 device is the SPI slave. The Si5394 device can also support a 2-wire I2C serial interface, al-
though the Si5394 EVB does NOT support the I2C mode of operation. SPI mode was chosen for the EVB because of the relatively
higher speed transfers supported by SPI vs. I2C.
12.2 External I2C Support
I2C can be supported if driven from an external I2C controller. The serial interface signals between the MCU and Si5394 pass through
shunts loaded on header J17. These jumper shunts must be installed in J17 for normal EVB operation using SPI with CBPro. If testing
of I2C operation via external controller is desired, the shunts in J17 can be removed thereby isolating the on-board MCU from the
Si5394 device. The shunt at JP1 (I2C_SEL) must also be removed to select I2C as Si5394 interface type. An external I2C controller
connected to the Si5394 side of J17 can then communicate to the Si5394 device. (For more information on I2C signal protocol, please
refer to the Si5394 data sheet.)
The figure below illustrates the J17 header schematic. J17 even numbered pins (2, 4, 6, etc.) connect to the Si5394 device and the odd
numbered pins (1, 3, 5, etc.) connect to the MCU. Once the jumper shunts have been removed from J17 and JP1, I2C operation should
use J17 pin 4 (DUT_SDA_SDIO) as the I2C SDA and J17 pin 8 (DUT_SCLK) as the I2C SCLK. Please note the external I2C controller
will need to supply its own I2C signal pull-up resistors.
Figure 12.1. Serial Communications Header J17
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13. Si5394 EVB Schematic, Layout, and Bill of Materials (BOM)
The Si5394 EVB Schematic, Layout, and Bill of Materials (BOM) can be found online at: http://www.silabs.com/products/clocksoscilla-
tors/pages/si539x-evb.aspx.
Note: Please be aware that the Si5394 EVB schematic is in OrCad Capture hierarchical format and not in a typical “flat” schematic
format.
This document supports the evaluation board silkscreened Si5394 EVB for the following configurations as described in the table below.
The data sheet documents the different Si5394 grades.
Table 13.1. Evaluation Board Configurations1
Config # Eval Board Label Si5394 Notes
Grade Revision
1 Si5394A-A-EB A A Crystal and related components installed.
2 Si5394P-A-EB P A Crystal and related components installed. Only the DUT and
label differ versus Si5394A-A-EB.
Note:
1. Note that it is not possible to load an Si5394A project onto an Si5394P-A-EB or an Si5394P project onto an Si5394A-A-EB. Use
Si5394A/B/C/D plans for Si5394A-A-EB and Si5394P plans for Si5394P-A-EB.
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