First Release
Copyright © IXYS CORPORATION 2001
General Description
EVDP610
IXDP610 Digital PWM Controller IC Evaluation Board
The IXDP610 Digital Pulse Width Modulator (DPWM) is a
programmable CMOS LSI device, which accepts digital
pulse width data from a microprocessor and generates
two complementary non-overlapping pulse width modu-
lated signals for direct digital control of a switching Power
Bridge or other electronics. See the IXDP610 data sheet
for full specifications.
The EVDP610 Evaluation Board, shown in Figure 1 below,
encompasses the serial communications hardware,
microprocessor, and IXDP610 chip all onto one board that
is easily programmable from any PC. A Graphical User
Interface (GUI) designed to run on a Windows 9X, Win-
dows 2000 or Windows NT operating system is included
with the EVDP610, providing the designer with the soft-
ware and hardware tools to immediately test and evaluate
the IXDP610 IC. A functional block diagram of the
EVDP610 is shown in Figure 2.
1.0 EVDP610 QUICK-START INSTRUCTIONS
These quick-start instructions provide a step-by-step
guide to set up and begin using the EVDP610 evaluation
board and software. Please refer to the appropriate
sections of the specification for additional instructions
and guidelines.
1.1 Installing the IXDP610 Evalution Software
To install the Evaluation Software on the comuter, place
the Evaluation Software diskette into the computer's disk
drive. Run setup.exe (or double-click on the setup icon).
Follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
1.2 Powering On the IXDP610 Evaluation Board
1. Connect +5 volts DC (+/- 5%) power to the two
screw terminals labeled TRM1 and TRM 2. TRM 1
is the power terminal and TRM 2 is the ground
terminal. When power is applied the two green
LEDs labeled D1 and D3 will turn on.
2. By default, the evaluation board firmware loads the
pulse width registers of the IXDP610 with a 0% duty
cycle on Output1 and a 100% duty cycle on Output2
(Output1 is labeled TP1 – with a white terminal
attached and Output2 is labeled TP2 – with a black
terminal attached). The LED’s labeled D4 and D5,
corresponding to Output1 and Output2 respectively,
should glow red when the output is disabled. When
the outputs are enabled, the LEDs will glow green.
1.3 Connecting the Serial Communications
1. Connect one end of the null modem cable (provided
with the EVDP610) to the male DB9 connector on
the circuit board (labeled P1) and connect the other
end to the serial port. The pin-out of the null modem
cable is shown in the figure 3 below.
1.4 Checking Jumper Connections
1. There should be a jumper in the middle position on
JP1 (allowing the 11.059MHz clock – the same one
clocking the micro, to clock the IXDP610 chip). See
section 2.3 for more information and a detailed
drawing of the jumper positions.
2. There should be NO jumper in JP2 – installing this
jumper disables all outputs on the IXDP610 by
asserting the ODIS pin. The factory default is no
jumper in JP2.
1.5 Operating the User Interface Software
1. The IXDP610 hardware must be powered on before
running the GUI. In the GUI’s initialization sequence
the GUI will try to communicate with the EVDP610
hardware. Be aware that the GUI will reset the
EVDP610 hardware as soon as it comes up and is
Figure 2 - EVDP610 Functional Block Diagram
Figure 1 - EVDP610 Evaluation Board
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EVDP610
In this manner the user can easily set pulse width, dead
time, resolution, among other functions such as dividing
the clock signal.
2.2 IXDP610 IC
The IXDP610 chip, labeled U1 on the evaluation board,
generates two complementary non-overlapping, pulse
width modulated signals for direct digital control of a
switching power bridge.
2.2.1 Dead Time
The PWM waveform generated by the IXDP610 results
from comparing the output of the Pulse Width counter to
the number stored in the Pulse Width Latch. A program-
mable “dead-time” (defined as tDT in Fig.4) is incorporated
into the PWM waveform. The Dead-Time Logic disables
both outputs on each transition of the comparator output
for the required dead-time interval. This feature is difficult
to duplicate in equivalent analog system.
For example, in a half bridge system the dead time can
prevent two transistors being on at the same time. If both
transistors are on for a short period of time, they could
effectively short the voltage supple to ground, which is an
undesirable situation.
2.2.2 Lock Bit
Setting the lock bit of the IXDP610 prevents all writes to
the control latch except for the Stop bit. This locking
feature prevents modification of the control latch due to
software error, preventing damage to the system being
controlled by the IXDP610. This prevents changing of the
dead-time, clock divide, and resolution settings.
2.2.3 Clock Divide Bit
This feature allows the IXDP610 to divide the input clock
by one or divided by two.
2.2.4 Resolution
The IXDP610 can run in two resolution modes, 8-bit and
7-bit. Choosing 7-bit resolution doubles the achievable
PWM base frequency at the expense of decreased duty
cycle resolution. With the combination of the Divide bit
(labeled Clock Divide on the GUI) and the resolution bit,
running after establishing communication. This
assures that both the board and the software are
initialized into the same states to avoid confusion.
2. Make sure that the board is in 8 bit resolution mode
by checking the resolution button (8 bit resolution is
the board's default state). Flip the switch in the
Pulse Settings area so that the pulse width test box
is now no longer dimmed. Enter a number into this
text box between 0 – 255. The duty cycle textbox
will change accordingly although it will remain
dimmed until the switch is toggled, ie: if you enter a
128, the duty cycle will read 50%.
2.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND THEORY OF
OPERATION
For circuit design information, refer to the EVDP610
schematic and PCB layout drawing in Figures 7 and 8.
2.1 Serial Communications
The RS-232 communications interface allow the
EVDP610 to communicate and respond to commands
through a serial port. The serial bus operates at 9600
baud and is buffered by an RS232 driver before reaching
the microprocessor. For more specific information on
the serial protocol please see Section 4.
To communicate with and control the EVDP610 Board, a
null modem cable (included) must be connected from a
PC’s serial port to the male DB9 connector on the board.
For user reference a pin out of the cable is shown in
Figure 3. Once the correct communications port is
selected, the user can run all of the features of the
IXDP610 chip from the GUI.
The GUI software allows the user to set all functions
provided on the IXDP610 with the simple click of a button
or writing into a text box.
Fe ma l e DB9
(computer) Fe ma l e DB9
(EVDP610 boa rd) Description
Pin 2 Pin 3 TX
Pin 3 Pin 2 RX
Pin 5 Pin 5 GND
Figure 3 - Null Modem Cable Pin-Out
Figure 4: Output Waveform Displaying Dead-Time
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EVDP610
the user can choose between three different PWM base
periods for any given external CLOCK frequency.
When the IXDP610 is programmed in 8-bit mode, the
PWM base period is equal to 256 PWM clock cycles.
In 7-bit mode the PWM base period is equal to 128
PWM clock cycles. A PWM clock cycle is equal to
one external CLOCK period when the clock is divided
by one. The following formulas can be used to deter-
mine the PWM base period:
If 7-bit resolution and clock divide by 1 -> PWM base
period = CLOCK period x 128
If 8-bit resolution and clock divide by 1 -> PWM base
period = CLOCK period x 256
If 7-bit resolution and clock divide by 2 -> PWM base
period = CLOCK period x 256
If 8-bit resolution and clock divide by 2 -> PWM base
period = CLOCK period x 512
2.2.5 Stop
This bit in the control latch of the IXDP610 enables and
disables the outputs. When enabled, the outputs will
not be re-enabled until the start of the PWM period.
2.2.6 ODIS : Output Disable
Referred to as the OUPUT DISABLE pin, this pin on the
IXDP610 is connected to a jumper on the board (labeled
JP2), which is tied to a pull-up resistor before the
jumper is installed. Installing a jumper onto these pins
asserts the ODIS pin (ties the pull-up to ground putting
a low signal onto ODIS). Asserting ODIS, or the
OUTPUT DISABLE pin, on the IXDP610 forces the
complementary outputs to be immediately disabled
(forced low). These outputs will remain low as long as
this input is asserted, and for the duration of the PWM
cycle in which OUTPUT DISABLE goes from low to
high; i.e., the complementary outputs are not re-
enabled until the beginning of the next PWM cycle, and
then only if the both ODIS and Stop are not enabled.
*For more information on technical specifications of the
IXDP610 IC, please see the IXDP610 documentation
which can be downloaded from the IXYS website
(www.ixys.com).
2.2 Outputs
The IXDP610 chip, labeled U1 on the evaluation board,
and its complementing outputs (labeled TP1 and TP2)
can be accessed either with the black and white
terminals provided or by J4, which accommodates a
four pin header. Pin one and three on the header are
the output signals and pins 2 and 4 are connected to
ground. Pin 1 on the board is indicated by the square
via. This provides easy access for outside wires or a
wiring harness to connect to another board.
2.3 Input Clock Selection and Jumper Settings
The evaluation board has 3 jumper settings (labeled JP1
on the board) that allow the user to switch between three
input clock selections:
1) Using the microprocessor to clock the IXDP610.
2) Using the on-board 11.059 MHz to clock the
IXDP610.
3) Hooking up an external clock signal. For this
either wire the clock signal to the jumper itself
or the user can use the TP3 via.
Figure 5 shows the placement of the jumper for each
setting. Factory default is the middle setting, clocking
the IXDP610 with the on-board 11.059MHz oscillator.
2.3.1 Using the Microprocessor as the Input Clock
The microprocessor on the evaluation board can be used
as the clock signal into the IXDP610. This clock can
provide output frequencies of 1 – 50 Hz on the IXDP610
chip. Due to interrupt latency this is as fast as the
microprocessor can clock the IXDP610 and there is a +/-
3% frequency error associated with this arrangement.
2.3.2 Using the 11.059 MHz as the Input Clock
This is set as the factory default; it allows the same on-
board oscillator that clocks the microprocessor to clock
the IXDP610.
2.3.3 Using an External Clock Signal
Allowing the user to hook up an external clock signal
allows any input clock (up to 50 MHz) to be used as
input to the IXDP610. This results in output frequencies
Figure 5: Placement of Jumper for IXDP610
Clock Selection
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EVDP610
3.1.1 Reset IXDP610
This toggle button will reset the EVDP610 board and the
GUI back into their initial states. If the EVDP610
board’s power has been cycled this button can be used
to reset the GUI software. If for any reason the hardware
and software disagree this button can be used to
reinitialize the hardware and the software into the same
state (the user will lose the current settings of the
board).
3.1.2 Read IXDP610 Status
This toggle button will read the status of the EVDP610
board. It will update the GUI to the current Pulse Set-
tings, Dead Time Settings, Lock Settings, and Output
Settings. If for any reason the hardware and software
disagree this button can be used to read what the
hardware is doing and update the software.
3.1.3 Lock
This button will “lock” the control register of the IXDP610,
which will not allow the dead-time period, clock divide,
resolution or the stop bit to be changed. Hitting this
button again, or hitting the RESET IXDP610 button will
unlock the IXDP610.
3.1.4 Serial Settings
These buttons control the baud rate and the COM port
selection (1 – 4). *Note: Baud rate is not variable and
will remain dimmed.
3.1.5 Clock Settings
The CLOCK DIVIDE button will cause the input clock of
the IXDP610 chip to be internally divided by 1 or by 2.
The clock select button allows the microprocessor to
control the input clock to the IXDP610, which can then
be variably changed by the GUI. The output frequency
ring allows the user to select the frequency of the output
of the IXDP610 from 1 – 50 Hz. When the clock is
selected the GUI will prompt the user to make sure of
the correct jumper settings.
3.1.6 Pulse Settings
The Resolution toggle button allows the user to switch
between seven-bit and eight-bit resolution on the
EVDP610 board. The pulse width can be written to the
IXDP610 by either the Duty Cycle or Pulse Width. One
of these must be selected by the toggle switch. When
Duty Cycle is selected and the user has entered a
number into the Duty Cycle textbox the pulse width
textbox will be updated with the actual number written
into the pulse width latch of the IXDP610. Duty Cycle
and Pulse Width are always calculated with respect to
resolution, meaning if the value entered into Duty Cycle
was 50%, in 7-bit mode the pulse width number will be
64 where as in 8-bit resolution the pulse width number
will be 128. The pulse width text box will display the
actual number written to the pulse width latch, whereas
the duty cycle is calculated based on the entered
values. Be aware that if you were to enter 128 in the
pulse width textbox, in 8-bit resolution, the output duty
cycle will be 50%. If the IXDP610 is switched into 7-bit
resolution the pulse width number will remain the same,
yet the duty cycle now becomes 100% and the GUI and
the hardware will be updated with these values.
When the Read Pulse Settings button is pressed the
evaluation board updates all pulse settings in the area.
3.1.7 Dead Time
Dead Time can either be entered manually or with the
arrow buttons to the side of the test box. The Read
Dead Time button updates the GUI from the evaluation
board. For a detailed discussion on dead time please
see section 2.2.1 or the IXDP610 specification.
3.1.8 Outputs Enable
The Outputs Enable button allows the user to turn on/off
the outputs of the IXDP610. This button asserts the stop
bit in the control latch of the IXDP610. When the out-
puts are enabled the status LED located directly above
the button will light. The LED will turn off when the
Figure 6: The EVDP610 GUI GUI
up to 390KHz (in 7-bit resolution). The external clock can
be installed into the via on the board labeled TP3.
3.0 GUI GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND USE
3.1 The GUI
After installing and starting up the GUI, figure 7 is the first
screen that should appear. The Message box should
read: “Welcome to the IXDP610 Test Environment” as
seen in Figure 6. Be aware that when the GUI has
established communication with the evaluation board, the
GUI will reset the EVDP610 hardware to ensure that both
the software and the hardware are in the same state.
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EVDP610
outputs are not enabled or turned off.
3.1.9 Error Messages
If for some reason, the communication or instruction did
not take place an error message will appear in the text
box on the top of the GUI, or an error message panel will
tell the user the proper actions to take. It is always a
good idea to update the GUI after an error has occurred
to prevent the board from differing from the GUI in any
way. This maybe accomplished by hitting either the
READ IXDP610 STATUS button or by hitting the RESET
button (the current settings will be lost if RESET is
used). Hit the close button on any error panels to close
the panel.
4.0 SERIAL OPERATION
4.1 RS-232 Serial Operation
This remote control port allows a user to connect a
personal computer as the remote host to the IXDP610.
Utilizing a standard three wire interface and DEI’s
defined communication protocol the user can write a
custom control program for their particular testing needs.
4.1.1 Serial Data Packets
The data packets sent to the IXDP610 over the serial bus
should be of the following format:
To Address Fro m Address Op Code Data Stop Byte
Where the data is as follows:
Data Byte Function Value
To Address IXDP610 Address 0x 02h
From Address Remote Host Address Variable [0 to255] Recommend
0x 00h
Opera tion Code The command hardwa re code See Instruction Set
Data1 Any data to send to IXDP610 See Instruction Set
Stop Byte Serial termination byte 0x0Ah
The data packets returned by the DEI IXDP610 will be of
the following format:
To Addre ss From A ddress Op Co de Data Error Co d e Sto p By te
Where the data is as follows:
Data Byte Function Value
To Address Re m ote Host Address
Variable [0 to255]
Recomme nd 0x00h
From Address IXDP610 Address 0x02
Ope ratio n Co de The command hardw are co de See Instruction Set
Data Any data sent from the
IXDP610 One unsigned byt e
Error Code Error is any non-zero byte,
No Erro r = 0 See Error Code tab le
Stop By te Serial termination byte 0x0Ah
4.1.2 Common Instruction Set & Serial Data Packet
Format:
Instruction Opcode
(hex) Format (number of
bytes=> all unsigned
chars)
Get Version1 0x05 Send-5, Receive-6
Get Version2 0x06 Send-5, Receive-6
Set Dead Tim e 0x10 Send-5, Receive-6
Set Pulse Width 0x20 Send-5, Receive-6
Set Reso lution 0x30 Send-5, Receive-6
Enable O utputs 0x40 Send-5, Receive-6
Reset 0x50 Send-5, Receive-6
Set Clock D ivide 0x60 Send-5, Receive-6
Set Lockout 0x70 Send-5, Receive-6
Set Clock S elect 0x80 Send-5, Receive-6
Read P ulse Width 0x90 Send-5, Receive-6
Read Res olution 0x93 S end-5, Receive-6
Read Loc k Status 0x94 S end-5, Receive-6
Read Clock D ivide 0x95 Send-5, Receive-6
Read O utput Enable
Status 0x96 Send-5, Receive-6
4.1.3 Common Error Codes
Error Code Description Problem Action
0x00 No Error N/A Command was successful,
no errors.
0xE0 General Internal Error Timing Error on
evaluation board None Recommended – reset
board. If error is repeatable
contact factory.
0xE1 Invalid Opcode Command Packet
Incorrect or Corrupted Verify packet data integrity with
emphasis on op-code byte.
0xE2 Control Latch locked Can’t write to control latch Unlock control latch or reset board.
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EVDP610
IXYS Semiconductor GmbH
Edisonstrasse15 ; D-68623; Lampertheim
Tel: +49-6206-503-0; Fax: +49-6206-503627
e-mail: marcom@ixys.de
IXYS Corporation
3540 Bassett St; Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-982-0700; Fax: 408-496-0670
e-mail: sales@ixys.net
Directed Energy, Inc.
An IXYS Company
2401 Research Blvd. Ste. 108
Ft. Collins, CO 80526
Tel: 970-493-1901; Fax: 970-493-1903
e-mail: deiinfo@directedenergy.com
Doc #9200-0234 Rev 1
Figure 7 - EVDP610 Schematic
Figure 8 - EVDP610 Circuit Board Layout Drawing
