Multi board synchronisation on RFSoC board and systems

This feature is applicable in applications that involve rapid data acquisition, high-speed digital signal processing, and efficient RF communication. Examples include phased array radars, 5G and Wireless systems, radio telescopes, test and measurement equipment.

RF applications require phase synchronisation among multiple channels as in phased array radars, distributed antenna systems, and MIMO Networks. Multiple boards work together to capture and process data across expansive arrays or large networks. This setup introduces a critical challenge: synchronisation. Synchronisation in multi-board RFSoC systems is crucial, as any misalignment can lead to issues in data accuracy, signal integrity, and system performance. Multi-board synchronisation ensures that each board operates in precise timing alignment with others, maintaining data consistency and coherence across the entire system.

Supported hardware in demo setup:

• iW-RainboW-G42M: ZU49DR RFSoC System on Module
• iW-RainboW-G42P: RFSoC ADC DAC PCIe Card
• Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO)
• Power splitter
• Clock board

Achieving multi-board synchronisation in RFSoC powered systems involves addressing factors like clock drift, phase alignment, data integrity, and environmental variations. This article and demo explore the implementation of multi-board synchronisation. 

Key factors involved in multi-board synchronisation:

• Clock alignment: ensuring all boards share a unified reference clock from a common source.
• Phase matching: adjusting phase offsets so that signals process simultaneously, essential in phased-array systems.
• Data coherence: maintaining synchronised data across all boards, crucial for systems that integrate data streams from multiple sources.

How to achieve synchronisation?

Multi-Tile Synchronisation (MTS) is a method used in RFSoC devices to align multiple channels or tiles on a single chip. MTS is critical for applications which require coherent signal processing across multiple channels.

Multi Board MTS demo block diagram

This demonstration uses the iW-RainboW-G42P ZU49DR RFSoC platform to showcase multi-board synchronisation. By leveraging Vitis tools alongside Octave, synchronised waveform generation and capture are achieved across two RFSoC boards, highlighting their synchronisation capabilities.

Asynchroniaed DAC Output on the CRO without MTS              Synchronised DAC Output on the CRO with MTS

Demo setup configuration

• Testing involves four DAC and four ADC channels across the two boards:
• One board serves as the master, providing play and capture triggers for both boards.

• Cross-board connections: two DAC and two ADC channels are configured to transmit between the boards, validating multi-board coherence.
• Loopback connections: each board has a DAC channel in a loopback with its own ADC channel to verify on-board synchronisation.
• External monitoring: a DAC channel on each board outputs signals to a CRO for external monitoring and measurement.

• Sample rates: both DAC and ADC operate at 2.4GSPS, with the DAC output set at 100MHz for testing.
• Balun support: system setup includes a balun supporting frequency ranges from 10MHz to 3GHz, ensuring compatibility with wideband signals.

Synchronised ADC Output captured on the Monitor

Applications where RFSoC Multi-Board Synchronisation is important

• Phased array systems: synchronisation ensures beamforming accuracy, enhancing directionality and target resolution in radar systems.
• 5G Networks and MIMO: multi-board synchronisation aligns antennas to ensure coherent data transmission, crucial for high-capacity 5G networks.
• Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) and Electronic Warfare (EW): synchronisation enables accurate signal collection and analysis from multiple sources in complex environments.
• Scientific research: in fields like particle physics and radio astronomy, precise timing across sensors ensures data accuracy and integrity.

iW-RainboW-G42P: RFSoC ADC DAC PCIe Card

The RF-PCIe Carrier Board is integrated with all necessary on-board connectors to validate the features of ZynqTM UltraScale+TM RFSoC (ZU49/39/29DR) SoM, and supports 16 Channel RF-DACs at 10Gsps and 16 Channel RF-ADCs at 2.5Gsps. The PCIe card offers an adaptable radio platform that spans the entire sub-6GHz spectrum, making it ideal for 5G, LTE, phased-array RADAR, satellite communication, and other demanding applications.

The card is equipped with 8GB DDR4 RAM and M.2 NVMe slots for expanded storage options, and PCIe Gen 1, 2, and 3 compliant interfaces and multiple SMA connectors for easy validation, with FMC+ interface. The inclusion of SMA connectors facilitates standardised connections to external equipment, enhancing control over input and output signals for robust signal integrity testing.

iW-RainboW-G42M: Powered by ZU49/ZU39/ZU29DR

The ZU49/ZU39/ZU29 DR powered RFSoC SoM supports 16 x ADC Channels up to 2.5Gsps and 16 x DAC Channels up to 10Gsps. The SoM supports 2 x 400 Pin board to board connectors that support a multitude of interfaces, including 16 x PL-GTY High Speed Transceivers with speeds up to 28.21Gbps. The RFSoC SoM offers onboard 8GB 64bit DDR4 RAM with an error correction code for the processing system and 8GB 64bit DDR4 RAM for programmable logic.

Coming Soon: iW-RainboW-G60M: Powered by ZU48/47/43/28/27/25DR

iWave will shortly be launching the ZU48/47/43/28/27/25DR powered RFSoC SoM, that is built to support high-speed eight x ADC Channels up to 5Gsps and eight x DAC Channels up to 9.85Gsps. 

iWave provides a robust suite of tools, libraries, and software resources that empower developers to harness the full potential of the ZynqTM UltraScale+TM RFSoC System on Modules and PCIe Card. The System on Module and the PCIe Card are go-to-market and production-ready, complete with documentation, software drivers, and a board support package.