SLAU858B December   2023  – June 2025 AFE881H1

 

  1.   1
  2.   Description
  3.   Features
  4.   4
  5. 1Evaluation Module Overview
    1. 1.1 Introduction
    2. 1.2 Kit Contents
  6. 2Hardware
    1. 2.1 Hardware Description
      1. 2.1.1 Theory of Operation
      2. 2.1.2 Signal Definitions
    2. 2.2 Hardware Setup
      1. 2.2.1 Electrostatic Discharge Caution
      2. 2.2.2 Power Configuration and Jumper Settings
      3. 2.2.3 Connecting the Hardware
        1. 2.2.3.1 Power Configuration
        2. 2.2.3.2 External SPI and UART Controllers
  7. 3Software
    1. 3.1 Software Setup
    2. 3.2 Software Description
      1. 3.2.1 Starting the Software
      2. 3.2.2 Software Features
        1. 3.2.2.1 High Level Configuration Page
        2. 3.2.2.2 AFE881H1 Register Page
  8. 4Hardware Design Files
    1. 4.1 Board Schematic
    2. 4.2 PCB Layout
    3. 4.3 Bill of Materials
  9. 5Additional Information
    1. 5.1 Trademarks
  10. 6Related Documentation
  11. 7Revision History

3.2.1 Starting the Software

To launch the software, locate the Texas Instruments folder in the All Programs menu, and select the AFE88xH1EVM icon.

AFE881H1EVM AFE88xH1EVM Software Installation Prompts Figure 3-3 AFE88xH1EVM Software Installation Prompts

Once the software has launched, a pop-up window prompts the user to select what EVM is being used. If using the AFE881H1EVM, then select the AFE881H1EVM option.

AFE881H1EVM AFE88xH1EVM GUI Device Selection Figure 3-4 AFE88xH1EVM GUI Device Selection

Next, shown in Figure 3-5, the user can select between the 3 different communication modes the AFE881H1 supports. Specific requirements and functionality for the different modes are detailed in the AFEx81H1 16-Bit and 14-Bit, Low-Power DACs With Internal HART® Modem, Voltage Reference, and Diagnostic ADC for 4mA to 20mA Loop-Powered Applications data sheet.

  • SPI - used for both register and HART write/read
  • SPI+UART - uses SPI for register write/read and 1200 baud UART for HART write/read
  • UBM (UART Break Mode) - uses 9600 baud UART with break commands for both register and HART write/read

When the user selects a mode, the SDO, CONFIG, and UBM registers are updated to support immediate communication. The default values of all other registers are reflected in the GUI.

AFE881H1EVM AFE88xH1EVM GUI Communication Selection Figure 3-5 AFE88xH1EVM GUI Communication Selection

Figure 3-6 shows that if the onboard FTDI controller is connected correctly, the status bar at the bottom of the screen displays CONNECTED. If the controller is not properly connected or not connected at all, the status displays DEMO. If the graphical user interface (GUI) is not displaying the CONNECTED status while the EVM is connected, then unplug and reconnect the EVM, and then relaunch the GUI software.

AFE881H1EVM AFE88xH1EVM GUI Connection Detection Figure 3-6 AFE88xH1EVM GUI Connection Detection