assembly/src/hw/clocker.md

Sinara 7210 Clocker

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Peripherals typically should choose "clk_sel": 2 for MMCX connection and "clk_sel": 1 for external SMA connection. Refer to the official docs by searching for clk_sel. You may also need to add "refclk": <number> field to the target card.

Setup external clocker

For tests, you may need an external RF generator, depending on customer needs. Here is example setup for SynthNV RF signal generator:

1. Connect SynthNV to the workstation via USB, and
2. Install and run cutecom: nix-shell -p cutecom
3. Set settings as on the picture below:
4. Open the device, usually it is /dev/ttyACM0
5. Put ? into Input field and press Enter for current settings and help commands
6. For changing the frequency, enter f<freq in MHz>, e.g. f125.0 for 125 MHz
7. Set RF power so that clocker would recognize the signal with a<power> command, e.g. a63
8. Check for desired amplitude and frequency at the RFOut (see picture below for reference) pin via oscilloscope
9. If everything is ok, connect RFOut to the CLK IN on the Clocker (see instructions below for details)

Setup the Clocker

1. Switch CLK SEL pin to EXT/INT according to customer needs
2. Connect MMCx cables according to the customer needs and boards specifications (see image below for reference): if the INT source is chosen, connect MMCx cable to INT CLK, otherwise connect external clocker to SMA EXT CLK
3. Connect the Clocker to the Kasli via 30-pin ports, or via external power supply
4. Connect the Clocker's SMA output to the Kasli's CLK/CLK IN SMA pin
5. After assembling the crates and flashing the firmware, start Kasli and set config if needed: artiq_coremgmt config write -s rtio_clock ext0_bypass. Please refer to the official manual for the details and available options. In most cases you may skip this step.
6. Reboot either via artiq_coremgmt reboot or via power supply if the board's firmware doesn't have such command

Testing

Run artiq_sinara_test and check that it doesn't fail on the connected devices.

Alternatively, if it would be shipped standalone:

1. Switch to external source
2. Connect to the external CLK IN clock source (frequency generator) via SMA cable
3. Power up Clocker with power supply or EEM
4. Check via oscilloscope all (internal and external) clocker outputs, that they output clock signal respective to the input frequency
5. Shut down Clocker
6. Switch to internal source
7. Connect clock source to the internal CLK IN via MMCx cable
8. Check outputs' signals via steps 3-4