Post Go back to editing

ADRF5048-EVALZ not working properly

Category: Hardware
Product Number: ADRF5048

Hi, 

We recently bought ADRF5048-EVALZ which we want to use for rapidly switching on and off a RF source. When testing the device it starts drawing currents that are much higher than what the manual suggest it should. At the moment we are just powering it by connecting the VDD & VSS pins and measuring the transmitted RF between ports RC and RF1.

Our setup is as follows:

1. Connect GND and VDD at 3.3V, the PSU is limited to 1mA. (draws around 0.3mA)

2. Connect VSS at -3.3V, also limited to 1mA. (draw around 0.9 mA)

3. Measure transmitted RF-tone between RFC & RF1. The power of the RF is -25dBm. 

After a while, typically a minute or two, the circuit starts drawing a higher current and no longer transmits the RF1. If the switch is restarted (turning off and on the power to VSS & VDD), it works again for a short while. 

I've also attached an image of the setup. VDD is connected to channel 3 on the PSU and VSS to channel 1. 

 

Is the switch faulty, or is there something I'm missing? This is the only tests we have done apart from connecting VSS & VDD individually and noting the current drawn of each. 

Edit: It seems like what's happening is that every two minutes the circuit draws a higher current and automatically switches from routing the RF between RF1--RFC it instead routes it via RF2, then RF3 until it stabilizes at RF4. Any ide what might cause this?

Thank you!



Added more information about the issue we are experiencing
[edited by: Ludvig at 7:27 AM (GMT -4) on 28 Oct 2024]
  • Hi Ludwig,

    ADRF5048 typically consumes ~0.15mA from Vdd and ~0.5mA from Vss. I suppose your current measurement is coarse and close to expected values. If there is no ESD, thermal or electrical overstress, signal transmit break is not expected. 

    From the screenshot I see V1 and V2 controls are floating, can you please apply a defined voltage to those pins, if you have not already? Also please make sure the mini grabber connectors attach well to test points and dont disconnect during the test.

  • Hi salemdar, 

    This was just the issue, that the V1 & V2 (& maybe LS?) test points where floating. Since we connected them to defined voltages it's working as intended. Thanks!