Getting Started with the NAFE13388-UIM

2.1 Board Features

• A complete evaluation platform for the NAFE13388
• Eight input SW configurable AI-AFE
• Easy-to-use GUI-based software demonstrates the capabilities of the NAFE11388 and NAFE13388, which are representative of the AI-AFE family, depending on the part installed on the board
• An external power supply can be used to power the NAFE13388-UIM expansion board
• Convenient test points for easy scope measurements and signal access
• USB interface to the host PC

2.2 Board Description

The NAFE13388-UIM expansion board features a highly configurable, industrial-grade, multichannel analog input AFE (AI-AFE) family of parts that meets high-precision measurement requirements. The device is composed of a low-leakage, high-voltage multiplexer, low-offset drift buffers, a low noise and drifts PGA, a precision 24-bit sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a low-drift voltage reference.

The AI-AFE family integrates:

• Input protection circuit for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and misuse wire scenarios
• Diagnostic circuits for input, open and short circuit and impedance detection

An advanced diagnostic circuit is implemented for channel loopback reading, and output voltage or current bias circuits. The two precise reference voltage sources enable end-to-end system self-calibration and advanced anomaly detection for predictive maintenance.

This NAFE13388-UIM expansion board enables quick evaluation of AFE and plug-and-play compatibility with MCU boards having Arduino connector.

A graphical interface allows the user to easily explore the different functions of the driver. The IC communicates to the host via the industry-standard SPI-bus port. The evaluation software runs under the Microsoft Windows 7, 8, and 10 PC platforms.

2.3 Board Components

Figure 1 and Figure 2 identify important components on the board and Table 1 provides additional details on these components.

Figure 1. Board image with callouts (top)

Figure 1. Board image with callouts (top)

Figure 2. Board image with callouts (bottom)

Figure 2. Board image with callouts (bottom)

Table 1. Evaluation board featured components location.

3.1 Configure Hardware

To evaluate a complete solution, a FRDM-MCXN947 evaluation board and a USB cable are needed along with the NAFE13388-UIM expansion board. To set up the hardware, do the following:

1. Firmly connect the NAFE13388-UIM expansion board to the FRDM MCXN-947 evaluation board using the Arduino connectors
2. To connect both boards, slide J1, J2, J3 and J4 male connectors at the bottom side of the NAFE13388- UIM expansion board into the appropriate female connectors on the FRDM MCX-N 947 evaluation board as shown in Figure 3

Figure 3. NAFE13388-UIM expansion board connected to the FRDM-MCXN947 evaluation board



Figure 3. NAFE13388-UIM expansion board connected to the FRDM-MCXN947 evaluation board


3. Connect a DC power adapter to a DC power jack (J7) on the NAFE13388-UIM expansion board. Approximately 0.4 V accounts for the voltage drop across the Schottky diode for reverse polarity protection
4. Use a USB to Type-C cable to connect the PC (USB) to the FRDM-MCXN947 evaluation board