DDS39RFS10: About DDS39RFS10 DDS mode

Part Number: DDS39RFS10
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DDS39RF10

Hi TI,

I'm using the DDS39RF10 in DDS mode (no JESD204C link) and observing only a DC bias at the DAC output with no signal waveform. I need help identifying the issue.

Setup:

  • Device: DDS39RF10
  • External clock input (CLK+/CLK-): 3.5 GHz
  • Target output frequency: 355 MHz
  • Output mode: NRZ (355 MHz is within the 1st Nyquist zone)
  • Output measurement: Differential probe on DACOUT+/DACOUT-
  • DDS mode: JESD_EN = 0, DDS_EN = 1, DP_EN = 1

Configuration completed (per Section 8.1.2 DDS Mode Startup Procedure):

Register Address Value Written Readback
JESD_EN 0x0100 0x00 0x00
NCO_CTRL 0x0300 0x03 0x03
JESD_M 0x0102 0x02 0x02 (1 DDS channel)
DUC_FORMAT 0x02E3 0x00 0x00
DAC_SRC 0x02E4 0x01 0x01
MMODE 0x02E8 NRZ mode 0X00
AMP[0] 0x0318 0x7FFF 0x7FFF
FREQ[0] 0x0320

0x19f7390d2a6c4000

(Calculated for 355 MHz)

0x19f7390d2a6c4000
PHASE[0] 0x0340 0x0000 0x0000
DP_EN 0x02E0 0x01 0x01
TX_EN 0x02F9 0x03 0x03
SPI_SYNC 0x0304 0x00 0x00

NCO synchronization: Performed SPI_SYNC after writing AMP/FREQ/PHASE. Waited ≥80μs after DP_EN.

Readback verification:

  • CHIP_ID (0x0004): 0x003B
  • AMP_R (0x0378): 0xFFFF
  • FREQ_R (0x0380): 0x19f7390d2a6c4000
  • TX_EN (0x02F9): 0x03
  • CLK+/-: 3.5GHz(measured via spectrum analyzer )

Problem: All readback registers confirm correct configuration and NCO synchronization. However, the DAC output (measured differentially on DACOUT+/DACOUT-) shows only a DC bias with no signal waveform.

Questions:

  1. 1.Is there any additional register or condition required for DDS mode to actually drive the DAC output, beyond DDS_EN, DP_EN, TX_EN, DAC_SRC, and the waveform parameters?
  2. 2.Is there a specific register sequence dependency I might be missing?
  3. 3.Are there any known issues with DDS mode output that could result in a DC-only output?
  4. 4.Is there an internal status register I can check to verify the DDS datapath is actually active and routing data to the DAC?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.