Analog Essentials
Getting Started Guide
1
For LX9 and Nexys-3
Overview
Maxim Analog Essentials are a series of plug-in peripheral modules that allow engineers to quickly test, evaluate, and
integrate Maxim components into their hardware/software designs. The modules electrically and physically conform to
the Digilent Pmod™ interface specification and are compatible with any Digilent Pmod-compatible header.
The Analog Essentials collection contains 15 peripheral module boards which are supported by prebuilt hardware and
software projects for various FPGA development boards which are compatible. This version of the Getting Started Guide
is applicable to LX9 and Nexys™-3 boards, both of which are based on Spartan®-6 FPGAs. Users of the other FPGA boards
should refer to different versions of this guide.
Important notes – please read carefully
1. ESD Sensitivity. These modules are intended to be used in an electronic prototyping setting.
They are sensitive to static charge and are subject to damage if proper precautions against
ESD are not taken. When handling these modules, the user should take the same care and
precautions as when working with other ESD sensitive prototypes.
2. Plug – Connector mating. Many plug-in modules contain only one row of six pins, while most Pmod connectors
contain two rows of six contacts each. When plugging in a module with a single row of pins, always plug the
module into the top row of contacts.
3. Plug in with care. Please exercise care when plugging the modules into the Pmod port. The connectors are not
keyed, so it is possible to incorrectly plug in the module and misalign the pins. Although each module includes
series resistors to provide current limiting, in some cases it is still possible to damage the module if it is
incorrectly plugged in.
4. Nexys-3 and LX9 Differences. Most of the instructions in this document refer to both the Nexys-3 board and the
LX9. Instances where a procedure is specific to one board or other will be denoted by the following indicators:
Additional components required
Interested users may wish to obtain additional components to evaluate the following modules:
MAX3231MPMB1 – this module requires a 10mm, 3V lithium primary type coin cell. The generic battery type is CR1025.
Specific examples of this battery are Panasonic #CR1025 and Energizer #CR1025.
MAX31855PMB1 – this module requires a K-Type thermocouple with subminiature connector. Omega series 5SRTC are
suitable (
www.omega.com). Lower cost alternatives may be available via eBay.
