GRCon21 - pyadi-jif: JESD204 tools for mere mortals

Presented by Travis Collins at GNU Radio Conference 2021 In this presentation, we will discuss a new open-source tool for configuring systems that utilize the JESD204 specification called pyadi-jif or JIF for short. JESD204 is an electrical specification used by modern high-speed data converters to transfer data between ASICs, FPGAs, and even other converters which are at the heart of wideband software radios. Even though JESD204 greatly simplifies the physical layout between devices, it transfers this complexity to the FPGA and software components of a system. JIF is a library designed to help model the JESD204 configuration requirements of the different components in the system and provide optimized configurations for all the connected devices. Allowing system designers to quickly generate configurations, validate their designs, and even update devices on the fly within constraints. The talk will start with a basic introduction to JESD204 and the available HDL and software drivers for those new to the area. Then an overview of JIF will be provided and the theory behind its design. This will include examples of real-world systems and components, how they impact radios connected to GNU Radio, and how JIF can be used with GNU Radio itself. For those working in the field of wideband RF or just entering, this talk will provide a useful introduction to the core technology of JESD204 used in modern systems, and new open tooling that they can leverage to help their development of devices connected to GNU Radio and other ecosystems. https://events.gnuradio.org/event/8/