2.2 Software and Tools Requirements

Microchip provides the necessary firmware or software and tools to perform different measurements:

  • Microchip PLC PHY Tester Firmware – The Apps_Phy_Tester_Tool application configures PLC PHY layer and its serial interface to communicate with any application that implements the corresponding Universal Serial Interface (USI) protocol, PROTOCOL_PHY, like the Microchip PLC PHY Tester Tool, to send and receive PLC messages from/to the PLC line and check the PLC transmission or reception processes between boards. This firmware will be loaded into the DUT and the Reference Device. For the DUT, the user must adapt the original PHY Tester Tool project to the hardware specifications of the design. The Apps_Phy_Tester_Tool project is part of the Microchip Smart Energy G3-PLC and PRIME suites.
  • Microchip PLC PHY Tester Tool – A PC tool developed to enable users to check basic characteristics of the physical layer with Microchip PLC products.
  • A Python® Library Package, mchp_plc_tools – A collection of Python code to help users create their own Python scripts able to communicate with Microchip PLC boards and check the features of the physical layer. To install the different Python packages, a self-installable executable is included for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows or Python installation. Refer to the following packages:
    • mchp_plc_tools_utils
    • mchp_plc_tools_common
    • mchp_[plc|rf]_tools_phy_tester_public
  • Python PLC PHY Performance Validation Package – Includes the application for hardware validation analyzing the main parameters considered at communication level:
    • PHY Calibration Tool: Mainly helps to calibrate the transmission parameters according with the coupling design in terms of power transmission.
    • SNR and EVM Analysis: Mainly validates the TX in terms of linearity and TX power and the RX path in terms of sensitivity, EVM, and SNR.
    • Noise Analysis: Mainly validates the background and spurious noise floor present on the design.
    • Frequency Deviation Analysis: Mainly validates the main clock oscillator configuration for the PLC communications.