Part I:  Hardware

0.  Here is an electrical schematic of the Seekat.

1.  Buy everything on the part list. We assume you have jumper wires and chip resistors on hand. If not, buy those too.

2.  Solder a 14-pin header to the AD5764 eval board (see below) so the Arduino can communicate with the AD5764 via SPI. 3.  The AD5764 eval board has 14 jumpers that set various options on the board.  Refer to the datasheet for a complete description.  For the Seekat, set the jumpers like this (refer to the picture below):

                   LK1: B               LK2: C             LK3, 5A, 5B, 6, 12, 13, 14: leave in place           LK4: B           LK7: A             LK8: B            LK9: B            LK10: remove            LK11: A

4. Machine holes in the enclosure front panel for BNC feedthroughs and indicator LEDs, and in the back panel for the D-sub power and USB feedthroughs. Attach all the feedthroughs to the enclosure and attach the front and back panels. For machining simplicity, we used circular BNC feedthroughs. Use lock-washers for the BNCs and make the nuts nice and tight; alternatively, machine D-holes and get appropriate feedthroughs.

5. Now solder headers and screw terminals to the Seekat Due Arduino shield (see below). You can ensure a good fit to the Arduino if you solder the headers with the shield in place, just make sure not to overheat the Arduino (be quick and minimize soldering iron heat).

6. Connect the Arduino and USB feedthrough using the 6-inch USB A-B cables, and connect the SMB-BNC cables to the chassis and the AD5764 eval boards. Then attach the three PCBs (two AD5764 eval boards and Arduino) to the enclosure with mushroom-head fasteners.
7.  Make power connections as shown below. Twisted pairs for power likely have no benefit, but they keep things tidy. You will have an easier time with the screw terminals if you use solid conductor hook-up wire. The SMB cables to the AD5764 boards are shown connected below, but other wiring may be easier if you save those until the end.

8. Wire the power and communication indicator LEDs as shown below. For the power LED, solder two 910 ohm resistors at both ends. If the LED doesn’t light up when you plug in the power cable, try reversing the leads.

9. Make the connections for communication using two ribbon cables between the Arduino shield and the J21 pins on the EVAL-AD5764 boards.

  10. Put the lid on your enclosure and the hardware is done! Plug in the power and the +/- 15 V; the indicator LEDs will turn on, but the communication LED will not turn on until the Seekat firmware is uploaded to the Arduino.