Quick signal generator with ADF5355, PIC32 suitable?

[pratiken]

Hi guys

Would a PIC32 be suitable for simple SPI control of an ADF5355 signal synthesizer? From what I gather, the ADF5355 requires 32 bits programmed via SPI. The PIC32 should have no problem handling that, right?

ADF5355
http://www.analog.com/en/products/rf-microwave/pll-synth/adf5355.html

PIC32
http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?product=PIC32MX795F512H

Thanks
Pratiken

[Paul Price]

Almost any MCU could be used to do this, even any 8-bit without SPI with a little code, maybe easier if the MCU has SPI, the PIC32 is fine, overkill. The most important consideration is to match MCU Vdd operating voltage with this synth chip.

[KE5FX]

From what I gather, the ADF5355 requires 32 bits programmed via SPI. The PIC32 should have no problem handling that, right?

I don't mean to sound discouraging (quite the contrary!) but the fact that you're asking this question means that you've got at least two big learning curves ahead of you.  The  project is doable, but it isn't going to be "quick," as your subject line suggests.     Budget for a least a few days spent reading data sheets and programming manuals. 

If you can find a similar project that someone else has already undertaken -- and you probably can, as these SPI-controlled synthesizer chips are all very similar underneath -- it could put you ahead of the game.

[pratiken]

Thanks for the confirmation guys!!
Thankfully, I'm just following the RF engineer's directions. I've worked a lot with PIC32's in the past and when a request for controlling something with SPI first came to me, PIC32 was the first thing that came to mind. I'll definitely have to look into how the 5355 works. It seems pretty intricate, but very doable.

Thanks again!

[analogNewbie]

I would start with ADF4351.

[VE2UM]

I easily made it in assembly on an 8bit PIC16LF1847 and the code is compact enough to transert it on the 8-pin PIC12LF1840

...I only have some tweaks to do (large frequency changes).

[JS]

Almost any MCU could be used to do this, even any 8-bit without SPI with a little code, maybe easier if the MCU has SPI, the PIC32 is fine, overkill. The most important consideration is to match MCU Vdd operating voltage with this synth chip.

Seems to be compatible with 1.8V logic, so probably fine with anything from there up to 3.3V

JS