IWR1443: Custom designs

Lachlan Bunney

Part Number: IWR1443

Hi,

I'm trying to create a system using the IWR1443 for imaging purposes (imaging about a 15 degree cone at approx 5-15m distances), and have realised that with the IWR1443BOOST module there are severe limitations for the angular resolution, and that only CFAR Object detection can be used to find a point cloud?

I'm aware the DCA1000 allows the raw data to be extracted if I wish to define points in my point cloud based on custom algorithms, however I wonder if this is only an option for the full EVM, and if using the IWR1443 chips on a custom board there is another easy method for full data extraction? I would love to be able to use the 1643 because of the integrated DSP and the additional memory, however I need elevation information.

I would also like to know if there are any tools that can be used to help develop and order custom designed cascaded systems that I can use to improve the angular resolution of the design.

I greatly appreciate your help,

Lachlan

for clarity: I want to be able to use custom algorithms, need elevation information, and need high angular resolution (as close to 1 degree or lower as I can). What tools are available to help do this?

over 5 years ago

0 CHETHAN KUMAR Y.B. over 5 years ago

TI__Mastermind 25795 points

Hello Lachlan,

If you would like to build a custom board (Single chip mmWave sensor)and extract raw ADC data for your point cloud based on custom algorithms then you need to provide DCA1000 hardware interface (In this interface we would capture high speed serial LVDS data on DCA1000 hardware and further processed in PC framework using mmWave studio).

Current single chip mmWave sensors will not be able to offer 1 degree or lower angular resolution for imaging applications. For this you need to cascade multiple chips to get more transmitters and receivers to improve the angular resolution.

Cascading is currently supported in 1243 device family.
www.ti.com/.../AWR1243

For such high degree of angular resolution you may want to cascade 4 devices to get close to 1 degree angular resolution. There is an app note written for the cascade application in the below link:
www.ti.com/.../swra574a.pdf

You may also want to review some of the training videos on cascade for imaging applications:
training.ti.com/build-cascaded-radar-using-tis-mmwave-sensors
training.ti.com/imaging-radar-using-multiple-single-chip-fmcw-transceivers

Thanks and regards,
CHETHAN KUMAR Y.B.

0 Lachlan Bunney over 5 years ago in reply to CHETHAN KUMAR Y.B.

Prodigy 50 points

Thanks, this was very helpful

Is there any idea able to be offered as to the angular resolution of the IWR1443 in the elevation direction?

Thanks :D

0 CHETHAN KUMAR Y.B. over 5 years ago in reply to Lachlan Bunney

TI__Mastermind 25795 points

Hello,

In 1443 device over all you could have maximum 12 number (3*4) virtual Antenna pairs, by placing them with distance "d" (Typically this would be lamda/2 to get maximum unambiguous FOV) in Azimuth and Elevation would dictate the angle resolution available in Azimuth/Elevation direction.

Within the limited number of Tx/Rx pairs and placement of Antennas you would trade-off between Azimuth/Elevation direction Angle resolution.

Introduction on this you could refer to below app note.
www.ti.com/.../swra554a.pdf

More detail on this topic you could find from the below link (Especially Module 5 : Angle Estimation):
training.ti.com/.../mmwaveSensing-FMCW-offlineviewing_3.pdf

Also you could look at the Angle estimation training series from the below link.
training.ti.com/intro-mmwave-sensing-fmcw-radars-module-5-angle-estimation

Thanks and regards,
CHETHAN KUMAR Y.B.

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IWR1443: Custom designs