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DCA1000EVM: Realtime raw mmWave data capturing with DCA1000EVM

Part Number: DCA1000EVM
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: AWR1243

Hi,

We have a IWR1443EVM (ES2) and a DCA1000EVM, we would like to capture the raw data and post-process it on PC in real-time. We are thinking of the following procedure:

  1. Flash the "Studio CLI" radar image on to the IWR1443EVM, to bypass the on-board processing and the memory constrain.
  2. Use the "DCA1000 CLI" tool to configure and start the capture in infinite mode. The "maxRecFileSize_MB" will be set small, so that we will have files ready to be post-processed in real-time.
  3. Use a serial port tool to configure the radar and start it. We have done this with the OOB demo image.

And we have the following questions:

  1. Does this procedure sound valid? Is there anything we should be particularly careful with?
  2. The "Studio CLI" project seems have been removed from the resource explorer, is it no longer available? We don't want to use the OOB demo image as we want to bypass the L3 memory constrain.
  3. When we finish the capture and stop the DCA1000, is it guaranteed that the last frame will be complete? Or will it stop at an arbitrary position?

Thanks for your help.

Han

  • Hello Han, 

    Yes, your procedure looks feasible. Although I just need to check if the DCA1000 captured file size is configurable or not. If the expected file size of the raw data collected is less than 1 GB (for example, when only a few frames are captured), than the captured file will be less than 1 GB. In cases of large or infinite captures (like your case), once the size of the captured file reaches 1 GB, then this file is capped at that size and a new file will be created to ensure all of the raw data is collected.

    And I dont think it is possible to change the limit of the captured data file. Let me still check that and get back to you on this and your Q2. 

    Regards,

    Ishita

  • Thanks Ishita, any update on this?

  • Hello Han, 

    Sorry for the delay due to holidays. 

    Yes, you were absolutely right. The captured file size is configurable using the maxRecFileSize_MB variable. 

    And on your Q2, Studio CLI is a part of the platforms Toolbox. See the following link : https://dev.ti.com/tirex/explore/node?node=APGFSbQdLPyKV9xwtnje.g__Z2F8GEn__LATEST 

    Regards,

    Ishita

  • Thank you Ishita, could you please help on our 3rd question? When we are recording in the infinite mode, then when we finish and send the stop command, is it guaranteed that the last frame will be complete (i.e. all chirps in the last frame will be complete)? Or will it stop at an arbitrary chirp? 

  • Hello Han, 

    Yes you're right on the 3rd question. It will take the command when issued, but will complete the ongoing frame (i.e. all the chirps in the last frame) and then stop the capture. 

    Regards,

    Ishita

  • Thanks, we have one further question. From the DCA1000 user guide, it says: "LVDS data rates support a maximum of 600 Mbps. It supports both 4 lanes (xWR1243/1443) and 2 lanes (xWR1642)." Could you please confirm if the 600 Mbps is for four-lane together, or for each lane (so that total becomes 600x4=2.4 Gbps)? 

    In this thread "https://e2e.ti.com/support/sensors-group/sensors/f/sensors-forum/934935/dca1000evm-maximum-data-transfer-rate", it says that the maximum data rate is 3.6 Gbps with AWR1243, which is confusing us.

  • Hello Han,

    Sorry for the delay. Due to Thanksgiving holidays in the US, we're a little low on support this week, so it's taking a bit of time to respond to queries. 

    The correct max LVDS date rate is mentioned in the respective device datasheets which is 900Mbps per lane. I think the DCA1000 user guide has an error. Let me check with the owner once again and get back to you. 

    The explanation given by our expert Vivek in the linked thread is correct. The max data rate for all four lanes will come out to be 3.6gbps but as he mentioned, this would not be continuous and depend on the chirp data amd timing. 

    I think the DCA1000 user guide, mentioning 600mbps, has an error. Let me check with the owner once again and get back to you. 

    Regards,

    Ishita

  • Hello Han, 

    I checked on this internally and here is what I have : 

    The DCA1000 card does not support 900Mbps rate and hence the maximum rate it can support is 600Mbps and that is what is documented. 

    Although the mmWave device has the capability to support LVDS rates up to 900Mbps. This is basically a DCA1000 limitation. 

    Regards,

    Ishita

  • Thanks Ishita. Just want to confirm it is 600Mbps 4-lane together, not 600Mbps per lane?