AWR1843: How to evaluate PCB board performance and problems

Hello Charles,

The transmitted power level depends on the RF trace leangths/losses, antenna gain etc. Have you copied the same antenna design and same RF traces as the AWR1843BOOST?

Regards,

Vivek

Hi,

  The antenna design is the same as the AWR1843BOOST.

  How to evaluate RF trace leangths/losses?

Hello Charles,

Ideally you should perform simulations to look at the trace losses, using tools like HFSS etc. You could do a simple test to see if your trace+antenna gain is worse. Using a simple chirp configuration you could compare the signal peak level (in 1D or 2D FFT plots) of a strong object kept at a fixed distance. Using a corner reflector is preferable. You could see if the received signal level on your board is lower than that of the TI EVM.

regards,
Vivek 

HI VIvek，

  How to test the received signal level? What instruments can be used and which locations can be tested?

Thank you 

Hello Charles,

You dont need any instruments. You can keep a corner reflector at 3 -5 m distance from the sensor and transmit the chirps from the AWR device. Then as usual analyse the ADC data received on the receviers and performa 1D FFT / 2D FFT as you would in your regular processing. The FFTs should show you the corner reflect peak.

Regards,
Vivek

Hi Vivek.

  In MRR demo, is the reflect peak?

Thank you