IWR1443BOOST: What is the minimum object size it can detect?

Hi Amit,

The short answer is (somewhat frustratingly) it depends.

There are a few important concepts here. The first is radar cross section (RCS). A radar cross section is a function of an object's surface area and reflectivity. Metals and water (which includes living things as we're mostly made of water) have high reflectivity, so they generate a relatively large RCS. Some plastics, dry wood, drywall and other materials are less reflective, so even at small distances, the radar will have trouble picking them up.

Additionally, this will also depend on the scene of detection. we use an algorithm called CFAR to detect objects. It detects objects based off the difference in the reflections between adjacent areas. Basically, if you suspend an object in the air, it will be much easier to detect at 2m than if you place it on the ground and surround it with other objects.

As for if your objects can be detected in your scene, you may have to just measure and see, depending on the object and the scene. We did something similar with detecting coins at short distances in this experiment. Perhaps you can use the techniques it describes as a starting point.

https://dev.ti.com/tirex/explore/node?node=AJWaDzkjXCZGhvD9P6WzBg__VLyFKFf__LATEST

Best,

Nate

Hi Amit,

This may be possible. It really depends on whether the leaves are radar transparent. The pests will more than likely be reflective, but the leaves may be reflective too if they get wet. I would expect living, wet wood from the trees to be reflective too, so it may be hard to determine if you can find a quantitative difference between the radar returns of an empty leaf and a leaf with a pest. You'll really want to order an evaluation module and find out.

Best,

Nate

Hi Amit,

I don't know of any commercial radar products that go above 77 GHz. I don't know of a sensor that will assist you here, but I wish you good luck in your project!

Best,

Nate