DCA1000EVM: Radars clock synchronization

Alejandro Castilla Garcia

Part Number: DCA1000EVM
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: IWR6843, IWR1843BOOST, , SK-TDA4VM

Hi, I have 2 IWR6843 radars and 2 DCA1000EVMs. I want to synchronize the clock of both radars and capture raw data with the DCA. How can I do that?

I was thinking of connecting both radars with a cable, and by pressing the "Trigger Frame" button after the previous configuration in mmWaveStudio, the trasmitter radar sends a start flag through the cable by any pin to the other radar. Is it possible, and if it is, how do I do it?

I need to synchronize the clock of both radars because I need them to start exactly at the same time (with a very, very low time error).

Thanks and regards.

over 1 year ago

0 Pedrhom Nafisi over 1 year ago

TI__Genius 12526 points

Hello,

You can sync two mmWave sensors via either hardware (SYNC_IN pin) or software implementations. We have a guide on this within our mmWave ROS Driver directory that goes over the general process of what is needed for syncing.

Clone this repo: git clone git.ti.com/.../mmwave_ti_ros.git

Go to and open: mmwave_ti_ros\ros_driver\src\ti_mmwave_rospkg\docs\Multi_sensor_time_synchronization.md

Best Regards,

Pedrhom

0 Alejandro Castilla Garcia over 1 year ago in reply to Pedrhom Nafisi

Prodigy 120 points

Hello,

I have been reviewing that repository and it is designed to be used with a SK-TDA4VM device and an IWR1843BOOST. In my case, I have a DCA1000EVM and an IWR6843, is there any way to achieve synchronization with these devices? (in the case of the IWR6843, the SYNC_IN pin is not accessible).

Can I use the Master-Slave mode to achieve the synchronization with the IWR6843?

Thanks and regards.

0 Pedrhom Nafisi over 1 year ago in reply to Alejandro Castilla Garcia

TI__Genius 12526 points

Hello,

For the hardware approach you would need a third device of some sort to generate that pulse/signal to be sent to the two sensors. It does not have to be a SK-TDA4VM, if you have something laying around it can be something like a Raspberry Pi, as long as it is a module that can connect to the SYNC_IN pin which would be accessible after doing small board modifications. You can also get a ICBOOST carrier board which attaches to the IWR6843 has an accessible SYNC_IN port.

Yes you can use Master-Slave to sync multiple mmWave Sensors. This is a thread that goes over the topic. https://e2e.ti.com/support/sensors-group/sensors/f/sensors-forum/919375/awr1443boost-realization-of-spi-control-using-two-awr1443boost/3402881#3402881

Best Regards,

Pedrhom Nafisi

0 Alejandro Castilla Garcia over 1 year ago in reply to Pedrhom Nafisi

Prodigy 120 points

In the case of "Slave-Master" mode, can you explain how it works, what each parameter means, and how it should be configured?

Thanks and regards.

0 Pedrhom Nafisi over 1 year ago in reply to Alejandro Castilla Garcia

TI__Genius 12526 points

Hello,

Those settings are for mmWave cascade boards (https://www.ti.com/tool/MMWCAS-RF-EVM) which have multiple chips on one board. You would need to use a communication protocol such as SPI separate from mmWaveStudio in order to sync.

Best Regards,

Pedrhom Nafisi

0 Alejandro Castilla Garcia over 1 year ago in reply to Pedrhom Nafisi

Prodigy 120 points

Ok, can you explain or show me a video on how to activate "Master-Slave Mode" with the IWR6843? I can't find clear information on this.

Thanks and regards.

0 Pedrhom Nafisi over 1 year ago in reply to Alejandro Castilla Garcia

TI__Genius 12526 points

Hello,

We have code for using SPI for Master-Slave mode within our mmWave SDK. There is a test .xer4f binary and source code with comments that tests this functionality.

C:\ti\mmwave_sdk_03_06_00_00-LTS\packages\ti\drivers\spi\test

Best Regards,

Pedrhom Nafisi

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DCA1000EVM: Radars clock synchronization