TIDEP-01012: Syncronising external camera to radar frames

David Smith12

Part Number: TIDEP-01012

Hello TI Team,

I am trying to synchronize an external camera with the mmWave Cascade radar. Ideally, each frame of the camera should coincide with a frame from the radar. There are already posts on this topic see:

https://e2e.ti.com/support/sensors-group/sensors/f/sensors-forum/1043977/tidep-01012-help-for-external-triggering-on-cascade-radar

https://e2e.ti.com/support/sensors-group/sensors/f/sensors-forum/878236/tidep-01012-cascade-imaging-radar-sync-log-with-camera

But these appear to relate to triggering the radar from an external source, for my application I need the radar to act as a trigger to the external source. According to the documentation there is a GPIO7_27 pin labelled AWR Extern SYNC, would this pin output a signal at the start of each frame? Additionally, if this pin could be used as a trigger for an external device, where is the pin physically located, as it is not labelled in any diagrams?

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely.

over 1 year ago

0 Kaushik Gowda over 1 year ago

TI__Mastermind 20605 points

Hi David,

You can use the DIG_SYNCOUT pin to output a digital signal when the frame is triggered on the AWR device. Each of the 4 devices have their own DIG_SYNCOUT which you can use. This is also the one that is used for synchronization of cascaded devices.

Let me know if anything else is required.

Regards,

Kaushik

0 David Smith12 over 1 year ago in reply to Kaushik Gowda

Prodigy 70 points

Dear Kaushik,

Thank you for the prompt response. How do I physically probe/access this pin?

Sincerely

0 Kaushik Gowda over 1 year ago in reply to David Smith12

TI__Mastermind 20605 points

Hi David,

The RF EVM has the markings for these pins (You can also refer to the schematic/ PCB layout). With some hardware changes, you should be able to draw it out and use it.

Regards,

Kaushik

0 David Smith12 over 1 year ago in reply to Kaushik Gowda

Prodigy 70 points

Hi Kaushik,

Thank you, following the schematics it appears the DIG_SYNCOUT pin for AWR 1 is the TP1_1 solder pad located near in the R142 resister cluster on the rear of the board. Could you please provide some clarity on what hardware changes may be required? Can I simply solder a pin to the TP1_1 solder pad or is a more complex circuit required. I do not want to damage the board.

Sincerely

0 Kaushik Gowda over 1 year ago in reply to David Smith12

TI__Mastermind 20605 points

Hi David,

You might have to solder R143 to use the DIG_SYNCOUT here. Let me communicate with the EVM expert to let you know exactly what needs to be done. Please wait for their response.

Regards,

Kaushik

0 aozer over 1 year ago in reply to David Smith12

TI__Mastermind 27085 points

Hello,

Yes, you can directly access this signal on TP1_1. There would not be any additional board modifications needed.

Regards,

Adrian

0 David Smith12 over 1 year ago in reply to aozer

Prodigy 70 points

Excellent, thank you.

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TIDEP-01012: Syncronising external camera to radar frames