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AWR2944EVM: AWR2944 in mmwave studio

Stefan Zechner
Prodigy 40 points
Part Number: AWR2944EVM
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: AWR2944, , DCA1000EVM, IWR6843ISK

Hi,

I followed the instructions of the AWR2944 user guide to setup AWR2944EVM + DCA1000 in mmwave studio 3.1.1.0

However, I see 8 Com ports but none of them connects successfully.

The last mmwavestudio starts I even sometimes see "No. of Devices Detected: 2". I guess it detects the DCA1000 as extra device!?

I tried different machine with same result.

What am I missing? Do I have to flash the board?
Do I have to follow a certain power up / reset procedure?

thanks
Stefan

[10:14:47]  [RadarAPI]: Opening Gpio Control Port()
[10:14:47]  [RadarAPI]: Status: Passed
[10:14:48]  [RadarAPI]: Opening Board Control Port()
[10:14:48]  [RadarAPI]: Status: Passed
[10:14:49]  [RadarAPI]: ar1.FullReset()
[10:14:49]  [RadarAPI]: Status: Passed
[10:14:50]  [RadarAPI]: Closing Board Control Port()
[10:14:50]  [RadarAPI]: Status: Passed
[10:14:50]  [RadarAPI]: Closing Gpio Control Port()
[10:14:50]  [RadarAPI]: Status: Passed
[10:14:50]  [RadarAPI]: ar1.SOPControl(2)
[10:14:50]  [RadarAPI]: Status: Passed
[10:14:52]  [RadarAPI]: ar1.Connect(16,921600,1000)
[10:14:55]  [RadarAPI]: Error: Connection failed: Calling_ConnectTarget returned 3
[10:14:55]  [RadarAPI]: ar1.Calling_IsConnected()
[10:14:55]  [RadarAPI]: ar1.SaveSettings('C:\Users\Stefan\AppData\Roaming\RSTD\ar1gui.ini')

  • +1
    TI__Mastermind 25105 points

    Hello Stefan,

    If you are using the DCA1000EVM with the AWR2944 then only connect the FTDI cable to the AWR2944 and not the DCA1000EVm. It should only show one device.

    Regards,
    Saswat Kumar

  • 0 in reply to Saswat Kumar
    Prodigy 40 points

    Hi,

    thanks. Then I only see 1 device. But this doesn't solve my COM connection problem.

    I realized that doing multiple power after ~5 tries I get a single successful connect.

    Unfortunately the next step loading the firmware is hanging at 0%:
    ar1.DownloadBSSFw("C:\\ti\\mmwave_studio_03_01_01_00\\rf_eval_firmware\\AWR2944_ES2\\radarss\\xwr29xx_radarss.bin")

    So something is still not stable.

    I use the exact 12V - 2A power supply you propose in the user guide.

    Regards,
    Stefan

  • 0 in reply to Stefan Zechner
    TI__Mastermind 25105 points

    Hello Stefan,

    Can you try with the Baudrate of the RS232 as 921600 not the 115200?

    Regards,
    Saswat Kumar

  • 0 in reply to Saswat Kumar
    Prodigy 40 points

    with 921k I never get a connection. With 115k sometimes, but it's obviously not stable.

    I switched back to the IWR6843ISK board and this works in mmwave studio 2.1.1 without any issue. With the same DCA1000 board and same USB and Samtec cable.

    But my 2944EVM seems to be good. Flashing the point cloud demo shows radar detections in demo visualizer.

    I also realized, In SOP mode "Development" for mmwave studio the 2944 board shows LED9 WRMRST flashing every couple of seconds. Is this normal?

    Regards,
    Stefan

  • 0 in reply to Saswat Kumar
    Prodigy 40 points

    thanks Saswat!

    I did a complete fresh install once more and it's working now.

    Although I can't tell what was the issue. Probably combination of USB hubs or USB driver issue. I will add if it appears again.

    Regards,
    Stefan

  • 0 in reply to Stefan Zechner
    Prodigy 40 points

    finally got it. It's the power up procedure.

    2944EVM is hanging in endless bootup (WRMRST blinking every 5 sec) if DCA1000 is already powered up or USB FTDI is already connected.

    So for me the procedure to bring up the device must be:

    • Disconnect all cables
    • Connect power to 2944EVM and wait 5s for successful start
    • Connect FTDI USB
    • Connect power to DCA1000

    Am I the only person who has this problem?

    Regards,
    Stefan

  • 0 in reply to Stefan Zechner
    TI__Guru* 91206 points

    Stefan - 

    Are you saying that the order of operations as listed on pages 20 and 21 of the AWR2944EVM User Manual are not correct? 

  • 0 in reply to Josh Wyatt
    Prodigy 40 points

    I don't read this paragraph as an order of operations. Do you connect the Samtec cable after you put the power to the board?

    In fact I haven't seen any advise that the USB cables must be disconnected when you active power. Also, this was never requried for any previous mmwave boards.

    If the DCA1000 power and USB cable connect order is relevant it should be explicitly written in this section.

    BR
    Stefan

  • 0 in reply to Stefan Zechner
    TI__Guru* 91206 points

    Stefan - 

    I believe (at the moment) the numbered list is possibly intended to indicate order of steps. We will double check this on our side and update the document to clarify, as that is a great recommendation - I 100% agree. 

    Also, as a point of using E2E - when you reply, if you hit Customer Verified, it closes the post on our side, so - please use the REPLY button in the future, so it will keep it open. If your question is answered and you are satisfied with that, then that is the time to select customer verified to indicate your satisfaction. Thanks!