DCA1000EVM: real time data capture questions

Hank Tan

Part Number: DCA1000EVM
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: IWR6843, IWR6843ISK, , MMWAVEICBOOST

Hi, I am trying to use DCA1000EVM Data Capture Card to capture raw data generated by iWR6843ISK board. In my setup, I have the iWR6843ISK board connect to mmWave ICBoost board. When I open the DCA1000EVM user's guide, it only includes guidelines to capture data from iWR1xxx EVM, doesn't mention how to capture data from iWR6843 at all. I have two questions here:

1. Can I use DCA1000 to capture data from iWR6843ISK? If I can, how should I do it? Is there a user's guide for that?

2. In the DCA1000 user's guide, it seems the raw data can only been stored to a file, then I can use other software to open the file and analyze data. Is there way to send the raw data file to software such as Matlab etc. in real time? What I want to implement is to use iWR6843 to detect a moving object, then real time generate a signal in Matlab or some other programs.

Thanks,

Hank

6 months ago

0 Pedrhom Nafisi 6 months ago

TI__Genius 13286 points

Hello Hank,

You have multiple options here, first off for the most updated version of the user guide that include 6843, you can find this in our DCA1000 User Guide in our Radar Toolbox on the TI Developer Zone. This will cover everything you will need to know about getting started with raw data capture.

https://dev.ti.com/tirex/explore/node?a=1AslXXD__1.30.00.05&node=A__AGTrhNYW8jE6cMxbovlfaA__radar_toolbox__1AslXXD__1.30.00.05

If you want to use LVDS and no SPI interface, with the ability to immediately visualize your data with a built in post-recording MATLAB visualization, you can use the ADC Data Capture Tool

https://dev.ti.com/tirex/explore/node?a=1AslXXD__1.30.00.05&node=A__ACcj5qsn5G-kyhEttWYAjg__radar_toolbox__1AslXXD__1.30.00.05

With regards to using MATLAB, we have MATLAB examples within the mmWaveStudio installation directory at

C:\ti\mmwave_studio_02_01_01_00\mmWaveStudio\MatlabExamples\

Best Regards,

Pedrhom Nafisi

0 Hank Tan 6 months ago in reply to Pedrhom Nafisi

Prodigy 190 points

Hi Pedrhom, thanks a lot for the help. I'll give it a try and come back if I have more questions. Hank

0 Pedrhom Nafisi 6 months ago in reply to Hank Tan

TI__Genius 13286 points

Sounds good, good luck!

Best Regards,

Pedrhom

0 Hank Tan 6 months ago in reply to Hank Tan

Prodigy 190 points

I am following the user guide to set up the boards and got a few more questions. I plan to use the DCA1000 with iWR6843ISK and mmWaveICBoost boards. In the user guide, it shows the boards set up and wiring set up are:

I have two questions:

1. In the wiring set up figure, there is a Micro USB connected to both the mmWaveICBoost board and DCA1000 board. Where do these two Micro USB connect to on the other end?

2. In the wiring set up figure, a power supply is connected to the mmWaveICBoost board, but no power supply connected to the DCA1000 board. Does the DCA1000 board also need to connect to a 5V supply in this set up or it gets power through the Micro USB? If it's through Micro USB, where does that cable connect to?

Thanks,

Hank

0 Pedrhom Nafisi 6 months ago in reply to Hank Tan

TI__Genius 13286 points

Hello Hank,

1. In the wiring set up figure, there is a Micro USB connected to both the mmWaveICBoost board and DCA1000 board. Where do these two Micro USB connect to on the other end?

Both of these go to your computer. One is to communicate with DCA1000 and the other is the mmWave Sensor.

If you are using a mmWaveICBOOST and have 5V >2.5A connected to it, then you will not need to also have power to the DCA1000 although you are able to power both independently if desired. Ensure the "Switch to DC_JACK_5V_IN" is in the proper position so that there are lights on, on the DCA1000 and mmWaveICBOOST

Best Regards,

Pedrhom

0 Hank Tan 6 months ago in reply to Pedrhom Nafisi

Prodigy 190 points

Thanks, Pedrhom.

0 Pedrhom Nafisi 6 months ago in reply to Hank Tan

TI__Genius 13286 points

No problem!

Best Regards,

Pedrhom

0 Hank Tan 6 months ago in reply to Hank Tan

Prodigy 190 points

Hi Pedrhom, I have one more question here. In the wiring setup figure, a Ethernet cable is connected between the DCA1000 board and PC. Is this connection absolutely necessary? One laptop I want to do the project doesn't have a Ethernet connector.

0 Hank Tan 6 months ago in reply to Pedrhom Nafisi

Prodigy 190 points

Pedrhom, I connected the DCA1000 board as you suggest, no DC power supply and set the switch in proper position (I tried both), but the DCA1000 board is not lighting up. Could you check the below setup and let me know what is wrong? Thanks!

0 Pedrhom Nafisi 6 months ago in reply to Hank Tan

TI__Genius 13286 points

Hello Hank,

You need to attach the blue SAMTEC ribbon cable which should have came with the DCA1000 and attach it as shown below.

Best Regards,

Pedrhom

0 Hank Tan 6 months ago in reply to Pedrhom Nafisi

Prodigy 190 points

DCA1000 lights up now, thanks a lot. I have one more question here. In the wiring setup figure, a Ethernet cable is connected between the DCA1000 board and PC. Is this connection absolutely necessary to extract Radar data through DCA1000? One laptop I want to do the project doesn't have a Ethernet connector.

0 Pedrhom Nafisi 6 months ago in reply to Hank Tan

TI__Genius 13286 points

Hello Hank,

The ethernet connection is required. The raw data itself is sent over the Ethernet cable, and this is because the speeds in which raw data is output from the sensor surpass the maximum speeds allowed over UART/USB.

Best Regards,

Pedrhom

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DCA1000EVM: real time data capture questions