AWR2544: Hardware Trigger SYNC_IN

Oliver Arnold

Part Number: AWR2544
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: AWR2243, AWR2243BOOST,

Tool/software:

I have an existing functional setup with multiple AWR2243 combined with DCA1000. I'm using the SYNC_IN Pin to trigger them simultaneously. I want to switch to the AWR2544. I saw that there is no Pin-Connector with the SYNC_IN signal anymore. I traced the signal path and found some possible positions with solder pads to apply a cable.

So is it possible to trigger them over the SYNC_IN signal? I tried but the DCA1000 did not record anything so i think the triggering over the SYNC_IN Pin did not work.

Best regards
Oliver

4 months ago

0 E. Shareef 4 months ago

TI__Genius 11270 points

Hello,

AWR2544 does not support a cascade option as there is no 20G Sync IO on the device.

Thanks,

E. Shareef

0 Oliver Arnold 4 months ago in reply to E. Shareef

Prodigy 30 points

Hi,

I'm sorry, but I meant the AWR2544LOPEVM and not the single chip. I use a 40/50MHz reference for coarse synchronization of the different boards. But I need to trigger them simultaneously as the AWR2243BOOST boards before. Is the use of the SYNC_IN Pin as a trigger possible? For the AWR2243BOOST boards this was possible when choosing the hardware trigger in MMWaveStudio.

Best regards,
Oliver

0 E. Shareef 4 months ago in reply to Oliver Arnold

TI__Genius 11270 points

Hello Oliver,

Awr2243 supported a cascade option whereas awr2544 does not support such option because of it's lop nature.

Please let me know if you need further assistance here

0 Oliver Arnold 4 months ago in reply to E. Shareef

Prodigy 30 points

Hi Shareef,

Ok so there is no option to trigger the AWR2544LOPEVM by hardware? Or is there another Pin that can be used for this?
Also, what is the PIN C17 then used for? Are there any other options for simultaneous triggering of individual boards?

0 E. Shareef 4 months ago in reply to Oliver Arnold

TI__Genius 11270 points

Hello,

To give you more detail, AWR2544 can be used in secondary mode and use the SYNC IN function. The SYNC OUT function would not be available on the device, hence cannot be used as the primary.

If cascading, AWR2544 is a LOP and I would assume youll want to use another LOP as primary. Such an option is currently not availble.

Hope this helps,

E. Shareef

0 Oliver Arnold 4 months ago in reply to E. Shareef

Prodigy 30 points

Hi,

no i use an external trigger signal, hence, I do not need a AWR2544LOPEVM as primary. For clarification, the individual evaluation boards (not chips) will be lined up with a certain distance in between. I only want to trigger them simultaneously, so all can be "secondary".
So triggering with the SYNC_IN function should work? I tried to set the hardware trigger option in MMWaveStudio but a trigger signal on the SYNC_IN Pin did not work.

BR Oliver

0 James Murdock65 4 months ago in reply to Oliver Arnold

TI__Expert 3171 points

Hello Oliver,

Reading between the lines or trying to guess your intentions here, I wonder if you have considered using a satellite architecture? This will be enabled in an upcoming version of the SDK for the AWR2544. The various devices will just continuously send data to a central processor for sensor integration.

Enabling satellite architecture with AWR2544 radar sensors | Video | TI.com

(+) AWR2544LOPEVM: setup for the satellite radar system - Sensors forum - Sensors - TI E2E support forums

Actually, you could also consider that, since the AWR2544 wasn't intended for a cascade, you could just let your various devices run continuously and account for any possible error based on the frame time.

Regards,

James