IWR6843: What is the start-up hardware required for building my own radar solution?

Antony Lui

Part Number: IWR6843
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: MMWAVEICBOOST, , , , , AWR6843ISK

Tool/software:

Dear TI Team,

I hope this email finds you well. I am new to TI and interested in developing a fall detection solution using TI mmWave sensors. My approach involves using the raw data output from the radar and leveraging MATLAB for development.

After researching, I have identified the IWR6843 series as a potential option for my project. I have a few questions to clarify before proceeding:

AOP vs. Non-AOP Package: Does it matter whether I select the AOP or non-AOP version of the IWR6843 series for my application?
EVM Recommendation: Which evaluation module (EVM) would you recommend for fall detection using raw data?
Role of MMWAVEICBOOST: If I plan to use the DCA1000 for raw data capture, do I also need to purchase the MMWAVEICBOOST? Could you clarify the role of MMWAVEICBOOST in this setup?
USB Port Requirements: Since the setup will connect to a desktop, could you confirm the number of USB ports required for the complete system?
Camera: Any suggestions on putting and connecting camera side-by-side for basic truth for referral?

I appreciate your guidance and look forward to your recommendations.

Kind regards,
Antony

8 months ago

0 Nathan Block 7 months ago

TI__Mastermind 37805 points

Antony Lui said:
AOP vs. Non-AOP Package: Does it matter whether I select the AOP or non-AOP version of the IWR6843 series for my application?

Both options are acceptable. AOP is nice because it eliminates antenna development from the list of things you need to do when building your own board.

Antony Lui said:
EVM Recommendation: Which evaluation module (EVM) would you recommend for fall detection using raw data?

Any EVM is good, but I would match the IC to your expected eventual product (if you want to use AOP in your final product, use the AOP development board).

Antony Lui said:
Role of MMWAVEICBOOST: If I plan to use the DCA1000 for raw data capture, do I also need to purchase the MMWAVEICBOOST? Could you clarify the role of MMWAVEICBOOST in this setup?

MMWAVE IC BOOST is needed if you want to use the DCA1000. DCA1000 is for capturing raw data, MMWAVE IC BOOST is for debugging the radar as it runs.

Antony Lui said:
USB Port Requirements: Since the setup will connect to a desktop, could you confirm the number of USB ports required for the complete system?

See here.

https://dev.ti.com/tirex/explore/node?a=1AslXXD__2.30.00.12&node=A__ASocQyEJ2l6F4k3VoVt4jw__radar_toolbox__1AslXXD__2.30.00.12

Antony Lui said:
Camera: Any suggestions on putting and connecting camera side-by-side for basic truth for referral?

That is always a good idea if you're able.

Best,

Nate

0 Antony Lui 7 months ago in reply to Nathan Block

Prodigy 10 points

Hi Nahthan,

Thank you for your responses. Here are some follow-up questions:

About EVMs: Here comes some options ofEVM:

1. IWR6843AOPEVM - with antenna on chip, antenna arrangement resulted in L-shaped virtual arrays (4 x 4), with pretty much equal azimuth and elevation resolution [120 degree in both directions].

2. IWR6843ISK-ODS - antenna on PCB, array layout same as 1.

3. IWR6843ISK - antenna on PCB, antenna arrangement resulted in two rows of virtual arrays (1 x 4 and 1 x 12) [elevation: 30 degree of FoV]

4. IWR6843LEVM - antenna on PCB with FR4 antenna elements and same array layout as 3 - [elevation: 80 degree of FoV]

Question 1: May I know what causes the difference in elevation FoV between 3 and 4?

Question 2: What are the key difference (in terms of performance) between 3 and 4?

About USB - I am considering

(i) connecting DCA1000 + MMWAVEICBOOST + EVM board via laptop.

(ii) Acquire raw data via DCA1000 with Ethernet connection via Matlab.

Question 3: May I know the number of USB ports required [DCA1000 + MMWAVEICBOOAST + EVM board]?

Question 4: My laptop does not have Ethernet connection. Is there any solution without buying a new desktop with Ethernet?

Question 5: Any recommendation for camera?

Kind Regards

Antony

+1 Nathan Block 7 months ago in reply to Antony Lui

TI__Mastermind 37805 points

Antony Lui said:
Question 1: May I know what causes the difference in elevation FoV between 3 and 4?

The number of patches in each antenna.

Antony Lui said:
Question 2: What are the key difference (in terms of performance) between 3 and 4?

FR4 will result in degraded signal strength, and different antenna patch design will result in a different radiation pattern.

Antony Lui said:
Question 3: May I know the number of USB ports required [DCA1000 + MMWAVEICBOOAST + EVM board]?

See this page

https://dev.ti.com/tirex/explore/node?a=1AslXXD__2.30.00.12&node=A__AZpB296-3QEz48rsFnFiOw__radar_toolbox__1AslXXD__2.30.00.12

I see 2 USBs.

Antony Lui said:
Question 4: My laptop does not have Ethernet connection. Is there any solution without buying a new desktop with Ethernet?

You could use an ethernet to USB converter. That is what I use on my laptop.

Antony Lui said:
Question 5: Any recommendation for camera?

This decision is up to you :).

Best,

Bate

0 Antony Lui 6 months ago in reply to Nathan Block

Prodigy 10 points

Thanks Nathan and Bate.

Another related question:

(i) What are the differences between the I and A series, e.g. IWR6843ISK vs AWR6843ISK?

(ii) For both modules, are we able to control the activation and deactivation of individual transmitter? For example, out of the four transmitters, are we able to activate one at a time? Where can I get more information about selecting channels, receive beamforming and transmit beam steering implementation in these modules?

0 Nathan Block 6 months ago in reply to Antony Lui

TI__Mastermind 37805 points

Hi,

I is for industrial, A is for automotive qualified parts.

Antony Lui said:
(ii) For both modules, are we able to control the activation and deactivation of individual transmitter? For example, out of the four transmitters, are we able to activate one at a time? Where can I get more information about selecting channels, receive beamforming and transmit beam steering implementation in these modules?

See the configuration file. This doc explains too.

C:\ti\mmwave_sdk_03_06_00_00-LTS\docs\mmwave_sdk_user_guide.pdf

0 Antony Lui 6 months ago in reply to Nathan Block

Prodigy 10 points

Between I and A, is it right to say that there are different EMC standard that needs to be fulfilled such that different designs are required with different components used?

In terms of functionalities and radar capabilities (e.g. range), what are the differences between them?

About the doc, where can I obtain it?

About operation, do these modules operate in CW mode (rather than FMCW), i.e a continues wave signal at a single frequency (e.g. 62GHz)?

0 Nathan Block 6 months ago in reply to Antony Lui

TI__Mastermind 37805 points

Antony Lui said:
Between I and A, is it right to say that there are different EMC standard that needs to be fulfilled such that different designs are required with different components used?

See here : https://e2e.ti.com/support/legacy_forums/automotive/f/automotive-forum-read-only/141024/grade-0-vs-grade-1-rating

Antony Lui said:
In terms of functionalities and radar capabilities (e.g. range), what are the differences between them?

There should not be any

Antony Lui said:
About the doc, where can I obtain it?

https://www.ti.com/tool/MMWAVE-SDK

Antony Lui said:

About operation, do these modules operate in CW mode (rather than FMCW), i.e a continues wave signal at a single frequency (e.g. 62GHz)?

https://e2e.ti.com/support/sensors-group/sensors/f/sensors-forum/791101/iwr6843-cw-mode

Best,

Nate

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IWR6843: What is the start-up hardware required for building my own radar solution?