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mmWave for sensing wall integrity, damage, cracks

Rickson Facie
Prodigy 150 points
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: IWR1443BOOST, IWR1642BOOST

Hello-

I'm interested in using a mmWave sensors to monitor a metal wall from about 5 m away for small changes, such as significant cracks, holes or other damage that would change the wall's integrity. Of the mmWave products available (IWRx,AWRx), can someone point me towards which product/EVM would be a good place to start experimenting with? Thank you.

  • 0
    TI__Guru 50240 points
    Hi Rickson,

    This application is going to be difficult to implement at this time as the device's current range resolution (resolution meaning capability to distinguish objects at a different range) is about 4 cm. While this is configurable, it seems like your application is going to require resolution on the level of millimeters which is not possible right now.

    If you want to discuss your application a bit more then we can talk about some solutions that do exist right now. It is just that from what you told me it is going to be quite difficult at this time.


    Cheers,
    Akash
  • 0 in reply to Akash Gondalia
    Prodigy 150 points
    Thank you for the prompt response Akash. Yes I'd be interested in talking more about the solutions which exist right now. Should we discuss by email or other? Thanks.
  • 0 in reply to Rickson Facie
    TI__Guru 50240 points
    Rickson,

    Would you be able to post some pictures? Perhaps talk about your application a bit more? I just need more information from you right now.


    Cheers,
    Akash
  • 0 in reply to Akash Gondalia
    Prodigy 150 points
    Hi Akash-
    I sent you message directly. Thanks for the help so far.
  • 0 in reply to Rickson Facie
    TI__Guru 50240 points
    Hello again Rickson,

    I spoke with an Engineering manager about the crack detection problem and this was the response he gave me:

    mmWave has been widely used to detect cracks, including inspection of the foam on the space shuttles after the Columbia disaster.

    While the ability to measure the crack size directly is limited by the resolution, you may be able to rely on the scattering from the cracks to observe their presence. Specifically, if you image a flat metal object at an off angle, you get very little return because the specular reflection does in a different direction. A crack will scatter the waves in all directions, so you would expect to see a significantly higher reflection at off angles when a crack is present than when it is not.





    Rickson, this was an idea I did not consider at all and I apologize. It may be worthwhile for you to order an IWR1443BOOST or IWR1642BOOST and just do some preliminary testing. Let me know if you have any other questions at this time.


    Cheers,
    Akash
  • 0 in reply to Akash Gondalia
    Prodigy 150 points

    That's a very promising idea! Thanks for following up. I've ordered the IWR1443BOOST and will run some tests.