CCS/IWR1443BOOST: Connection with mmWave Demo, but no visualization of signals and errors in CCS

Davide,

Thanks for your interest in the TI mmWave IWR1443 sensor. I would be happy to assist.

As mentioned in the setup guide at the link you referenced, there are two methods that can be used to run the mmWave SDK demo on the EVM. It looks like you are currently using the "Debug mode" where you build the demo source code in CCS and then connect to the target from CCS and load the program onto the EVM and can debug the code using CCS to set breakpoints, etc.

The other method is referred to as "Deployment mode" where the pre-built demo binaries are flashed onto the EVM and then the EVM automatically starts running the demo whenever it is power cycled. This method does not use CCS. I would recommend using this method first to verify that all of the hardware is working correctly. Please make sure you have downloaded the latest version of the mmWave SDK (should be v1.1.0.2 currently) and then follow the step in the demo setup guide for flashing the two binaries to the EVM, but use the following pre-built 14xx demo binary for the "Meta Image 2/MSS" instead of the "_ccsdebug_" binary shown in the setup guide.

Pre-built mmWave SDK 14xx demo binary for "Meta Image 2/MSS" (replace <ver> with current SDK version):
C:\ti\mmwave_sdk_<ver>\packages\ti\demo\xwr14xx\mmw\xwr14xx_mmw_demo_mss.bin

After flashing (making sure to remove jumper SOP2 after flashing) and power cycling the EVM, please try configuring and visualizing the data from the EVM using the mmWave Demo Visualizer at dev.ti.com/mmWaveDemoVisualizer.

Here are some additional items to check if you still see issues.
1. Make sure the EVM power supply can supply at least 2.5Amps at 5Volts (computer USB ports and standard USB charger blocks often only supply 1Amp, which will make the EVM crash)
2. Make sure you are using a single standard-length USB cable like the one supplied with the EVM (extender cables sometimes cause connection problems)

If more support is required, please also include details about the version of Windows and the version of CCS you are using.

Best Regards,
John

Dear John,

thanks for your help, but the board is not working yet.

I have checked again the guide, and it does not report the steps you gently described me.

Preliminary info: SDK ver. 1.1.0.2, Windows 10, EVM IWR1443BOOST

I summarize my steps here:

1) put two jumpers on the board (SOP 0 and SOP2)

2) power on the board

3) open the program Uniflash, select device (first I tried IWR1443- not work, then IWR1443boost - not work as well)

4) select the files META IMAGE 1="xwr12xx_xwr14xx_radarss.bin" and META IMAGE2="xwr14xx_mmw_demo_mss.bin"

5) select COM port (Application/User com port) in Setting and Utilities

6) click "Load image" ->  Load successful

7) Power off board, remove jumper, power on board (here led NERR OUT is on! Is it right?)

8) However, I press button NRST (let NERROUT turns off.... it's a mistery!)

9) connect to mmwave Demo Visualizer

10) It doesn't work! It seems that when the configuration is sent, the PC make the same sound of USB disconnected and the led NERR OUT turned on.

Please, help me to understand the problem.

Many thanks,
Davide

Davide,

1. What are the specs of the power supply used to power the EVM (i.e. voltage (V) and current (A))?

2. Is it possible to try a different power supply in case there is an issue with the current one?

3. Can you post the entire contents of the console from the mmWave Demo Visualizer when the issue occurs?

Regards,
John