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AWR1642BOOST: Overlapping 76-77 GHz band and 77-81 GHz band

Part Number: AWR1642BOOST

Hello,

I am using the demo firmware mmWave SDK 1.1.0.2 and I want to overlap the two frequency bands 76-77 GHz and 77-81 GHz. Is it technically possible to use these two bands at the same time? I tested some overlapping configurations but it does not seem to work. Can you give me some hints for adjustments that have to be taken in order to get it to work?

Thank you very much.

Alessandro

  • Hi,

    Can you please let us know more about what application you are trying to achieve?

    Thank you
    cesar
  • Hi Cesar,

    we are working on a measurement system which requires a higher bandwidth for better range resolution in the lower frequency band (76-77 GHz) and above (-> overlapping required). Is there a possibility to reach this goal? Which upper frequency would be possible if we start from 76 GHz?

    Thank you,

    Aessandro
  • Hi,

    This is not possible.

    Each chirp must have a specific frequency band

    thank you
    Cesar
  • Hi Cesar,

    what is the limiting factor? Is it the hardware, the firmware, regulations or something else? I found an information in the source code of the firmware that there are two VCOs (1. 76-78 GHz, 2. 77-81 GHz).

    Thank you.

    Alessandro
  • Firmware does not support this use case

    thank you

    Cesar

  • Hi Cesar,

    thank you for your answer. Since we have to take the decision to do firmware changes or not we need more information from TI about the possibilities. For example: if the Firmware would not be the limiting factor, which are the hardware limitations? Would it then be possible to sweep from 76 - 81 GHz (by using both VCOs)? Are there specific things that have to be taken into account when doing firmware changes?

    Thank you very much.

    Alessandro
  • Hi,

    Are you familiar with chirp configuration?

    What type of chirp are you trying to design?

    www.ti.com/.../swra553.pdf

    Thank you
    Cesar
  • Hi Cesar,

    thanks for your reply.

    We are able to design chirps outside of the mmWave Demo Visualizer by changing the parameters in the config-text-file. We are interessted in a chirp that spans from 76 to 81 GHz.

    Are you thinking of a subframe configuration that includes various chirps with each having a frequency span of i. e. 1 GHz?
    Would this kind of subframe configuration lead to identical results compared to a single chirp of 5 GHz?

    Thank you.

    Alessandro
  • Hi Alessandro,

    At this time our firmware does not support stitching the IF spectrum returns from chirps which would require both of the VCO bands.

    Of course a set of chirps with different start and stop frequencies, together spanning the full 76-81 GHz spectrum, can be constructed and the various sub-band IF returns sent to external host processor for further work. Please reference the chirp design application note referenced above. (www.ti.com/.../swra553.pdf ) if you have not done so already - this app note covers the additional constraints on chirp generation as well.

    Please let me know if that answers your questions on this topic.

    Thank you,
    Randy
  • Hi Randy,

    thanks for your explanations. We will have a closer look on it as soon as possible. We will try to reopen the thread if there are questions related to this issue.

    Thank you,

    Alessandro