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IWR1443BOOST: mmWave Fluid Level Sensing Possible device defect?

DJ Lee
Prodigy 220 points
Part Number: IWR1443BOOST
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: MMWAVE-SDK

Hi Akash,

 Per your suggestion, I switched the metal container to a similar sized plastic container (ID = 30 cm, height = 40 cm).

 However, I am still noticing a similar behavior.  

 As you can see from the picture, I placed a plexi-glass to stabilize the device.   With or without a plexi-glass, I am reading somewhere between 900mm to 2000mm (Actual distance = 300mm).  The example from the user guide demonstrated a high accuracy reading when the device was 270 mm away.  How come it is not repeatable?   

  I'm a little frustrated at this point, as the customer support, Gabriel Garza, is keep insisting working with the applications engineer to resolve the issue.  Again, he mentioned that if the board is determined defective, you guys can make that determination.  Please help me resolve the issue.

Thanks,

DJ

  • 0
    TI__Guru 50240 points
    Hi DJ,

    What kind of liquid have you been using in these containers?

    I don't have any reason to believe that your sensor is defective since it is providing a reading although there are many improvements you could make with your test setup including a dielectric lens to concentrate beam forming.

    In order to detect a defect have you tried testing your sensor against a wall?


    Akash
  • 0 in reply to Akash Gondalia
    Prodigy 220 points

    Akash,

     I have been using water all until now.  

     The first photo represents the data against water (1003mm: actually 300mm away) and the second photo represents the data against the wall (1209mm: actually 100mm away).

     What should you see when I test the sensor against a wall?

     Thanks, 

    DJ

    Hi 

  • 0 in reply to DJ Lee
    TI__Guru 50240 points
    It is interesting to note that your range profile shows virtually no peaks at a range less than one meter. What kind of changes have you made to your chirp configuration? Which chirp configuration are you using?


    Akash
  • 0 in reply to Akash Gondalia
    Prodigy 220 points
    Akash,

    I have not made any changes to the device configuration. Based on my understanding, chirp configuration is fixed.

    How can I check which chirp configuration I am using?

    DJ
  • 0 in reply to DJ Lee
    TI__Guru 50240 points
    When you load the .txt file to the device which one are you using? The de (not the db) version is what is recommended.


    Akash
  • 0 in reply to Akash Gondalia
    Prodigy 220 points
    Akash,

    Regardless of which .txt file I use (de or db), I am seeing very similar signal results.

    Reading '0' value up to 0.93 meters..

    DJ
  • 0 in reply to DJ Lee
    TI__Guru 50240 points
    This is very strange, does your device show the same behavior for objects less than 1 meter on the Standard mmWave-SDK Demo? dev.ti.com/.../


    Cheers,
    Akash
  • 0 in reply to Akash Gondalia
    Prodigy 220 points
    Akash,

    I tried uninstalling all of the TI related softwares and reinstalling them.

    I used your link to download the same file which I installed previously and reinstalled it on my computer.

    Yet, I see the same exact result. Until 0.9358 meters, the reading is '0'. Starting 0.9765 meters, the signal is being read.

    I have no clue at this point why this device is not functioning properly..

    DJ
  • 0 in reply to DJ Lee
    TI__Mastermind 37500 points

    OOB1443_VisualizerExp.zipHello,

    Please try to download the mmwave SDK, and use the Out of Box demo.   You would use the Best Range Resolution.   We are trying to validate if your radar is working.  

       a) with the metal feet attached, download the code for the Out of Box demo.  

       b) one meter away from the centerline of the antenna, put on a cardboard box, put a metal plate or filled aluminum can.  

            (see pict IMG_1117.jpg)

            Visualizer is available under the online tools or can be downloaded "mmwave Visualizer" search value at www.ti.com

       c) 1443, the proper SDK version, Best Range Resolution, 4Tx 2Tx 15deg

       d) select the max Range to the max value (~9 meters)

       e) on the plots tab select the detected object Width and Length in meters (upper right)

       f) make sure you have the Application and Data Com ports

       g)  configure - send the configuration to the device (should have no error Configure - lower right terminal)

       h)  select plots

        i)  look at the top center for the return magnitude.  (looking for peak near object distance, and local clutter around object)

              plots -  look at the top left, you should see a detected 1 meter object (see pict IMG_1118.jpg)

        j) change the target to 2.5m

        k)  look at the plots top center for the return magnitude (looking for peak near object distance, and local clutter around object)

                plots -  look at the top left, you should see a detected 2.5 meter object (see pict IMG_1119.jpg)

    I have attached the pictures in a zip file.

    If your setup and hardware does not have an adequate coarse ranging output, that needs to be fixed before moving on to the high accuracy lab.

    Send pictures, of the Visualizer output, if there is a concern.

    Regards,

    Joe Quintal