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Original question:

AWR1642: mmwave sensor Evaluation Boards and Design Kits

AWR1642: mmwave sensor Evaluation Boards and Design Kits

Alper Fatih
Expert 1040 points
Part Number: AWR1642
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: DCA1000EVM, , MMWAVE-STUDIO,

Dear Kyle,

Thank you very much for the very prompt and very detailed and elaborate guidance.

A few last queries in the same context so that I can make a better and informed decision:

1) I understand that you are suggesting AWR1642BOOST and DCA1000EVM based on my requirement that I mentioned.

Please advise/confirm that can I use/run mmwave Studio mmwave-Studio, mmwave-Demo-Visualizer and mmwave-Sensing-Estimator on xWR1642BOOST EVM (and I do not need DCA1000EVM for this purpose). Only AWR1642BOOST will serve the purpose. Please comment.

2) If I am not wrong, I understand that the ADC data from AWR1642BOOST EVM (and from AWR1642 device it self) is only available on 2 LVDS lanes. Am I right or not ? If not, then please advise that ADC data from the AWR1642 device and from AWR1642BOOST EVM is available in which other formats/prorocols for post processing on a Windows PC or some other Data Acquisition Card/Device ? (Suppose that I do not have DCA1000EVM).

3) A very basic question, but I still ask. I understand that the RF output (both in AWR1642 and in AWR1642BOST EVM), after the mixer, is available to the user, only after being digitized by the bulit-in ADC. The analog RF output signal is NOT directly available to the user. Please confirm.

4) What could be the possible usage or purpose of TI Launchpads (as AWR1642BOOST describes this feature) in my study on TI mmwve sensors. I intend to modify TI example codes or develop my own codes based on TI codes. Then I assume that I can upload those programs (e.g. bin files) through xWR1642BOOST EVM on the xWR1642 chip. I can then see the performance of my algorithms by acquiring and processing the LVDS raw ADC data and post processing it in PC, if needed. In such instance, I will not need TI Launchpads as I do not foresee usage of additional TI microcontrollers. Please comment if my understanding is right.

Thank you very much in advance.

  • 0
    TI__Mastermind 24955 points
    Alper,

    For the mmWave Sensing Estimator tool, no hardware is needed. For the mmWave Demo Visualizer, only the AWR1642BOOST is required. For mmWave Studio, both the AWR1642BOOST and DCA1000EVM are required.

    The LVDS lanes on the AWR1642 are available for sending out the raw ADC data. The AWR1642 features two LVDS lanes. This is the only high speed protocol available on this device and can be seen on the functional block diagram here: www.ti.com/.../datasheetdiagram.tsp

    I'm not quite sure what you mean when you say the analog RF output signal is not directly available to the user. You can use a power meter to directly measure the output power coming from the antenna. And you can also you an oscilloscope to see the chirp output as well, although this does require some additional measurement equipment that downsamples the output into a range that an oscilloscope can sample.

    And again, I am not sure what you mean by your last question. If you are just looking to develop algorithms on the AWR1642BOOST, then you will just need the AWR1642BOOST and DCA1000EVM.

    Regards,
    Kyle
  • 0 in reply to Kyle Cousino
    Expert 1040 points

    Dear Kyle

    Thanks again for the guidance. All queries resolved, except two and I will re-phrase them as follows:

    1)  About AWR1642 : I understand that the RF received signal goes through the mixer. Then it is digitized by the ADC and the raw ADC data is made available to the user over 2-lanes LVDS.

    Apart from that, and in addition to that, is the RF received analog signal, after having passed through the mixer, in analog form, before being digitized by the ADC, available to the end user in some form or NOT ? If yes, then in what form and at which pins? 

    2)  AWR1642BOOST EVM User Guide states that it has interface for TI  MCU Launchpad kits over a 20 pin connector.Can you please advise that what could be the various general scenarios  in which I could benefit from this feature of AWR1642BOOST. 

    At the moment I do not have any TI Launchpad kit; based on your guidance I will decide to buy one along with AWR1642BOOST EVM or not.

    Thanks and regards

    Alper