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AWR1642BOOST: FMCW to CW mode

Part Number: AWR1642BOOST
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: AWR1843BOOST, , AWR1642, DCA1000EVM

Dear TI experts,

Is there a way and option on your development boards (AWR1642BOOST, AWR1843BOOST or AWR1243P MIMO) to modify (in source code / SDK) 1GHz or 4GHz band chirp of FMCW and so decreasing the count of chirps and FPS to create actually a CW mode either at one specific frequency, e.g. 77GHz or create a continuous sweep from-to frequency?

The reason behind this is to use these boards as a source of frequency for materials evaluation purposes coupled with spectrum analyzer.

Thanks forward for your response.

Best regards,

Martin

  • Martin,

    You can use the RF evaluation tool, mmWave Studio, to configure the sensor for CW mode. This configuration should only be used in an evaluation setting.

    You can download mmWave Studio here: http://software-dl.ti.com/ra-processors/esd/MMWAVE-STUDIO/latest/index_FDS.html

    CW mode can be configured in the "ContStream" tab of mmWave Studio.

    Regards,
    Kyle

  • Thanks Kyle for quick response. Seems easy to accomplish. Will try and let you know in case of difficulties.

    Is that CW mode an alternative of a 1 chirp with high FPS or is really single frequency generator mode?

    Btw. is the cascaded FMCW ref. design AWR1243P MIMO capable to operate that way as well?

    Thanks again and have a nice day.

    BR's,

    Martin

  • Martin,

    The CW mode found in mmWave Studio is designed purely for evaluation. It is in no way intended to be used for production devices.

    The CW mode is exactly what it says it is. It is not a single chirp with a high FPS. This has been verified with bench equipment (oscilloscopes).

    You can use the CW mode on the cascade radar as well since mmWave Studio version 2.1 supports cascade solutions.

    Regards,
    Kyle

  • Hi Kyle,

    Thanks for confirmation. This is exactly what we would like to use coupling the sensor with spectrum analyzer for materials evaluation.

    In mmWave studio, we've established the connection by putting the AWR1642 into SOP2 mode (Jumpers on SOP0 and SOP1 should be closed and SOP2 should be left open to set the device in SOP2 mode). So shows FTDI, RS232 and SPI connected.

    Ant then afterward checking the ContStream tab doesn't show any option to make the CW setup. Can you please post a screen shot and necessary setup to config. e.g. 77GHz CW mode?

    thanks forward for your help.

  • Hi Kyle,

    Find attached screenshots from connection tab and then from contStream tab.

    Can you provide brief instructions how to setup and launch continuous stream @ 77GHz? Is there a way to check that without spectrum analyzer. E.g. ,w/ oscilloscope?

    Thanks forward.

    M.

  • Hi Kyle,

    Additional question. I've followed beginning of DCA1000 Training Video and successful reached the point where the SPI connection should be stablished. There it failed. Question, is DCA1000EVM needed to do all the necessities in order to put the AWR1642BOOST into CW mode as per that video? Thanks forward.