IWR1443: How to find the Water flow Direction and Velocity using mmwave radar sensor?

Hi, Harish:

To find the flow direction and velocity of the water,   you need to aim the radar antenna to the water with some tilting angle (theta).  When the water (ground surface) moves, in range Doppler heat-map, you will see the peak energy around the (range, vDoppler).   The water speed vSpeed can then be calculated as:

vSpeed = vDoppler / cos(theta). 

Note that the energy in heatmap can have a big energy area, the peak energy should be considered.   If you have a sharp antenna like a horn antenna, the estimation maybe more accurate.   The tilting angle can not be 90 degree, 30-40 degree can be a good candidate.   The positive or negative of the Doppler can tell you the water flow direction.  

So far, we do not have a lab for this application.

Best,

Zigang

Thanks Zigang,

Can you provide the details about how to process the radar output data to get Doppler. 

guiMonitor 1 0 0 0 1(rangeDopplerHeatMap) 0

Is there any example to get rangeDopplerHeatMap output?

Regards,

Harish.

Hi, 

You can use the SDK out of box demo and online visualizer.    https://dev.ti.com/gallery/view/mmwave/mmWave_Demo_Visualizer/ver/3.3.0/

On the visualizer interface, you can check on the "Range Doppler Heat Map".

Best,

Zigang

thanks Zigang,

I have a last question, can we measure the exact water level with by installing the IWR1443 with 30-40 degrees tilt?

Regards,

Harish