AWR1642BOOST: Maximum detectable range for "Obstacle Detection" example

Aybars Kizilay

Part Number: AWR1642BOOST
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: AWR1642, AWR1843BOOST, AWR1843,

Hello everyone,

I have a question regarding the "Obstacle Detection" example lab coming with Automotive Toolbox. I have noticed that, TI AWR1642 was only able to detect a target and do dBscan clustering up to 3m.

Even though, the default profileCfg shows 10m as a maximum detectable range. Here is the default chirp config:

sensorStop
flushCfg
dfeDataOutputMode 1
channelCfg 15 3 0
adcCfg 2 1
adcbufCfg -1 0 0 1 1
profileCfg 0 77 7 7 58.0 0 0 67.978 1 256 5020 0 0 36
chirpCfg 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
chirpCfg 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2
frameCfg 0 1 32 0 100 1 0
lowPower 0 1
guiMonitor 1 1 0 0
cfarCfg 1 4 12 4 2 8 2 200 30 2 0 5 20
dbscanCfg 4 4 13 20 3 256
sensorStart

Even I am lowering the CFAR threshold from 350 to 150, I wasn't able to detect anything above around 3m.

In dbscanCfg command, the second number is related to the "Max distance allowed in clustering (in units of 0.1m), depending on the object size". Is that mean dBscan algorithm will only do clustering if individual detections are seperated each other max. 0.4m?

Can you please guide me how to re-configure the TI AWR1642 so that I would be able to get a detection and clustering output above 3m?

Thank you for your help

Aybars Kizilay

over 5 years ago

0 Cesar over 5 years ago

TI__Guru*** 149504 points

Hi,

Before we discuss potential configuration of dbScan, it is helpful to understand the purpose of the obstacle detection processing chain.

This processing chain was designed to detect static objects at close proximity. So, the detection part of the algorithm was not tested beyond a few meters.

I recommend that first you ignore the clustering and perform some detection testing of your desired use cases. Lowering cfar can help. Did you try to detect a strong reflector at 6-7m?

Thank you

Cesar

0 Aybars Kizilay over 5 years ago in reply to Cesar

Prodigy 90 points

Hello Cesar,

Thank you for your answer. The design purpose explains the reason why I couldn't detect an object at relatively far distance.

I will try to run the program without "dbScan" command and check the result. I can even do the RF object simulation, let you know the smallest RCS value that can be detected by the sensor at 6-7m.

My purpose is to detect a person from 6-10m. Therefore, I thought "Obstacle Detection" example could be good fit, since I can directly get the cluster information via serial interface.

I saw a "people counting" example as well on the internet. That could also be a good example to start; however I couldn't find it in Code Composer Studio Explorer tab.

If you have any other suggestion regarding the application that I can use, please let me know.

Best Regards

Aybars Kizilay

0 Cesar over 5 years ago in reply to Aybars Kizilay

TI__Guru*** 149504 points

Hi,

What EVM platforms do you have available?

Thank you

Cesar

0 Aybars Kizilay over 5 years ago in reply to Cesar

Prodigy 90 points

Hello Cesar,

I have TI AWR1642 and 1843BOOST.

Thank you.

Aybars

0 Cesar over 5 years ago in reply to Aybars Kizilay

TI__Guru*** 149504 points

Hi,

I would start with the AWR1843BOOST and the AWR1843 mmWave SDK demo in the latest release SDK 3.5

Generate a configuration with a max range of 10m and see what the performance is.

You can also try the AWR1642BOOST People Counting demo.

Here is a link

http://dev.ti.com/tirex/explore/node?a=VLyFKFf__3.6.2&node=APgqKfQYz92zJ530i3Tz1A__VLyFKFf__3.6.2&r=VLyFKFf__3.6.1

Thank you

Cesar

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AWR1642BOOST: Maximum detectable range for "Obstacle Detection" example