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IWR1443BOOST: How do you connect external hardward trigger?

Part Number: IWR1443BOOST
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: INA826EVM, , DCA1000EVM, IWR1443, INA826

I have a IWR1443BOOST connected DCA1000EVM and I am using a INA826EVM as external trigger. The INA826EVM is connected to a USRP N210 and being powered with DC Power Supply. The INA826EVM is connected to my IWR1443BOOST through pins 4 and 9.

I've confirmed that the IWR1443BOOST is receiving a pulse from the USRP and that there is voltage in the wires connecting to the IWR1443BOOST. However, there is no data being sent to the computer from the DCA1000EVM board.  The IWR1443BOOST worked just fine when I used a Software Trigger and ran the DataCaptureDemo_xWR. It is only failing me when I began using the Hardware Trigger.

Any suggestions on what I can do?

  • Hello There is a different command that has to be sent to the IWR1443, to select the Hardware input vs the software input. Lets start with the Hardware connectivity..

    Using the IWR1443 RevA BOOST EVM schematic, the
    sheet 11 - pin 16-J1 60 pin connector , goes to R62
    sheet 10 - pin J6-pin 9 goes to R165 (which is normally not installed)

    sheet 3 - goes to U2 ball N10 IWR1443 Mmwave sensor (you need to use R62 or R165 for monitoring, there are no other components.

    The Sync In needs to be a pulse input, typically occurs once, or for every Frame Start signal.
    The Sync In, needs to be 50ns min width (to be detected by the 40Mhz clock). '0->1' for start.
    If standard 3.3v VIOIN is used, the signal is < .62v to > 2.25v.

    In the software side, see the Mmwave SDK User Guide (docs folder) of Mmwave SDK - FrameCfg command. you need to change the argument trigger select 1-2.

    On the serial console, please check if the MMwave command sent, or software sent to BSS Mailbox returns an error. This is another reason why the Frame does not start.

    REgards,
    Joe Quintal

    Regards,
    Joe Quintal
  • Forgive me but I don't think we are talking about the same board. According to the User Guide for the IWR1443BOOST board there are two 20-pin connectors: J5 and J6. There is no J1 connector.

    Also I connected the INA826 board to Pin 4 (GND) and Pin 9 (AR_SYNC_IN) which should allow the IWR1443BOOST to sync with another board. Am I missing something?
  • Hello,

    Please reread the email response.  There is an HD60 connector J1, this contains high speed LVDS data for the DCA1000 or TSW1400.

    The J5 and J6 connectors are the BPLP connectors.  In the email BOTH are listed.

    The IWr1443 can't tell which interface is sourcing the SYNC IN signal.   The R165 resistor for the J6-9 needs to be installed for connectivity (sheet 10 of the schematic).  The  R62 resistor  for J1-16 (sheet11 of the schematic) is already installed.

    The AR_SYNCIN signal must be a 3.3v IO signal pulse, with at least a 50ns width to work.   

    As the email listed you also need the software change to select the External SYNC_IN.

    Regards,

    Joe Quintal