[FAQ] DCA1000EVM: Synchronizing multiple DCA1000 boards

Hello Ahmad,

Could you elaborate what kind of synchronization you are looking for? If you are looking for the frame level synchronization of the two setups then you can synchronize the two Awr1642 devices using digital SYNC_IN signal and setting the frames to hardware triggered mode. This will ensure the frames of both the devices are time synchronized to the same signal.

Regards,
Vivek

Hi Vivek,

Thank you for your quick response.

Yes, I am looking for the frame level synchronization so that both setups are triggered at the same time.

I am using each setup with TI mmWave Studio to acquire the raw data, Can you further explain how the SYNC_IN signal could be used?

Thank you.

Ahmad

Hello Ahmad,

The AWR1642 has a digital SYNC_IN signal. In the frame config if HW triggered mode is used then the frames will be triggered on the pulse edge seen on the SYNC IN signal . This is a 3.3V IO signal that needed to be provided externally. So if you provide the same signal to both the devices the frame triggers will be synchronized.

You can refer to the AWR1243 datasheet section 5.9.2 for more details, same applies to AWr1642.

Regards,

Vivek

Hi Vivek,

Thanks again for your helpful response.

Since this is my first time doing it, Could you please suggest an external host that can pulse the SYNC_IN signals to the two setups?

Also, It will be so much useful if there are any sort of tutorials/guides available that goes through similar or relevant processes.

Best.

Ahmad.