DCA1000 mmWave Studio User Guide
Table of Contents
Overview
This guide is intended for users with a TI mmWave sensor evaluation module (EVM) and DCA1000EVM. The guide will walk through setting up the DCA1000 capture card as well as the mmWaveStudio tool in order to configure the device’s mmWave SDK Front End software to allow for raw data collection.
This guide supports several different EVMs, so be sure to follow the steps that apply to your device.
EVM Hardware Compatibility
Certain versions of xWR mmWave Sensors require an MMWAVEICBOOST for raw data capture. Below is a table of all EVM revisions that do or do not need an MMWAVEICBOOST.
mmWave EVM | DCA1000 Only | DCA1000 + MMWAVEICBOOST |
---|---|---|
xWR6843ISK | Rev D and Later | ✔ |
xWR6843ISK-ODS | Rev B and Later | ✔ |
xWR6843AOP | Rev G and Later | ✔ |
xWR1443BOOST | ✔ |
✕ |
xWR1642BOOST | ✔ |
✕ |
xWR1843BOOST | ✔ |
✕ |
xWRL6432BOOST | ✔ |
✕ |
xWRL1432BOOST | ✔ |
✕ |
Software Requirements
Requirement | Description | Link |
---|---|---|
mmWaveStudio | Software tool to configure mmWave characteristics, make sure you download the 1st generation installer | mmWaveStudio Download User Guide |
mmWaveStudio for xWRLx432BOOST | This specific version is REQUIRED for xWRL6432BOOST and xWRL1432BOOST Software tool to configure low power mmWave sensor to collect raw data. | MMWAVE STUDIO 3G |
MATLAB Runtime Engine v8.5.1 | This specific version is REQUIRED, Make sure to install this version even if you have a newer one already installed. | MATLAB Download |
Code Composer Studio v7.1+ OR XDS Emulation Software Package v6.0.579.0+ |
Required Software, only need one of the software listed for this user guide | Code Composer Studio Download XDS Package Download |
Hardware Requirements
Requirement | Description |
---|---|
mmWave Sensor EVM | mmWave EVM, needs a Power Supply 5V, 3A with 2.1-mm barrel jack (center positive), micro USB cable (this cable come with kit) |
DCA1000 EVM | Raw data capture card, needs a Power Supply 5V, 3A with 2.1-mm barrel jack (center positive), micro USB cable, RJ45 Ethernet cable, 60pin Samtec cable (this cable comes with kit) |
Barrel Jack Power Supply | Power Supply 5V, 3A with 2.1-mm barrel jack (center positive) |
Micro USB Cable | Two cables are required if using a setup that includes an MMWAVEICBOOST |
Ethernet Cable | One end will be plugged into the DCA1000 and the other to your computer for high speed data transfer |
⚠️ WARNING - DIRECT CONNECTION
Plug ALL USB cables and Ethernet cable directly into your computer if possible. If you are using a dock or external USB hub, it is possible to run into issues in regards to properly recording data.
Hardware Setup: ISK and ISK-ODS Evaluation Modules
This section applies to the following boards:
ISK and ISK-ODS Standalone Mode
This section describes setting up the hardware for an ISK style EVM WITHOUT an MMWAVEICBOOST EVM.
⚠️ WARNING - COMPATIBILITY CHECK
Using the EVM Hardware Combinations and Compatibility table above, verify your revision of EVM can collect raw data from the DCA1000 WITHOUT requiring a MMWAVEICBOOST board.
Additional Hardware Requirements for Standalone ISK Style
- ISK or ISK-ODS Antenna Module Board Rev D or newer
Switch and Wiring Setup with Antenna Module and DCA1000
To use the RevD EVM directly with DCA1000, the switches (in the yellow circle) need to be set as shown below. On the RevD board, power is supplied via USB connector. (For 3TX and other high power use case that exceeding the limit of the USB power input, TP12 & TP13 can be used to power the antenna board)
Flip the large DCA1000 switch if none of the LEDs on it light up.
ISK and ISK-ODS With MMWAVEICBOOST Attached
This section describes setting up the hardware for an ISK style EVM attached to an MMWAVEICBOOST EVM. More information can be found in the MMWAVEICBOOST users guide at: https://www.ti.com/lit/pdf/swru546
Additional Hardware Requirements for ISK + Carrier
- MMWAVEICBOOST
- ISK or ISK-ODS Antenna Module Board
- Additional Micro USB Cable
ISK + Carrier and DCA1000 Setup
Configure MMWAVEICBOOST
If the MMWAVEICBOOST has not been used previously, then change the switches on the boards to the following states. On newer EVM’s (Only ISK Rev C or later and ISK-ODS Rev B or later have switches on the EVM itself) that have not been previously used in conjunction with the carrier board, set the switches according to the following image:
Wiring Setup with ISK and DCA1000
Flip the large DCA1000 switch if none of the LEDs on it light up.
Hardware Setup: AOP EVM’s
This section applies to the following boards:
AOP Standalone Mode
This section applies to setting an AOP EVM for Raw Data Collection via DCA1000 when used WITHOUT an MMWAVEICBOOST.
Additional Hardware Requirements for Standalone AOP
- AOP Antenna Module Rev G or newer
Switch and Wiring Setup with AOP RevG and DCA1000 This step only applies when using the xWR6843AOP RevG antenna module without an MMWAVEICBOOST, any other revision must have a MMWAVEICBOOST. To use xWR6843AOP RevG EVM directly with DCA1000, the switches (highlighted with blue squares) need to be set as shown. Note that on xWR6843AOP RevG board, power is supplied via USB connector. Flip the large DCA1000 switch if none of the LEDs on it light up.
AOP With MMWAVEICBOOST Attached
This section describes setting up the hardware for an AOP EVM when attached to an MMWAVEICBOOST. Please note the switch orientation as well as the amount of connected cables
Hardware Requirements for AOP + Carrier
- MMWAVEICBOOST
- AOP Antenna Rev A-G Module Board
- Additional Micro USB Cable
Configure AOP Switches
Configure MMWAVEICBOOST Switches
Wiring Setup
Flip the large DCA1000 switch if none of the LEDs on it light up.
Hardware Setup: xWR1xxxBOOST EVM’s
This section applies to the following EVMs:
This section will cover how to set up an xWR1xxxBOOST EVM for Raw Data Collection via DCA1000. Unlike the other devices in this guide, the debugging hardware is built into these EVMs, and as a result, an MMWAVEICBOOST is not necessary.
Switch and Wiring Setup with xWR1xxxBOOST and DCA1000
Make sure your device’s SOP mode is in “Development” mode, which is where SOP0 and SOP1 are ON and SOP2 is OFF with regards to the mmWave sensor. Also check the switches on the DCA1000 itself and make sure it matches the ones seen below.
Connect one USB cord directly from the USB port of your computer to the xWR1xxxBOOST. Connect the second USB cord from the USB port of your computer to the RADAR_FTDI of the DCA1000. Unlike other EVM setups in this guide, the barrel jack connection must be connected directly to the mmWave sensor EVM. If you are running into issues involving errors or performance, a second barrel jack connection can be connected to the DCA1000 directly to properly reach that 5V 3A power recommendation.
Lastly, make sure the switch shown here is set to SPI mode. If the switch is set to CAN mode then mmWaveStudio will be unable to connect to the DCA1000.