Summary of SMALL FORM FACTOR MMWAVE RADAR SENSOR FOR INDUSTRIAL AND AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS
D3 Engineering released the DesignCore RS-6843AOPUA, a 1-inch cube mmWave radar sensor (30–300 GHz) for proximity and motion sensing, aimed at industrial and automotive applications. It uses TI AWR6843AOP Antenna-on-Package and an ARM Cortex-R4F (up to 200 MHz), offering on-chip DSP, radar accelerator, and MCU for FMCW processing, object tracking, and communications. Two variants exist: RS-6843AOPA (header connections for expanded I/O) and RS-6843AOPUA (USB-C for power and two UARTs). The platform targets field testing, sensing evaluation, and algorithm development with D3’s design and production support.
Parts used in the DesignCore RS-6843AOPUA:
- AWR6843AOP Antenna-on-Package (Texas Instruments)
- ARM Cortex-R4F microcontroller (up to 200 MHz)
- C674x DSP core (integrated in AWR6843AOP)
- Radar hardware accelerator (integrated in AWR6843AOP)
- Antenna array (in AWR6843AOP package)
- USB-C connector (on RS-6843AOPUA variant)
- Headers for baseboard connection (on RS-6843AOPA variant)
- USB-Serial interface (enumerates two UARTs)
With high-frequency contactless technology operating at 30 to 300 GHz, often known as mmWave is widely implemented as a sensing technology for proximity detection of objects and motion sensing. Since it operates at a high frequency, meaning the technology uses smaller wavelengths that help in giving it high accuracy and is capable of penetrating materials. Due to the increasing demand for industrial and automotive applications, D3 Engineering has announced its DesignCore RS-6843AOPUA mmWave Radar Sensor measuring 1-inch cube form factor. This small form factor sensor with a USB-Serial interface is designed for field testing, sensing evaluation, and algorithm development.
The tiny mmWave radar sensor is based around the ARM Cortex-R4F clocked with up to 200 MHz and Antenna-on-Package AWR6843AOP from the Texas Instrument. The AWR6843AOP single-chip radar device is an AECQ-100 qualified single-chip 60 GHz automotive radar sensor integrated with a DSP and MCU. It also features a radar accelerator and an antenna array in the package.
The processing cores in the AWR6843AOP include a C674x DSP for FMCW signal processing, a hardware accelerator for radar data processing, and a Cortex-R4F microcontroller for object tracking, classification, and communications.
The sensor has two variants, the RS-6843AOPA, and RS6843AOPUA. The former provides an additional option to connect it to baseboards via headers to get more interfaces and functionalities. While RS-6843AOPUA comes with a USB-C connector, which can be used to power the board or enumerate two serial UARTs (one for console and the other for algorithm outputs).
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DesignCore solutions from D3 engineering provides platforms, reference designs, and development tools that are tested and reliable hardware, software, and algorithms. If you are looking for a customizable platform for your application, then the D3 Engineering team can help you quickly move from prototype to design, and then to production.
Read more: SMALL FORM FACTOR MMWAVE RADAR SENSOR FOR INDUSTRIAL AND AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS
- What frequency range does the mmWave sensor operate in?
The article states it operates at 30 to 300 GHz, commonly known as mmWave. - What is the physical form factor of the DesignCore RS-6843AOPUA?
The sensor measures a 1-inch cube form factor. - Which Antenna-on-Package is used in the sensor?
The sensor is based around the AWR6843AOP from Texas Instruments. - What processing cores are included in the AWR6843AOP?
It includes a C674x DSP, a radar hardware accelerator, and a Cortex-R4F microcontroller. - What are the two variants of this sensor and how do they differ?
Variants are RS-6843AOPA (provides headers for baseboard connections and more interfaces) and RS-6843AOPUA (comes with USB-C for power and two serial UARTs). - What interfaces does the RS-6843AOPUA provide over USB-C?
USB-C can be used to power the board or enumerate two serial UARTs: one for console and one for algorithm outputs. - What applications is this mmWave sensor targeted at?
The article specifies industrial and automotive applications, plus field testing, sensing evaluation, and algorithm development. - What role does D3 Engineering offer beyond the hardware?
D3 provides platforms, reference designs, development tools, and can help move from prototype to design and production.
