The Silicon Radar GmbH evaluation kits, including SiRad Easy® r4, SiRad Easy®, and SiRad Simple®, are designed for short-term evaluation purposes in laboratory environments. These kits showcase Silicon Radar's integrated IQ transceivers, which are available as chip or on-board solutions. They measure distance and velocity using FMCW or CW radar principles, employing frequency modulated continuous wave or continuous wave principles.
The SiRad Easy® r4 is an evaluation baseboard that supports exchangeable radar front ends operating at 24 GHz to 300 GHz. The SiRad Easy® consists of an evaluation baseboard and a microcontroller board, also supporting exchangeable radar front ends (24 GHz to 300 GHz). The SiRad Simple® is a compact evaluation board featuring a 122 GHz evaluation board and a lens.
These evaluation kits come with a free graphical user interface (WebGUI) for user-friendly parameterization of the baseboard and multiple visualization modes for radar data. This flexibility allows users to change radar parameters on-the-fly, learn the basics of radar signal processing, or find specific parameter settings for a given application.
Function Description:
The SiRad Easy® r4, SiRad Easy®, and SiRad Simple® evaluation kits are designed for radar sensing applications, providing capabilities for:
- Distance and Velocity Measurement: Utilizing FMCW or CW radar principles to detect and measure the distance and velocity of targets.
- Target Detection: Capable of detecting up to 16 targets simultaneously.
- Parameterization and Control: Allows for real-time adjustment of radar parameters, including start and stop frequencies for phase-locked loop (PLL) control, and programmable FMCW/CW parameters.
- Signal Processing: Features a microcontroller for triggering, signal processing, and target recognition.
- Data Conversion: Includes analog-to-digital converters to digitize I and Q receiver signals.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Operating Frequencies:
- SiRad Easy® r4: Supports exchangeable radar front ends from 24 GHz to 300 GHz.
- SiRad Easy®: Supports exchangeable radar front ends from 24 GHz to 300 GHz.
- SiRad Simple®: Features a 122 GHz evaluation board.
- Power Supply:
- DC-DC conversion to provide single supply from USB or an external DC supply.
- UART header provides +5V and GND.
- External header (J1) provides +5V and GND.
- Data Connection Interfaces:
- UART: Available on the UART header (Figure 3) and external header (J1). Pins are 3.3V tolerant.
- Serial/USB: Connects to a PC via a USB cable, providing a virtual serial port. Requires a 3.3V TTL (TX/RX) cable.
- WiFi: Wireless data connection via a WiFi module.
- PLL Control: External header (Figure 4) for debugging PLL configuration, with 1.8V tolerant pins.
- Breakout Board (Optional): For SiRad Easy® r4, allows connection to different lines from standard pin headers and can power the Base Board.
- Microcontroller: Integrated for signal processing and control.
- Triggering: External trigger lines (TI, TR) for manual measurement initiation.
- Lenses:
- Standard black lens for 122 GHz transceivers (TRA_120_031 / TRA_120_045).
- Acrylic lens for 122 GHz transceivers (TRA_120_002) and wideband 120 GHz transceivers (TRA_120_031 / TRA_120_045). Acrylic lenses are 5mm x 5mm packaged transceivers.
- Baud Rates:
- Serial/UART ports SER1 and SER2: 8 bit, 1 stop bit, 1 start bit, no flow control, 230400 or 1000000 baud (depending on flashed firmware).
- Firmware flashing: 115200 baud.
- WiFi module flashing: 1 Mbaud.
Usage Features:
- Graphical User Interface (WebGUI): A user-friendly interface for parameterization and visualization of radar data. It allows users to:
- Plot the FFT of the baseband channel.
- Display the distance and velocity measurements and the target list.
- Adjust PLL start and stop frequencies.
- Program FMCW/CW parameters.
- Flexible Data Connection:
- Serial/USB Connection: Connect the sensor board to a PC or target application using a Serial/USB (FTDI) cable. Ensure DIP switches are in OFF positions and the WiFi module power jumper (J2) is open.
- Wireless Data Connection (WiFi): Connect a WiFi module to the microcontroller. Jumper JPS on the microcontroller board and jumpers to MT/WR and MR/WT lines on the external header (J1) are required. Power is supplied via the external header (J1).
- External Triggering: Manual triggering of measurements via the external trigger line (TR) on the J1 header.
- Lens Mounting (Optional): The kits support mounting collimator lenses for 122 GHz transceivers. Data sheets for mounting instructions are available.
- Communication Interfaces: SER1 (Serial/UART) is available on the external header (J1) via lines MR and MT. SER2 (Serial/USB) is available on the USB port (only on SiRad Easy®).
- Terminal Programs: Can connect to SER1 and/or SER2 using Realterm, PuTTY, or other third-party software.
Maintenance Features:
- Firmware Update:
- Microcontroller Firmware: Update via the USB port. Requires dropping the .bin file onto the NODE_F303RE drive. A reset of the microcontroller board is needed after flashing. Use ST-LINK Utility for flashing.
- WiFi Module Firmware: Update using
esptool via a Serial/USB (FTDI) cable. Requires specific DIP switch settings (SW1 to PROG position) and jumper configurations. The process involves downloading esptool.bat and replacing the COM port with the correct port.
- Detailed information about firmware updates is available on the Firmware Update Wiki page.
- Disassembly and Assembly:
- Front End Replacement: The radar front end can be removed and replaced by gently pulling it straight out of its connections. Avoid tilting or bending the front end.
- Power Disconnection: Always disconnect power from the Evaluation Kit before performing any disassembly or assembly.
- Troubleshooting: The PLL control header (Figure 4) can be used to debug PLL configuration.
Important Notes:
- The radar front ends are designed for a larger bandwidth than allowed in ISM bands. Users must check local regulations regarding frequency band allocations.
- Silicon Radar GmbH disclaims responsibility for consequences resulting from misuse or unauthorized modifications.
- Products are not intended for life support, nuclear facilities, or other mission-critical applications where human life may be at stake.
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