Overview
The IWR1642AQAGABLR is a single-chip mmWave sensor developed by Texas Instruments, designed for low-power, self-monitored, and ultra-accurate radar systems. This device operates in the 76- to 81-GHz frequency band with a continuous bandwidth of up to 4 GHz, utilizing Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar technology. Built on TI’s low-power 45-nm RFCMOS process, the IWR1642 integrates a comprehensive set of components including a PLL, transmitter, receiver, baseband, and analog-to-digital converters (A2D), all within a compact 10.4 mm × 10.4 mm flip-chip BGA package. This integration enables unprecedented levels of functionality in a small form factor, making it ideal for various industrial applications such as building automation, factory automation, drones, material handling, traffic monitoring, and surveillance.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 76- to 81-GHz |
| Continuous Bandwidth | Up to 4 GHz |
| Receive Channels | Four |
| Transmit Channels | Two |
| TX Power | 12.5 dBm |
| RX Noise Figure | 14 dB (76 to 77 GHz), 15 dB (77 to 81 GHz) |
| Phase Noise at 1 MHz | –95 dBc/Hz (76 to 77 GHz), –93 dBc/Hz (77 to 81 GHz) |
| Processor | ARM Cortex-R4F-Based Radio Control System |
| DSP | Ti C674x for FMCW Signal Processing |
| On-Chip Memory | 1.5MB |
| Peripherals | Up to 6 ADC Channels, Up to 2 SPI Channels, Up to 2 UARTs, CAN Interface, I2C, GPIOs, 2-Lane LVDS Interface |
| Package | 161-Pin 10.4 mm × 10.4 mm Flip Chip BGA |
| Junction Temperature Range | –40°C to 105°C |
Key Features
- FMCW Transceiver with integrated PLL, Transmitter, Receiver, Baseband, and A2D converters
- Ultra-accurate chirp (timing) engine based on fractional-N PLL
- Built-in calibration and self-test (monitoring) capabilities
- ARM Cortex-R4F-Based Radio Control System with built-in firmware (ROM)
- Self-calibrating system across frequency and temperature
- Ti C674x DSP for FMCW signal processing
- Cortex-R4F Microcontroller for object tracking, classification, and interface control
- Supports autonomous mode with user application loading from QSPI Flash Memory
- Internal memories with ECC and integrated peripherals such as ADC channels, SPI, UARTs, CAN interface, I2C, GPIOs, and LVDS interface
- Embedded self-monitoring with no host processor involvement and complex baseband architecture
- Integrated interference detection capability and power management with built-in LDO network
Applications
- Industrial sensors for measuring range, velocity, and angle
- Tank level probing radar
- Displacement sensing
- Field transmitters
- Traffic monitoring
- Proximity sensing
- Security and surveillance
- Factory automation safety guards
- People counting
- Motion detection
Q & A
- What is the frequency range of the IWR1642?
The IWR1642 operates in the 76- to 81-GHz frequency band.
- How many receive and transmit channels does the IWR1642 have?
The IWR1642 has four receive channels and two transmit channels.
- What is the TX power of the IWR1642?
The TX power of the IWR1642 is 12.5 dBm.
- What type of processor does the IWR1642 use?
The IWR1642 uses an ARM Cortex-R4F-Based Radio Control System.
- What kind of DSP is integrated in the IWR1642?
The IWR1642 integrates a Ti C674x DSP for FMCW signal processing.
- What is the on-chip memory capacity of the IWR1642?
The on-chip memory capacity of the IWR1642 is 1.5MB.
- What are some of the integrated peripherals in the IWR1642?
The IWR1642 includes up to 6 ADC channels, up to 2 SPI channels, up to 2 UARTs, CAN interface, I2C, GPIOs, and a 2-Lane LVDS interface.
- What is the package type and size of the IWR1642?
The IWR1642 comes in a 161-Pin 10.4 mm × 10.4 mm Flip Chip BGA package.
- What is the junction temperature range of the IWR1642?
The junction temperature range of the IWR1642 is –40°C to 105°C.
- What are some common applications of the IWR1642?
The IWR1642 is used in industrial sensors, tank level probing radar, displacement sensing, field transmitters, traffic monitoring, proximity sensing, security and surveillance, factory automation safety guards, people counting, and motion detection.
