2 Software Quickstart Guide

The following is a step-by-step overview to get the out-of-box demo running on the AWRL6888 device.

1. Install Software

   To get started, install the latest version of the mmWave low-power SDK 6 and the EVM drivers:

   1. Latest version of mmWave-L-SDK-6
   2. XDS110 drivers (bundled with CCS)
2. Set Up Demo Hardware and Software
   1. Connect to the EVM using the micro USB port at the bottom right of the board labeled XDS_USB. Users do not need to connect to the barrel jack.
   2. Navigate to the MMWAVE-L-SDK download location and run the mmWave Radar Visualizer. The visualizer is located at <MMWAVE_L_SDK6_INSTALL_DIR>\<MMWAVE_L_SDK6_INSTALL_VERSION>\tools\visualizer\visualizer.exe.
3. Flash Application Binary
   1. Open the Flash tab in the visualizer and select the COM port of the EVM. The port is automatically detected. If the port is not detected, look for the XDS110 Class Application/User UART COM port in your device manager, and select this port in the GUI. (Note: If you do not see the correct COM ports in the device manager, install the XDS110 drivers listed in step one – Install Software).
   2. Select the AWRL6888 from the drop down menu. The device is automatically detected.
   3. Place the device into flashing mode by setting the switches as shown in the visualizer.
      Figure 2-1 Flashing Mode Switch Settings
      
      
   4. Press the Reset switch/button to register the SOP settings. The Reset button is labeled as RESET SWITCH.
   5. Press Switch Settings Confirmed in the visualizer.
      Figure 2-2 Confirm Switch Settings Button
      
      
   6. Select the desired device binary. The Range-Doppler Image (mmwave_demo.release.appimage) is the out-of-box binary. Custom binaries can be uploaded in this location.
      Figure 2-3 Image Flash Options
      
      
   7. Select the Flash button. Upon a successful flash, a message is sent that flashing completed successfully.
      Figure 2-4 Successful Flash
      
      
   8. Change the switch state as per the settings shown in the visualizer at this stage; this places the device into functional mode. Then press the Reset switch/button to register the SOP settings. (Note: For more help on device setup, see the Switch Settings section of the AWRL6844/IWRL6844 Evaluation Module User's Guide).
4. Send Chirp Configuration

   Move to the Configuration Dashboard tab in the visualizer.

   1. First confirm the COM ports and baud rate is correct.
   2. Under Configuration Selection, select a preset configuration or upload a custom configuration by pressing the Upload button. The 8TX 8RX TDM configuration is the default configuration.
      Figure 2-5 Configuration Selection
      
      
   3. Select Send Config to device. (Note: CLI output can be seen in the bottom right pane).
5. View Plots

   Once the commands are set, the visualizer opens the Plots tab and displays real-time visualizations of radar data.

   Figure 2-6 Radar Data Visualization