TIDUFF0 December   2025

 

  1.   1
  2.   Description
  3.   Resources
  4.   Features
  5.   Applications
  6.   6
  7. 1System Description
    1. 1.1 Key System Specifications
  8. 2System Overview
    1. 2.1 Block Diagram
    2. 2.2 Design Considerations
    3. 2.3 Highlighted Products
      1. 2.3.1 AWR2188
      2. 2.3.2 DS90UB971S-Q1
      3. 2.3.3 MSPM0G3519-Q1
      4. 2.3.4 LM68635-Q1
      5. 2.3.5 LP8772x-Q1
      6. 2.3.6 TPS6285018A-Q1
      7. 2.3.7 CDC6C025000-Q1
  9. 3System Design Theory
    1. 3.1 Diagnostic and Monitoring Features
    2. 3.2 Power over Coax (PoC) Network
    3. 3.3 SPI and I2C Communication Interface
  10. 4Hardware, Software, Testing Requirements, and Test Results
    1. 4.1 Hardware Requirements
    2. 4.2 Software Requirements
    3. 4.3 Test Setup
      1. 4.3.1 Precautions
      2. 4.3.2 Data Capturing Approach
  11. 5Design and Documentation Support
    1. 5.1 Design Files
      1. 5.1.1 Schematics
      2. 5.1.2 BOM
      3. 5.1.3 PCB Layout Recommendations
        1. 5.1.3.1 Launch on Package (LOP Antenna)
        2. 5.1.3.2 Power over Coax (PoC)
        3. 5.1.3.3 PCB Layer Stackup
        4. 5.1.3.4 Board Photos
    2. 5.2 Tools and Software
    3. 5.3 Documentation Support
    4. 5.4 Support Resources
    5. 5.5 Trademarks
      1. 5.5.1 About the Author
  12. 6About the Author

2.2 Design Considerations

This streaming radar reference design represents a close-to-end-customer sensing method where each component has been carefully selected to create a seamless, high-performance streaming radar system. At the core, the AWR2188 is a self-contained FMCW transceiver single-chip device radar sensor that simplifies the implementation of Automotive Radar sensors in the band of 76GHz to 81GHz, which delivers exceptional range, resolution, and raw data transmission.

The DS90UB971S-Q1 FPD-Link IV serializer is designed to transmit the radar sensor raw data over a coaxial cable, which also adds support of Power over Coax, simplifying system wiring. The device supports serial peripheral interface and I2C to communicate with the MSPM0G3519-Q1 microcontroller and the LP8772x-Q1 Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC). General-Purpose Inputs-Outputs (GPIO) are available to control the reset and the frame sync for the AWR2188.

The CDC6C025000-Q1 Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) oscillator provides the clock to the FPD-Link serializer. The low jitter and frequency stability improve the FPD-Link eye diagram and increase system level immunity to interference, such as radiated immunity, Bulk Current Injection (BCI), and system-level electrostatic discharge (ESD) performance.

The MSPM0G3519-Q1 microcontroller replaces flash memory and stores the configuration and firmware. The microcontroller converts I2C to SPI to interact through the APIs from the mmWaveLink application of the host processor and controls the AWR2188. The microcontroller enables boot and run time calibration of AWR2188 and offers specific cybersecurity enablers that support cybersecurity requirements for automotive sensors.

The LM68635-Q1 supports up to 70V input voltage. The higher switching frequency of 2.2MHz enables the design to meet the FPD-Link specification and delivers low noise output voltage to supply the system. The LP8772x-Q1 PMIC with high voltage output accuracy of 1% while providing low noise is the recommended power approach for the AWR2188. The cost, BOM, and space optimized PMIC power approach powers the radar sensor and the principal peripherals. The low noise and ripple performance of the integrated buck regulators meet the AWR2188 noise and ripple performance specifications to provide effective radar performance. The complementary TPS6285018A-Q1 buck converter delivers the 1.2V power rail to the AWR2188.

The radar evaluation board, when combined with a compatible host data capture board, contains everything needed to start evaluating the AWR2188 in a streaming configuration.