Texas Instruments IWR6843LEVM

Overview

IWR6843LEVM from Texas Instruments is an FR4-based evaluation module for the XWR6843 60–64 GHz mmWave radar sensor, featuring integrated wide-field-of-view antennas (120° azimuth / 80° elevation), onboard CAN-FD transceivers, and dual 60-pin HD connectors for raw LVDS ADC data capture with the DCA1000EVM or MMWAVEICBOOST.

For engineers reviewing the IWR6843LEVM datasheet, IWR6843LEVM pinout, IWR6843LEVM application, or IWR6843LEVM equivalent, this page delivers verified hardware configuration details, USB- and external-powered operational modes, antenna virtual array geometry, SOP switch mapping, and supported development workflows including mmWave SDK integration and raw ADC streaming.

Technical Context

The IWR6843LEVM implements a discrete DCDC power management solution using four TPS6285xx buck converters to supply regulated rails (1.0 V, 1.2 V, 1.7 V, 1.8 V, 3.3 V) to the XWR6843 SoC, while supporting three distinct operational modes-standalone USB-powered, DCA1000EVM-connected, and MMWAVEICBOOST-mounted-with configurable signal routing via S1 multiplexer switches.

It integrates a 4-receiver / 3-transmitter FR4 antenna array forming a 12-element virtual array enabling 15° azimuth and 58° elevation angular resolution, with antenna gain of ~5–6 dBi across TX/RX pairs, and includes on-board temperature (TMP112A), current (INA226 ×4), and EEPROM (CAT24C08) sensors accessible via I²C at fixed slave addresses.

Key Specifications

Availability

IWR6843LEVM is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for mmWave radar prototyping, industrial presence sensing, automotive cabin monitoring, and smart infrastructure development requiring stable component supply and full evaluation ecosystem support.

Supply support for IWR6843LEVM includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, delivering analog, embedded processing, and wireless connectivity solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

The IWR6843LEVM belongs to TI's mmWave Sensing Evaluation Platform product line, designed specifically to accelerate development of 60–64 GHz radar systems for occupancy detection, gesture recognition, vital sign monitoring, and industrial motion analytics.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the IWR6843LEVM?

The IWR6843LEVM is an evaluation module-not a standalone sensor-that enables rapid hardware validation and software development for the XWR6843 mmWave radar SoC. It provides direct access to raw ADC data, debug interfaces (JTAG, UART), power regulation, antenna integration, and interoperability with TI's DCA1000EVM and MMWAVEICBOOST platforms. The IWR6843LEVM itself contains no radar processing firmware; it serves as the physical interface layer between the XWR6843 chip and host development tools.

Does the IWR6843LEVM include an integrated radar sensor?

Yes-the IWR6843LEVM embeds the XWR6843 single-chip mmWave radar sensor operating in the 60–64 GHz band. This SoC integrates a C67x DSP core, Arm® Cortex®-R4F controller, RF front-end, ADC, and on-chip memory. The IWR6843LEVM exposes all essential signals (LVDS ADC outputs, SPI, I²C, CAN-FD, JTAG) and supplies required voltage rails via discrete DCDC converters, making it a complete reference platform for the XWR6843 device.

How does the virtual antenna array work on the IWR6843LEVM?

The IWR6843LEVM uses 3 physical transmitters and 4 physical receivers arranged on FR4 to synthesize a 12-element virtual array. By combining TX/RX pairs (e.g., TX1→RX1, TX1→RX2…), it achieves finer angular resolution: 15° in azimuth and 58° in elevation. Antenna spacing follows λ/2 (≈2.42 mm) in critical dimensions, calibrated for 62 GHz operation. Measured antenna gain is ~5–6 dBi across active TX/RX combinations.

Can the IWR6843LEVM operate without external development hardware?

Yes-the IWR6843LEVM supports standalone USB-powered operation using its onboard CP2105 USB-to-UART bridge. In modular mode, it enumerates two virtual COM ports: one for MSS logging and another for application UART. Firmware can be flashed to onboard MX25R1635 QSPI flash via UniFlash using the enhanced COM port, enabling out-of-box demos without DCA1000EVM or MMWAVEICBOOST.

What are the key differences between IWR6843LEVM and IWR6843ISK?

The IWR6843LEVM is a low-cost, FR4-based EVM optimized for broad accessibility and ease of use, with relaxed PCB rules and discrete power management. In contrast, the IWR6843ISK uses a multilayer high-frequency laminate (Rogers RO4003C), offers higher antenna gain (~9 dBi), tighter beamwidth, and supports advanced features like camera-mount integration and higher RF output power. The IWR6843LEVM targets early-stage algorithm development and cost-sensitive prototyping; the ISK targets production-grade system validation.