Radar System Details/Installation

Product Features

• Advanced microwave sensing technology.
• Automatically activated when the driver shifts the vehicle into reverse status.
• Configuring detection zones and alarm trigger with USB to UART cable on the computer.
• The device can visualize the radar zones on the display. As soon as an object enters the detection zone, it will activate a transparent colored visualization alert in the monitor to make the driver aware of the potential danger. (Green - Far, Yellow - Middle, Red - Close).
• Detect moving objects including any transportation vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, etc.
• Work effectively in harsh environments and in poor visibility including darkness, smoke, fog, and dust.

Technical Specifications

• Frequency of Radar Sensor: 76.00...77.00GHz.
• Transmitter Type: FMCW.
• Power Supply: 10 to 32V DC.
• Detection Range: 0.2- 40m, width limit, up to 5 detection zones (distance of each zone can be configured ).
• Detection Zone Visualization: Green (furthest), Yellow (middle), Red (closest).
• Detection Tolerance: +/-15cm.
• Antenna Beam Angle: 120° (Horizontal), 14° (Vertical).
• Trigger Input ×1: Trigger from vehicle, high active Range above +10Vdc, up to supply voltage.
• Alarm Output ×1: Switched to Ground when activated Loading up to 1.0A.
• Video format: CVBS(PAL/NTSC), 720P 25fps/30fps, 1080P 25fps/30fps
• Wi-Fi module: 2.4GHz
• Operating Temperature: -20 to +70°C.
• Storage Temperature: -30 to +80°C.
• IP Protection: IP69K (sensor), IP66(Control Box).
• Vibration Rating: 5.9G
• Dimensions: Sensor: 106.6(W) ×72.9(H) ×34.5(D) mm. Control Box: 152.6(W) ×89.2(H) ×53.8(D) mm.
• Weight: 158.8Grams (sensor) 240Grams (Control Box).
• Mounting: Two (4.5mm) diameter mounting holes (sensor) Four (6mm) diameter mounting holes (Control Box).

Understanding the Radar System

Radar works on the principle of line of sight and relies on some of the electromagnetic energy transmitted by the sensor being reflected from the object to the sensor. If an object does not reflect enough electromagnetic energy back to the sensor, it will not be detected. In the case where there are multiple objects in the detection area at various distances and/or angles, the sensor detects the closest object, which is the most important one for collision avoidance.

The object’s nature, location, and direction are key factors in determining if an object will be detected or not. The determining factors are listed below.

• Size: Larger surfaces are detected better than smaller surfaces.
• Material: Metal is detected better than non-metal materials, such as wood, plastic, paper, etc.
• Surface: A smooth and solid surface is detected better than rough, uneven, porous, fragmented, or liquid surfaces, such as bushes, gravel, and water.
• Shape: A flat object is better detected than a complex shape.
• Angle: An object facing directly towards the sensor (perpendicular, orientation head on to the sensor) is detected better than an object that is located towards the edges of the detection area or at an angle.
• Distance: An object closer to the sensor is better detected than one that is further away.

IMPORTANT! The sensor cannot detect an object that is 0.5 meters (1.6 feet or 20 inches) or less from it. All readings will STOP, and the vehicle should NOT go any further without risk of collision.

Sensor Installation

The radar sensor mounting location is important to proper operation. Ideally, the sensor should be mounted on the rear center of the vehicle at roughly 1m +/- 0.3m above the ground. The sensor face should be perpendicular to the ground with Silicone Pad. The arrow on the back of the sensor must be placed downward.

IMPORTANT! Before the Radar Detection System is permanently installed on the vehicle, verify that the sensor mounting location provides a clear detection zone. Temporarily attach the sensor in the proposed mounting location, apply power to the system, and verify detection ability with and without an object.

System connection diagram

Trigger input

The system provides an auxiliary input that allows an external signal input to change the sensor status between standby and active. As a backing sensor application, a single white wire of extension cable connects to positive power wire of the back-up light.

Alarm output

The system provides an auxiliary output that triggers an external device whenever the sensor detects an object. This output can be used to activate an external backup alarm or a light beacon. The output is switched from a high impedance state to ground when activated and is protected against over-current or short-circuit. The maximum operating current is approximately one amp. The power supply for an alarm cannot exceed 24V.

Alerts Description

The system provides both visual and audible indicators for a detected object. Once an object enters the detection zones, it will activate a transparent visualization to display potential danger for the driver. Distance to the detected object is displayed with five colored zones on the monitor. The distance of each zone and detection range can be customized.

The buzzer provides an audible alert with a “Beep” that increases in rate as an object becomes closer, indicating the object has been detected and is getting closer to the vehicle. The monitor’s internal buzzer can also provide an audible alert.

__________________________________________

Condition: No object detected
Visual: None
Buzzer: Off

__________________________________________

Condition: Object in Zone 5
Visual: Green
Buzzer: Bi-Bi-Bi

__________________________________________

Condition: Object in Zone 4
Visual: Green
Buzzer: BiBi-BiBi-BiBi

__________________________________________

Condition: Object in Zone 3
Visual: Yellow
Buzzer: BiBiBi-BiBiBi-BiBiBi

__________________________________________

Condition: Object in Zone 2
Visual: Yellow
Buzzer: BiBiBiBi-BiBiBiBi-BiBiBiBi

__________________________________________

Condition: Object in Zone 1
Visual: Red
Buzzer: Constant tone

__________________________________________

PC Configuration

The Rear-View Radar Object Detection Kit can be configured with a customizable detection zone and monitor overlay. To do so, the Radar System Configuration Tool (link) can be downloaded to a PC and the application can be used to adjust the radar control box configuration. The control box can be connected to wirelessly (preferred) or via a USB to UART connection cable.

In both methods, the control box must be powered on and not triggered. This means that the white "trigger in" wire must not be powered.

Wireless Connection (preferred method)

1. Open the Radar Tool Application.
2. Press Setup in the top left corner (Radar will be required to be powered on and not currently triggered).
3. On the left-hand side under connection mode – toggle from COM to WIFI.
4. In the new Wi-Fi Port Set window, click the drop-down menu and select the radar (should be found if Radar is powered on).
5. Default password is eight 8’s: 88888888.
6. Proceed through the instructions in the Configuration Tool Software Installation section (below).

Wired Connection (not preferred)

Downloads

• .NET Framework
• Microsoft C++ Redistributable Package
• CP210x Universal Windows Driver
• Radar System Configuration Tool (click to download zip file)

1. Connect the USB to UART cable (white connector) to the buzzer/configuration port on the control box. Connect the USB‑A to the PC.
   
2. Open the Radar System Configuration Tool
3. Click on COM and select the COM port that the radar is assigned to
4. Click on "Open"

Configuration Tool Software Installation

After launching the ConfigurationTool.exe program, the home screen of the Radar System Configuration Tool will display.

Setup Screen

• The top navigation bar has three menus: setup, view, and about.
• Click the “setup” button on the top navigation bar and the settings interface displays.
• The bottom bar is a status bar, which is used to show the connection state and the application state. In this interface example, the connection state is “Ready,” and the application state is “WiFi Closed | Com Closed.”
• Com Port Set is used to select the COM port number for connection when COM mode is selected. If Wi-Fi mode is selected for the connection, the interface will change to Wi-Fi Port. “Manage Password” can set Wi-Fi password.
• Code Update is an updating function that allows for the interface to receive software/code updates (via an uploaded file, available for selection from the drop-down list).
• The Configuration Section includes Sensor Zone Length, Sensor Install Angle, Quick Setting, Trigger Output Length, Distance Display, Buzzer Starting Zone, Sensor Number (One Sensor), Overlay mode, Transparency, and Signal type of output, and Action buttons to confirm settings or exit/cancel.

View Screen

The “View” screen shows how settings are reflected in the system display as they are applied.

About Screen

The “About” screen displays the version number of the configuration tool.

Connecting to the Control Box

Reading Configuration Data from the Control Box

When clicking the “Open” button via COM (wired) or Wi-Fi (wireless), Configuration Tool will send a query instruction to Control Box and read configuration data from the Control Box. Once configuration has been read successfully, the latest configuration data is displayed in part B, the firmware version information is displayed in part C and connection status is displayed in part D.

IMPORTANT! Keep the connection between the Control Box and the PC on/active while using the Configuration Tool.

Setup Detection Area

Part B is a configuration group box. This is used to configure “Sensor Zone Length,” “Quick Setting,” “Sensor Zone Width,” “Combination Display,” “Trigger Output Length” ,“Buzzer Starting Zone”, and so on.

Sensor Zone Length

The detection area length can be set in two ways; 1: Setting each zone individually via the “Sensor 1 Zone Length”. “Sensor 2 Zone Length” can be set when you choose sensor number as two sensors. 2: Setting each zone quickly via the “Quick Setting”.

Sensor 1 Zone Length Setup

This is used to set up each of the five zones individually. Make “L” represent the maximum detection length of the sensor. Zone 1 has a range from 0.1m to L and others have a range from 0m to L selectable via the pull-down menus or data input. The combined total length will not exceed L. It is the same settings to Sensor 2 Zone Length.

Note: The Trigger Output Length and Buzzer Starting Zone will return “none” when the Sensor 1 Zones Length is changed. Set the Trigger Output Length and Buzzer Starting Zone manually as required.

Quick Setting

There are 12 kinds of “Quick Zones”, these are preset zones and can be selected by clicking the appropriate check box. Using this option will set the total length, max trigger output length and buzzer starting zone and create five equal zones.

Sensor 1 Zone Width

Set the width of detection zone as the following picture. This configuration does not support the 24G 1T1R sensor (type). The value you set is the half side of detection zone. The total width is double the value. You can set the range from ±0.1m to ±10m (0.2m to 20m) via the pull-down menus or data input.

Trigger Output Length

The Trigger Output Length is set at the point where you want the trigger output to start in the detection area. Select the appropriate Trigger Output Length from the drop-down box or input the specific number. The range is from 1m to the sum of detection length Sensor 1 selected.

Distance Display

It will display the detecting distance of the object on the monitor if “Yes” is selected. No distance information will be shown if “No” is selected.

Sensor 1 Install Angle

It shows the horizontal angle you should mount the sensor. You can only read the angle and cannot configure it.

Buzzer Starting Zone

Select the required buzzer starting zone from the drop-down box. The range is from 1 to the max zone.

Combination Display

It is active only if using two sensors. Two sensors will combined detect when you select Yes. In this mode, two sensors should be mounted at proper degrees horizontally. Two sensors detect independently, and the monitor will show each of the alarm zones if “No” is selected.

Sensor 1 Speed Filter

If the speed of objects is lower than the speed you set, there will be no alarm.

Sensor number

Two sensors can be set when you use two sensors in one Control Box.

Overlay mode

It changes the overlay display mode in the monitor.

Sensor 1 Direction Filter

Both: alarm when the object is far away or near.

Away: alarm only if the object is far away.

Near: alarm only if the object is nearby.

Transparency

It changes the transparency of the overlay in the monitor.

Signal type of output

It sets the resolution of video output to monitor when camera is not used. Alarm overlay is still on monitor without camera.

Download Configuration Data to the Control Box

Make sure the Configuration Tool is in connected state. Once all the required configurations are selected, all the settings can be programmed into the Control Box. The “view” interface will also display the status you set. Click the “Apply” button and it will download the configuration data to the Control Box. Once configuration is downloaded, A popup window prompts “Config Success” and “Apply Success” will be displayed at the Part D.

IMPORTANT! If Part D displays “Query Failed,” please check the connection between the PC and the Control Box or Wi-Fi connection.

System Update

Choose the Code File(.jic) to update the Control Box system via Wi-Fi or UART port. It takes some time to update. Do not cut off the power supply of the Control Box during the update or the Control Box update will fail and lead to abnormal operation.

Testing and Maintenance

A walk-around test should be performed every day to verify the proper function of the system and to familiarize the operator with the zone of detection. More frequent inspections should be performed when:

• The vehicle is operating in a particularly dirty or harsh environment.
• The operator suspects that the system has been damaged.

The walk-around test should be performed with two people. One person remains in the cab (the operator), and one person walks through the sensor detection field (the assistant).

1) Clean the sensor face of any accumulation of dirt, mud, snow, ice, or debris.

2) Visually inspect the attached wiring and cabling and verify that they are properly secured and undamaged. Inspect the Radar Sensor and Control Box and verify that they are securely attached to the vehicle.

3) Set the parking brakes, start the vehicle, depress and hold the vehicle brake, and place the vehicle in reverse.

4) The area to the rear of the vehicle should be clear of obstacles for a distance greater than the sensor range. If the monitor shows any overlay or has any buzzer sounds, then there are objects to the rear of the vehicle that will interfere with the test. Move the vehicle to an area clear of obstacles and proceed with the test.

5) The assistant should move to just behind the rear corner of the vehicle within sight of the operator's mirrors. The assistant should then walk toward the center line of the vehicle parallel to the rear, while the operator notes when the monitor shows an overlay and the buzzer sounds, signifying the sensor has detected the object.

6) The assistant should continue walking through the area at the rear of the vehicle while the operator notes the area where detection occurs.

7) Next, the assistant should walk from the center of the rear of the vehicle straight back, away from the vehicle. When the buzzer quits sounding or the overlay disappears, the detection limit has been reached.

8) The assistant should walk the complete rear of the vehicle while the operator notes the detection edges of the entire coverage area.

9) After the test, the operator and the assistant should discuss and/or note the details of the detection zone they observed so as to use the Radar System correctly.

Troubleshooting

The symptoms described below do not necessarily mean a failure within the system. Please check the following items before initiating a repair request.

__________________________________________

Problem: No reaction from the system while the gear is switched to reverse.
Possible Cause(s): No power input or no trigger input.
Solution: Check the power and activation input cable connection (see Installation/System Connection Diagrams section).

__________________________________________

Problem: No reaction on display while there are obstacles within the detecting area.
Possible Cause(s): Improper connection of the sensor or monitor.
Solution: Check if there is loose connection.

__________________________________________

Problem: No audible alert while there are obstacles within the detecting area.
Possible Cause(s): The monitor sound volume is turned off or set too low.
Solution: Turn on or turn up the monitor's sound volume.

__________________________________________

Problem: Monitor shows "No Sensor Detected."
Possible Cause(s): Improper connection of the sensor.
Solution: Check if there is a loose connection.

__________________________________________

Problem:There is no obstacle within the detecting area, but there is a constant warning.
Possible Cause(s): The ground is detected.
Solution: Adjust the angle of the sensor.

__________________________________________

Problem: Cannot configure the USB to UART cable.
Possible Cause(s): The Control Box is not powered, or the trigger input line setting is on high.
Solution: Make sure the Control Box is powered on and the trigger setting is on low (or no connect).

__________________________________________

Problem: Cannot search the Wi-Fi device in the PC Configuration Tool.
Possible Cause(s): Wi-Fi signal is weak, or Wi-Fi is not functioning properly on the computer.
Solution: Situate the computer close to the Radar Control Box and reconnect Wi-Fi.

__________________________________________ 

Problem: Cannot search the Wi-Fi device on the mobile phone Configuration Tool.
Possible Cause(s): The Wi-Fi signal is weak, or the phone's Wi‑Fi is not turned on.
Solution: Confirm the phone's Wi-Fi is turned on and reconnect the Wi-Fi in the Configuration Tool.

__________________________________________

Problem: Wi-Fi disconnects automatically.
Possible Cause(s): The Wi-Fi signal may have interference from other electronic devices.
Solution: Situate the Wi-Fi away from other electronic devices (6 ft. or more) and restart the Control Box.