I am planning to integrate a 60 GHz mmWave radar into my current VOXL 2-based system and would appreciate some guidance regarding the recommended interface, hardware compatibility, and software integration.

I am currently evaluating the following two radar options:

1. DesignCore RS-6843AOPU USB 60 GHz mmWave Radar Sensor — D3 Engineering
D3 Engineering RS-6843AOPU

2. Texas Instruments IWR6843AOPEVM — IWR6843AOP Evaluation Module
TI IWR6843AOPEVM

Both are based on the IWR6843AOP 60–64 GHz mmWave radar platform.

Current VOXL 2 configuration

My current system uses the J3 connector for my existing Doodle Labs and Flight Controller connections.

Since I am currently using the USB connection available on J3 for these existing connections, the UART and I²C interfaces are still available for my radar integration.

Therefore, I am considering using the J19 External Sensors connector, which provides UART and I²C interfaces, to connect the external radar while keeping my existing J3 configuration unchanged.

I would like to confirm whether this approach is feasible and which interface would be recommended for the radar.

UART

• Can the RS-6843AOPU or IWR6843AOPEVM be connected to VOXL 2 through one of the J19 UART interfaces?

• Which J19 UART would you recommend for a dedicated radar application?

• Are the J19 UARTs already assigned to any default VOXL 2 functionality, and can one be reassigned to a custom radar application?

• Are the UART voltage levels of both radar options compatible with the 3.3 V CMOS UART on VOXL 2?

• What baud rate and data protocol would you recommend for receiving processed radar data?

I²C

I am also considering using I²C instead of UART, particularly if I only need processed radar information such as range, radial velocity, angle, target information, or obstacle information.

• Can I use the VOXL 2 J19 I²C interface to connect either of these radar modules?

• Which J19 I²C bus would you recommend?

• Are either of the J19 I²C buses already reserved for other VOXL 2 peripherals/functions?

• Can a custom VOXL application directly access the J19 I²C bus?

• Is there an existing VOXL driver/API that can be used for a custom I²C radar device?

• Between UART and I²C, which would you recommend for radar integration considering bandwidth, latency, reliability, and software support?

USB

I would also like to understand the USB option.

• For the RS-6843AOPU, is USB the preferred interface for accessing its processed radar/algorithm output?

• For the IWR6843AOPEVM, can VOXL 2 receive the radar point-cloud data directly over USB?

• Given that my J3 USB connection is already being used, is there another recommended USB host interface/add-on for connecting the radar to VOXL 2?

Final recommendation

Before I start the integration, I would especially appreciate your recommendation on:

RS-6843AOPU vs. IWR6843AOPEVM

and

J19 UART vs. J19 I²C vs. USB

for the most reliable and maintainable VOXL 2 integration.

My main requirement is to keep my existing Doodle Labs and Flight Controller connections on J3 unchanged and use the remaining available VOXL 2 interfaces for the radar.

Any guidance on the recommended hardware connection, J19 pin/interface selection, voltage levels, and software integration path would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!