Introduction
Innovation never sleeps, especially in the field of material detection. While software has become a commodity thanks to advances like Claude Code, hardware remains a major challenge. Let me tell you how I built a mmWave material classification radar—a journey that started as a graduation project and evolved beyond my expectations.
The Idea Behind the Project
In Europe, asbestos is a common plight. Found in many buildings, it's often detected through costly and invasive methods. My idea was to develop a radar capable of non-invasively detecting asbestos. Using my knowledge in material sciences and wave physics, I designed a device that could revolutionize this sector.
The Technological Choice
To rapidly prototype, I chose the Texas Instrument IWRL6432 BOOST and an ESP32 development kit. These choices allowed for reduced development and iteration time. I began working on DSP algorithms to detect materials and built a test bench to evaluate the electromagnetic response of materials.
The Digital Signal Processing Chain
The radar I constructed uses FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave) technology. It emits a frequency that linearly sweeps over time, generating a "chirp." The DSP chain transforms the echoes of these chirps into precise material signatures. This process begins with chirp generation and characterization, a crucial step as everything depends on the exact shape of this frequency sweep.
Classifier Training
After developing an approach based on Capon beamforming to obtain a density spectrum, I integrated a neural network to classify material surfaces. Under the hypothesis that "same surface, same layer" and "material change is sudden and discontinuous," I could determine the composition of material layers.
Challenges and Results
Although the project was hindered by a lack of funding, the results obtained with the prototype were promising. The cost of asbestos detection could be significantly reduced, making this technology accessible and cost-effective for end users.
Conclusion
Creating a mmWave material classification radar has been a journey of innovation and challenges. As a tech entrepreneur, this project taught me resilience and the importance of rapid iteration. I hope this example inspires you to explore and innovate in your own projects.
Let's discuss your project in 15 minutes.