Car radar brings 360-degree surround safety barrier

As is customary in the automotive industry, radar-based features are initially available in high-end models to test the technology’s suitability and reliability. These systems use 24GHz radar technology based on silicon germanium (SiGe) manufacturing processes and incorporate all-weather ADAS features such as parking assistance, blind spot detection (BSD) and lane change assist (LCA).

Today, radar is a core automotive technology, and semiconductor suppliers now offer highly optimized chipsets to address the industry’s move to the 77 GHz frequency band, which offers 4 GHz scanning bandwidth.

Blind spot detection

As a company that widely provides 77GHz radar based on RFCMOS process, NXP has always been at the forefront of this technology, focusing on comprehensive system capabilities. CMOS-based radar transceivers, dedicated high-performance radar processors and our system knowledge are delivered in batches to OEMs around the world to serve every customer. Development teams can quickly move from minimum viable products to applications adjusted to their specific needs, either independently or in collaboration with partners.

Our fifth-generation automotive radar solution was conceived with scalability and good angular resolution in mind. The RF transceiver TEF82x integrates three transmitters and four receivers covering 76 to 81 GHz. It is integrated with four 40MS/s analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), and the device includes a phase rotator and a low phase noise voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). For use in critical safety applications, the transceiver has a built-in safety monitoring module and complies with ISO26262 ASIL B standards.

Lane Change Assist

Accompanying the TEF82xx is the S32R294 radar microcontroller, which uses 16nm FinFET technology. It receives radar data via MIPI-CSI2 and provides multi-core processing and signal processing toolkit (SPT) hardware accelerators to support the need for higher angular resolution. It is an automotive AEC-Q1001-grade certified product that meets ISO26262 ASIL B (D) requirements. The microcontroller can use a large number of common automotive-grade compilers and debuggers, AUTOSARSafety MCAL, and radar accelerator simulation models (for MATLAB®).

Mastering radar technology requires years of experience, expertise is hard to come by, and it is easier to build proprietary features on functional solutions. NXP's gold partner smartmicro's radar technology provides such an entry point for OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. With decades of experience in automotive radar, they offer a range of ready-made solutions for short-range and long-range applications, as well as advanced driver assistance system design services that meet customer needs.

Smartmicro has worked closely with NXP to develop two new multi-mode products based on TEF82x and S32R294. Their new 4D short-range radar targets curved applications such as BSD, LCA, and front cross traffic alert/rear cross traffic alert (FCTA/RCTA). It offers four different waveform modes, providing 10 cm resolution at ultra-short distances and 1.3 m resolution at long distances of 130 m. Its antenna array uses a single TEF8232 radar transceiver and supports up to 12 channels (3 transmitters, 4 receivers).

For medium- and long-range multi-mode applications, a new 4D forward/rearward radar has been developed. The 48-channel array (6 transmitters, 8 receivers) uses two cascaded TEF8232s and an S32R294. The device provides medium-range (66 meters) and long-range (240 meters) modes. The sensor has an angular separation of 2°, which is ideal for automatic emergency braking (AEB) and adaptive cruise control (ACC).

Both new products use sensor fusion technology to achieve 360° omnidirectional sensing. Both sensors are independent and provide point cloud output and various synchronization options for integration into automotive systems. The new products also provide application-level software, including object tracking and occupancy grid. Data is shared via CAN-FD or automotive Ethernet interface.

Automatic emergency braking system

To meet the 360-degree sensing requirements of advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving, more and more 77GHz radar sensors are needed. Such scalable chip solutions ensure that hardware and software can be easily reused. At the same time, the bill of materials (BOM) is significantly reduced. In addition, to ensure that products and services are quickly put on the market, NXP design partner smartmicro provides ready-made sensor solutions and engineering design services for developing customized radars.

author:

HuanyuGu

Huanyu is based in Hamburg, Germany, and is responsible for product marketing and business development for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems at NXP Semiconductors. Prior to taking charge of the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems business, he had many years of experience in semiconductor marketing and business development for various automotive applications such as secure car access and automotive infotainment systems.