Infineon has announced a collaboration with Belgium-based nanoelectronics research centre Imec to develop 79 GHz CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) radar sensor chip for automotive applications, according to a joint press release. The collaboration will leverage Imec’s expertise in high-frequency system, circuit, antenna design for radar applications complementing and Infineon’s know-how in radar sensor chip.
“Compared to the mainstream 24 GHz band, the 77 GHz and 79 GHz bands enable a finer range, Doppler and angular resolution,” said Wim Van Thillo, programme director Perceptive Systems at Imec. “With these advantages, we aim to realise radar prototypes with integrated multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) antennas that not only detect large objects, but also pedestrians and bikers and thus contribute to a safer environment for all,” Thillo said. Infineon and Imex expect to make available samples of functional CMOS sensor chips in the third quarter this year. The two partners also aim to make available a complete radar system demonstrator by early next year.
Significance: The number of radar systems and sensors per vehicle is expected to grow rapidly as automakers offer an increasing number of safety and driver assistance features in a vehicle. According to Infineon, there are up to three radar systems in today’s vehicle equipped with driver assistance features. As automakers progress toward semi-automated and fully automated car, numbers of radar systems and sensors will grow. According to Infineon, in future there will be up to 10 radar systems and 10 more sensors systems in fully automated car using camera, LiDAR technology. While short-range radar (SRR) would look for side objects, the medium-range radar (MRR) would scan widely for objects up to 50 metres in front and in back, and long-range radar (LRR) would focus up to 250 metres in front and in back for high-speed collision avoidance. Infineon plans to produce radar sensor chip as single solutions in CMOS process for applications like automated parking.
