⟩ 120 GHz RADAR TRANSCEIVER – TRA_120_002

The focus of radar MMIC TRA_120_002 is on maximum integration. Here both antennas, one for transmitter and one for receiver branch, are monolithically integrated in the chip to offer lowest size and loss. Please also see our hybrid integrated MMIC radar TRX_120_001.

Application

The radar chips provide measurement signals for distance and speed measurement of objects as an analogue signal. In combination with a subsequent external signal evaluation at the customer side, possible applications are the investigation of material surfaces, the measurement of layer thicknesses and other properties of the measured objects. The main application area of the 120 GHz transceiver radar front end is for short range radar systems with an operation range of up to 10 meters. By using dielectric lenses or mirrors, the range can be increased beyond 100 metres.

In addition, radar is a widely deployed long range sensing solution for safety and convenience features such as automated emergency braking (AEB), automated parking and adaptive cruise control (ACC), leveraging frequencies between 76 GHz to 81 GHz. As vehicle OEMs look to continually improve sensing resolution, radar is now becoming increasingly important for in cabin Driver and Occupant Monitoring Systems (DMS/OMS), leveraging higher frequencies from 120 GHz to 140 GHz enabling vital sign detection, including heartbeat and respiration, to ensure occupant safety. These higher, license free frequencies also support the use of antenna on chip techniques that significantly simplify PCB design, minimize sensor form factor and reduce cost criteria particularly important for DMS/OMS applications where external antennas impose industrial design limitations unacceptable to automotive manufacturers.

No handling of high frequencies on PCB

The high-frequency radar signal is already converted to a lower frequency in the radar front end IC. The IC’s output is an analogue signal with a frequency of max. 2 GHz. This allows for routing and signal processing of all signals on cost-efficient PCBs. It can therefore be implemented on standard FR4 boards and combined with other IC components for control loops, voltage stabilization, frequency modulation and AD conversion.