⟩ 24 GHz RADAR TRANSCEIVER – TRX_024_046

The Radar Transceiver TRX_024_046

The IC TRX_024_046 is a compact analog radar front end for the ISM band between 24.00 and 24.25 GHz. As the successor of our widely implemented TRX_024_006 IC, essential specifications of its predecessor have been virtually unchanged. As a significant improvement, the ESD stability was increased to 2000 V (Class 2). It can be operated in both CW and FMCW mode, so that a wide range of applications can be covered. The main application is in short range devices (SRD) with distances of up to 20 meters. By using patch antenna, or a combination of antennas & beam lenses / reflectors the radar beam angle can be reduced and the operation distance increased to up to 200 meters. With its frequency bandwidth of 2 GHz this radar front end is also well suited for (tank-) level probing radars.

The RF transceiver IC, TRX_024_046 has two amplification levels which can be selected via control pins for both the radar transmitter and receiver branch. A separate output provides a frequency reference of the internal VCO in the ratio 1:32 of the fundamental frequency. This allows e.g. the optimization of the design for the use of low-cost components and FR4 PCB materials.

Using an enabling pin in the tx branch the transmission of these radar MMICs can be switched off. Minimum power consumption is achieved in operation modes with low duty cycles and short ramp up times of down to 100 μs.