Automotive Radar

Overview

Automotive radar systems are a key component of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles. They rely on RF technology to detect objects, measure distance and speed, and provide real-time situational awareness for safe driving.

Core RF Products for Automotive Radar

Key RF components deployed in automotive radar systems include:

• Power Amplifiers (PA / SSPA / GaN / SiC) – Generate high-power RF signals for long-range detection and object illumination.
• Low-Noise Amplifiers (LNA) – Enhance sensitivity to detect weak reflections from distant or small objects.
• Oscillators (OCXO, TCXO, VCXO) – Provide ultra-stable frequency references for precise range and speed measurements.
• RF Filters, Duplexers, Bandpass Filters – Enable clean signal operation and minimize interference in dense RF environments.
• Mixers – Support frequency conversion for intermediate frequency processing in radar receivers.
• RF Switches and Attenuators – Allow adaptive routing and power adjustment for multiple radar channels.
• Front-End Modules / RF Modules – Integrate amplification, filtering, and switching in compact vehicle-mounted modules.
• RF Connectors, Cables, and Antennas – Ensure low-loss signal transmission and reliable mounting in automotive applications.
• Directional Couplers, Isolators, Circulators – Protect sensitive radar receivers and maintain signal integrity.

Applications in Automotive Radar

RF products enable essential functionalities in automotive radar systems:

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) – Detect and track vehicles to maintain safe distances.
• Collision Avoidance – High-resolution radar sensing to prevent accidents.
• Blind Spot Detection – Monitor surrounding vehicles and obstacles in adjacent lanes.
• Parking Assistance – Short-range radar modules provide precise object detection for automated parking.
• Autonomous Driving Support – Multi-band radar arrays enable full situational awareness for self-driving systems.

Engineering Considerations

• High-linearity and low-noise front-end design for accurate detection and measurement.
• Compact, robust module integration for vehicle installation in tight spaces.
• Impedance matching and low-loss RF interconnections across connectors, cables, and antennas.
• Thermal management for high-power, continuous operation in automotive environments.
• Multi-band radar compatibility for short-, mid-, and long-range detection scenarios.