With modern day automated driving assistance systems and autonomous driving functions of the future requiring reliable, high-performance radar modules, Infineon has unveiled its new RASIC CTRX8181 transceiver.
The company’s latest radar transceiver solution is the first in a series of new 76GHz to 81GHz radar monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) based on 28-nm CMOS technology. Infineon’s RASIC CTRX8181 benefits from an improved signal-to-noise ratio and linearity of the transceiver provides high system-level performance and resilience.
Furthermore, the company’s radar transceiver is capable of delivering a scalable platform approach for different sensors including corner, front and short range, together with flexibility for new software-defined-vehicle architectures. This enables 77GHz automotive radar applications at less of a development cost.
The CTRX8181 features four transmit and four receive channels, provides an excellent signal-to-noise ratio and increases standard module range by up to 25%, from 250m to over 300m for example. A higher RF-channel count with improved linearity enables 33% higher vertical or angular resolution to enable a better separation between different objects like pedestrians next to cars.
The RASIC CTRX8181 transceiver also features in-chip digital phase-locked loop to enable faster ramps for increased range resolution and ultra-fast fly back times. This reduces power consumption and enables more accurate speed information which is required to separate objects at similar speeds. This also enables a completely free configurable ramp without compromising phase noise to ensure the radar is robust and reliable in a multitude of scenarios.
“The new CTRX8181 transceiver enables a reliable object separation and detection necessary for protecting vulnerable road users including motorcyclists, cyclists or pedestrians,” said Tomas Lucia, head of product marketing radar MMIC, Infineon’s Automotive Division. “The increased RF performance is a prerequisite for the successful deployment of dependable assisted and automated driving functions for all SAE levels, up to Level 4.”