NXP Semiconductors has extended its automotive radar one-chip family with a highly integrated radar SoC that is intended for streaming rich low-level radar sensor data at up to 1Gbit/s. NXP claims the system helps car makers optimize next-generation ADAS partitioning for software-defined vehicles while providing for a smooth transition to new architectures. Additionally, OEMs should be able to easily introduce new software-defined radar features during the lifetime of the vehicle through over-the-air (OTA) updates.
The solution, known as the SAF86xx, integrates a high-performance radar transceiver, a multi-core radar processor and a MACsec hardware engine for secure data communication over automotive ethernet. It includes NXP’s S32 high-performance processors, vehicle network connectivity and power management.
According to NXP, the automotive radar enables Tier 1 suppliers to build more compact and power-efficient radar sensors. Drivers and other road users are expected to benefit from extended detection range beyond 300m, along with more reliable detection of small objects like curb stones and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.
Hella, a supplier of automotive electronics, is using NXP’s SoC family as the foundation for its seventh-generation radar portfolio, including variants for front, rear, corner and side radar.
Dr Dietmar Stapel, vice president of radar program management at Hella, said, “After initiating our collaboration with NXP on the development of RFCMOS-based radar sensors approximately 10 years ago, we can now look back and confidently say that choosing this collaboration was the right decision. With NXP’s radar SoC family, we are now prepared to expand our market position and offer radar solutions for all relevant radar-supported functions, up to Level 4 automated driving.”
The new radar one-chip supports NCAP safety functions including emergency braking and blind-spot detection. It also supports advanced ADAS and autonomous driving applications, including advanced comfort features for SAE Levels 2+ and 3 such as traffic jam assist, highway pilot and park assist, front and rear cross-traffic alerts, and lateral and rear collision avoidance.
Steffen Spannagel, SVP and GM of ADAS at NXP, said, “Using our new SAF86xx radar one-chip family, OEMs can quickly and easily migrate their current radar platforms to new software-defined vehicle architectures.”
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