Everyday Life Radar Sensors For Transportation

Autonomous transportation systems require precise, real-time information on surrounding obstacles, speed and direction of movement. However, this rapidly expanding sector has been hampered by the slow implementation of new sensor technology.

The ever-increasing levels of automation in almost all facets of everyday life and in industrial applications require machines to observe their environment and detect the people and objects surrounding them. High-precision distance and velocity sensing is therefore essential for a large variety of upcoming autonomously-operating transportation systems like civil micro-drones, robotics, fully automated transport chains and self-driving cars.

All such applications share common special requirements. These include the highest possible miniaturisation and integration of functionality, lightweight, minimal power consumption, excellent measurement accuracy and low-cost technology.

The EU-funded ELIRAD project set out to develop a radar front end featuring new properties that are relevant to future markets and to integrate and implement these radar front ends into sensors. “We developed a new generation of leading-edge 120 GHz radar sensors ideally suited for these systems and their requirements” says project coordinator Anja Boelicke. “The new sensors offer exceptional advantages while avoiding the drawbacks of current technologies.”

Several well-known technologies, such as ultrasonic measurement and the light detection and ranging technique, currently perform sensing and measurement processes. These approaches have strengths and weaknesses, both in technical and cost terms. “The relatively new technology of high-frequency radar front ends opens up new options in this field,” she notes.

Team members began by evaluating market structure and trends. This assessment helped to tackle open market segments with sufficient size and growth potential.

Miniature packaging, maximised capabilities

Project partners designed an ultra-compact, unique radar front end. This comprises silicon chips assembled in standard quad-flat no-leads packages operating in the 120 GHz band. The miniature radars consist of a silicon-based, low-cost radar front end with integrated antennas that measure 8×8 mm in total. They chose a 120 GHz industrial, scientific and medical band as it allows the miniaturisation of the antennae while maintaining a high directivity. In addition, it enables its applications to benefit from the advantages of this non-licensed frequency band.

The radar package, despite its minimal dimensions, is a robust component in high-precision distance measurement devices. It consumes significantly less power than current systems, is dirt-immune, reliable and respects privacy.

Radar sensor precision second to none

The RS1 version of the radar sensor meets the requirements of the transportation industry regarding temperature range, robustness and industrial standardisation. “It provides high-accuracy measurements in a range of up to 20 m, with a target ranging accuracy better than 1 mm,” continues Boelicke. “This superior accuracy is a worldwide unique advantage.”

Following the completion of ELIRAD, the product is now available with minimum order quantities in the range of just hundreds of units. This was done to support SMEs in their product development and roll-out. To reach this objective, the project team developed a new, low-cost assembly process together with a European partner.

“ELIRAD enables the further development of a cutting-edge radar sensor from the feasibility and demonstration levels to industrial readiness and maturity for market introduction,” concludes Boelicke. “These new sensors will support disruptive transportation applications and emerging markets.”

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Everyday Life Radar Sensors For Transportation