- Provides sensing accuracy and overall system performance, catering to high-precision needs in both Autotech and industrial sectors.
- Complete integration combines transmitter, receiver, and antenna features into one unified chip.
Indie Semiconductor has launched the world’s first commercial fully integrated 240 GHz radar front-end (RFE) silicon transceiver TRA240091. This device builds upon the success of the company’s previously released 120 GHz solution, expanding the company’s portfolio of short-range, high precision and high-resolution terahertz frequency radar solutions.
The new system offers an unprecedented sensing resolution and system performance, setting it apart in the field. This fully integrated solution combines all transmitter, receiver, and antenna functionalities into one chip, simplifying the complexities traditionally associated with such systems. It is designed precisely for high-accuracy use cases, especially in auto tech and industrial applications.
The key features are:
- Complements existing 76 GHz to 81 GHz radar used for long-range automotive sensing.
- Due to higher resolution, the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) is driving the use of 120 GHz terahertz radar for in-cabin monitoring.
- 240 GHz radar’s precision, enabled by higher frequency, is used for emerging vehicle dynamics and monitoring applications.
In addition to the growing automotive market opportunity, the resolution and bandwidth benefits of 240 GHz radar are also applicable to industrial sensing applications, including material thickness measurement and analysis, end-of-line product quality, tank level monitoring (now accelerated through recent EU regulation), surface inspection and security scanners. This solution can readily address these industrial terahertz frequency applications, which Mordor Intelligence estimates will be a $1.8 billion electronics opportunity by 2028.
“The launch of our 240 GHz transceiver solution marks a significant leap forward in radar technology; We are proud to offer a solution that enhances safety within vehicle cabins and revolutionises industrial monitoring applications. Our latest high-frequency radar is a game-changer in resolution, integration and system cost,” said Dr. Peter Gulden, Senior Vice President of Indie Semiconductor’s Radar Systems and Software.
The cascadable radar front end has an operating bandwidth of up to 45 GHz at 240 GHz. These unique features enable extremely high resolution, ideal for license-free 244 – 246 GHz ISM band applications and beyond. They encompass assessing and controlling air spring-based suspension settings, ensuring optimal ride comfort and performance. The system can assess road surface quality in real-time, identifying hazards and allowing vehicles to adapt their ride quality dynamically for safer and smoother journeys. Application is in the fine-grade monitoring of gas tank levels, providing precise readings and ensuring efficient fuel management.
