NXP Semiconductors announces the expansion of its single-chip family for automotive radar. The new SAF86xx integrates a high-performance radar transceiver and a multi-core radar processor on a single chip. It uses the MacSec hardware engine for state-of-the-art secure data communication via automotive Ethernet. The complete system solution, combined with NXP's S32 high-performance processors, vehicle networking and power management, provides the foundation for advanced software-defined radar.
The highly integrated radar SoC is designed to transmit rich low-level radar sensor data at speeds up to 1 Gbits. Helping automakers optimize next-generation ADAS partitioning for software-defined vehicles while making a smooth transition to new architectures. In addition, foundries are able to introduce new software-defined radar capabilities throughout the vehicle's lifecycle.
It shares a common architecture with the SAF85xx, which was launched last year, and leverages 28 nm RFCMOS performance to improve radar sensor capabilities compared to previous generation 40 nm or 45 nm products, achieve a detection range of 300 meters, and accurately detect roadside conditions to keep drivers safe.
Automotive** business Hella will leverage NXP's SoC family as the foundation of its seventh-generation radar portfolio. This includes variants of front, rear, corner, and side radars.
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Dietmar Stapel, vice president of project management at HELLA Radar, revealed that about 10 years ago, the company began working with NXP to develop RFCMOS-based radar sensors, and relying on NXP's radar SoC family, the company is ready to expand the market and provide radar solutions for all relevant radar-supported functions up to Level 4 autonomous driving.
The new radar monolithic supports NCAP safety features, including emergency braking and blind spot detection. It also supports advanced ADAS and autonomous driving applications. These include advanced comfort features at SAE Level 2+ and 3, such as highway navigation, parking assist, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and side and rear cross-collision avoidance.
Stefpen Spannagel, senior vice president and general manager of NXP Semiconductors ADAS, said that with NXP's new SAF86xx radar single-chip family, foundries can migrate their current radar platforms to new software-defined vehicle architectures. A network of connected radar sensors with software-defined capabilities on a dedicated S32R radar processor in a distributed architecture can enhance radar-based perception and provide experience for autonomous driving development. These include 360-degree sensing, AI-based algorithms, and secure OTA software updates.