Scheduled to launch in mid-2018, the highly robust, weatherproof HELLA radar-based systems are gaining traction as a key way to implement a wide range of safety and comfort functionalities in cars.
Radar technology is also becoming pervasive in self-driving vehicle designs, allowing the car to reliably sense its environment.
Fabricated with RF CMOS process technology, NXP’s 77 GHz radar system chips forms the core of the CompactRadar Sensor from HELLA, delivering breakthrough performance and compact form factors.
With an innovative system architecture and a very high integration level, the entire HELLA CompactRadar Sensor is roughly the size of a matchbox. As it also delivers very high performance, this sensor provides a number of new options for integration, both inside and outside the vehicle.
Examples include gesture recognition, as well as a 360-degree perception of the vehicle's exterior surroundings. The latter is essential for automated parking; compared with standard ultrasonic sensors, the CompactRadar Sensor has a larger field of view, better range and higher resolution.
“As a market leader in 24 GHz radar technology in the narrowband range with decades of know-how, HELLA intends to transfer its expertise to new areas of application. We are therefore pleased to extend our strong relationship with NXP by incorporating their innovative 77 GHz RFCMOS radar system chip in our next-generation radar portfolio,” explains Dr. Christian Amsel, Member of the Executive Board, Business Division Electronics at HELLA. “Through close relations with leading technology firms like NXP and InnoSenT, we leverage the synergies between technological and innovative strength on the one hand, and years of experience in industrialization on the other.” Dr. Amsel announced the new sensor in a video speech at the 20th Automotive Electronics Congress in Ludwigsburg, Germany.
“The RFCMOS radar sensor from HELLA is a quantum leap towards enabling self-driving cars. For reliably detecting and classifying objects, car sensors need to offer high performance in a compact design – that’s how the vision of cocoon radar with a high-resolution, 360-degree surround view can become a reality,” explains Lars Reger, CTO for NXP’s Automotive business unit. “Radar will operate alongside V2X, vision, and other sensor technologies for maximum road safety and the convenience of car drivers and passengers. NXP provides a complete semiconductor portfolio for securely connected, self-driving cars.”
HELLA is a global, family-owned company, listed on the stock exchange, with around 32,000 employees at over 100 locations in more than 35 countries. The HELLA Group develops and manufactures lighting and electronic components and systems for the automotive industry and also has one of the largest retail organizations for automotive parts, accessories, diagnostics, and services within Europe. Complete vehicle modules, air-conditioning systems, and vehicle electrical systems are also produced in joint venture companies. With more than 6,000 people working in research and development, HELLA is one of the most important innovation drivers on the market. In addition, with sales of approx. 5.8 billion euros in the fiscal year 2014/2015, the HELLA Group is one of the top 40 automotive parts suppliers in the world and one of the 100 largest German industrial companies.
InnoSenT has progressed from a small startup to a leading provider of radar technology, in which automotive supplier HELLA has a 50% holding. From day one, the cornerstones of this success have remained unchanged and in particular build on partnerships with customers and suppliers, our motivated staff and an owner-managed corporate culture which provides a flexible and social framework.