Future self-driving vehicles will face complex road scenarios and 4D imaging radar sensor modules in the 77 GHz band will be indispensable. Compared with LiDAR, 4D imaging radar is less susceptible to inclement weather conditions and is more in line with safety requirements for self-driving vehicles.

4D imaging radar covers distance, speed, horizontal angle and vertical angle. Most current conventional radar systems either lack vertical angle detection or have very limited sensor capabilities for vertical angles. Relative to conventional systems, 4D imaging radar has achieved a breakthrough in horizontal and vertical angular resolution, with angular resolution of nearly 1 degree and 0.1 degree of angular accuracy.

4D imaging radar has far more antenna channels than conventional systems, which significantly enhances performance. Conventional radar systems usually have a 3-transmitter/4-receiver antenna architecture but 4D imaging radars can have a transceiver volume that is several times greater. As 4D imaging radar systems require more 77GHz millimeterwave antennas and transceiver chip integrations, their millimeterwave antenna, IC adapter design, and millimeterwave test validation will play an extremely critical role.

77GHz automotive millimeterwave radar manufacturer Cubtek Inc. partnered with NXP Semiconductors, the world’s leading automotive radar chip manufacturer, to launch a 4D imaging radar platform at the CES last January. The NXP imaging radar chipset solution uses the flagship S32R45 radar MPU and the second generation high performance RFCMOS radar transceiver TEF82XX for 12 transmitting and 16 receiving 77GHz antenna channels that can be expanded to 192 virtual antenna arrays using MIMO technology. 4D imaging radar performance is improved by optimizing the high-resolution algorithms with angular resolution of less than 1 degree.

When developing the 4D imaging radar, Cubtek chose the R&S ZVA40 network analyzer and the R&S ZVA-Z90 millimeterwave converter from Rohde & Schwarz to make RF measurements of the E-band. The instruments provide both high performance and highlyaccurate measurement results in sensitive, high frequency environments.

Rohde & Schwarz digital oscilloscopes include the portable R&S RTH series, the mid-range R&S MXO4 and the high-end R&S RTO6 or R&S RTP series. The latter can analyze the demodulation bandwidth of FMCW signals. The company developed the ASIC itself for low noise and high performance, creating the best measurement tool for automotive radar research and development.

Automotive test solutions – Test it. Trust it.

As a leading worldwide provider of test and measurement software, instruments and systems, Rohde & Schwarz employs its technical expertise to develop innovative solutions for the entire automotive lifecycle from predevelopment to production. OEMs, tier 1s, chip suppliers and engineering service providers around the world rely on the company’s proven test solutions for automotive radar, connectivity, infotainment, high-performance computing and EMC compliance. With innovative solutions for radar tests in development, integration and production, Rohde & Schwarz supports its customers as a reliable partner for the launch of next-generation ADAS and AD systems. The company’s many years of experience and expertise in wireless communications ensure robust connectivity conforming to all standards from 5G and C-V2X to UWB, Wi-Fi and GNSS. Rohde & Schwarz instruments enable the development and debugging of in-vehicle networks with leading-edge bus speeds as well as ECUs such as high-performance domain controllers, and help to eliminate EMC issues. Rohde & Schwarz also offers T&M equipment and custom turnkey test systems for carrying out EMI and EMS measurements on vehicles and vehicle components in line with all major CISPR, ISO and manufacturer-specific EMC standards. These systems and equipment support full vehicle antenna testing and wireless coexistence testing with the user’s own systems and instruments. The company also offers outstanding solutions for component and board level tests during ECU production. Partners and customers around the world use these test solutions to ensure automotive components and systems function correctly, interact flawlessly and smoothly and communicate faultlessly with the outside world.

R&S® is a registered trademark of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG. All press releases, including photos for downloading, are available on the internet at www.press.rohde-schwarz.com

About NXP Semiconductors

NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) enables secure connections for a smarter world, advancing solutions that make lives easier, better, and safer. As the world leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, NXP is driving innovation in the automotive, industrial & IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets. Built on more than 60 years of combined experience and expertise, the company has approximately 29,000 employees in more than 30 countries and posted revenue of $8.61 billion in 2020. Find out more at www.nxp.com.

NXP and the NXP logo are trademarks of NXP B.V. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. © 2021 NXP B.V.

About CubTEK

CubTEK, an ADAS total solution provider, is engaged in research, development, manufacturing, sales and marketing of millimeter-wave radar related sensors. As a top-tier manufacturer with a complete product line, CubTEK provides short, medium and long-range radar solutions to OE vehicle manufacturers. Applications include AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking), ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), Turn Assist, Vital Sign Detection and Corner Radar with Parking Assist and Blind Spot Detection functionalities. CubTEK’s state-of-the-art radar technology provides next generation radar products, including 4D imaging radar and related products that work to fill new international requirements. CubTEK has exponentially grown since 2018 with a substantial commercial vehicle base and capable to fit in application for virtually any motor vehicles. For more information, please visit www.cubtek.com.