A High Resolution Radar for Short Range Automotive Applications

Most microwave sensors in the commercial market make use of Doppler effect in order to determine motion, velocity and direction of motion. If fixed object range information is required, the FMCW approach would be applicable, however, the hardware and processing (both analog and digital) efforts are extensive, especially for short range applications. Thus, a new short range radar transceiver sensor architecture has been developed which is capable of precise detection of object range and velocity down to a 15 cm distance. The new architecture has a broad range of industrial and commercial measurement applications and is particularly well suited for automotive parking, `stop & go' and air-bag deployment utilization. This technical presentation explores the high resolution radar sensor architecture, the principles of operation, and the component development. The development of the dielectric resonator oscillator, sampling mixer, high speed modulator, and patch antenna are individually reviewed. Operational results are presented which demonstrate the sensors ability to resolve the detection of object range and velocity. The high resolution radar sensor illustrates one of many practical, commercial applications for M/A-COM's semiconductor and subsystems capabilities.