MMICs for automotive radar applications

The paper discusses trends in automotive radar applications and the use of MMICs in the transceiver design. Forward, rear, and side radar applications are discussed as a function of performance, size, cost, and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) radiation limits. Transceiver design options for each application are presented including choices for the active semiconductors required. GaAs, InP, and SiGe MMICs are design options for each application as are discrete semiconductor devices. Parameters used in device trade-offs, and advantages and disadvantages of each semiconductor technology relative to these parameters, are presented.