HELLA Uses NXP Technology to Expand Radar-Based Driver Assistance Portfolio

HELLA has announced that it will shortly launch its range of CompactRadar Sensors, which use the highly innovative RFCMOS radar system chips from NXP Semiconductors (NXPI). This will set a new benchmark in 77 GHz technology. These strong, weatherproof radar-based systems are becoming increasingly popular for the purpose of developing a number of safety and comfort functionalities in cars. Radar technology is also widely used in the design of autonomous vehicles, as part of helping the car to detect elements in its environment. HELLA is planning to launch the CompactRadar product range in mid-2018.

NXP’s 77 GHz radar system chips derived from RFCMOS process technology are a core component of the CompactRadar Sensor from HELLA, and deliver breakthrough performance and compact form factors. The complete HELLA CompactRadar Sensor is just the size of a matchbox thanks to an innovative system architecture and a very high integration level. It is also notable for its very high level of performance, and opens up the possibility of integrating this sensor in new ways, both inside and outside the vehicle. A few ways in which it can be used is for gesture recognition, as well as a 360-degree perception of the vehicle’s exterior surroundings, which is essential for automated parking. When compared with standard ultrasonic sensors, the CompactRadar Sensor has a larger field of view, better range and higher resolution.

Dr. Christian Amsel, Member of the Executive Board, Business pision Electronics at HELLA explained that as a market leader in 24 GHz radar technology in the narrowband range with decades of expertise, HELLA will now transfer this expertise to new areas of application.

This is why the company is extending its strong relationship with NXP by using their innovative 77 GHz RFCMOS radar system chip in HELLA’s next-generation radar portfolio. HELLA has managed to leverage the synergies between technological and innovative strength on the one hand, and its years of experience in this field through close partnerships with leading technology companies like NXP and InnoSenT. Dr. Amsel announced the launch of the new sensor in a video speech at the 20th Automotive Electronics Congressin Ludwigsburg, Germany.

Lars Reger, Chief Technology Officer for NXP’s Automotive business unit said that the RFCMOS radar sensor from HELLA will go a long way in making self-driving cars a reality. Car sensors that marry car sensors high performance with compact design are needed for reliably detecting and classifying objects and this technology will make the vision of cocoon radar with a high-resolution, 360-degree surround view a reality in the near future.

He added that radar can be used along with V2X, vision, and other sensor technologies for maximum road safety and the convenience of car drivers and passengers. NXP has a complete semiconductor portfolio for securely connected, self-driving cars.