High-performance radar processor enters series production
NXP has started volume production of its S32R41 radar processor. The device is designed for demanding data processing of L2+ solutions for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving.
With its specific characteristics, NXP’s latest radar processor is seen as central to the further development of long-range, high-resolution corner and front radars. It is expected that the next generation of commercial vehicles will use this technology in advanced blind spot information systems (BSIS) to improve road safety for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. NXP’s scalable radar platform with highly integrated processors and radar-one chip offers a high degree of compatibility in architecture and software reuse.
As one of the first users, Taiwanese supplier and ADAS provider CubTEK will use NXP’s S32R41 processors and TEF82xx RFCMOS transceivers for its new high-end radar sensor systems.
In-vehicle radar sensors are increasingly becoming the most important sensor technology for safety-related ADAS applications designed to improve traffic safety. One highly demanding and critical use case for enhanced radar functions is the Blind Spot Information System (BSIS). Commercial vehicles have large blind spots on all four sides that can change dynamically when turning. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), these blind spots can extend up to 6 metres to the front and 9 metres to the rear. And they do so along the entire sides of the vehicle, in a width of one lane (left) or two lanes (right).
Turning accidents between large commercial vehicles such as trucks and pedestrians or cyclists usually have serious consequences. Until now, the aim has been to protect vulnerable road users by improving the driver’s visibility. Since turning accidents still occur, many vehicles are now equipped with a BSIS. This usually offers blind spot detection, lane change warning and turn assist.
The S32R41 is designed for demanding 77 GHz radar applications. These include high-resolution long-range radars as well as advanced cornering radar applications for passenger cars and commercial vehicles such as CubTEK’s BSIS. The processor’s underlying architecture operates up to functional safety level ASIL D according to ISO 26262 and provides signal processing with a powerful SPT (Signal Processing Toolbox) and Cadence BBE32 DSP radar processing accelerators. Two MIPI CSI2 interfaces and 8 MB local SRAM provide high performance for radar systems with high angular resolution. In addition, the Hardware Security Engine (HSE) with EdgeLock compliance also allows over-the-air updates (OTA) and is ISO 21434 compliant. NXP’s S32R41 processor and associated Radar Software Development Kit (RSDK) enable developers to create and optimise applications for 77 GHz high-resolution radar sensors.
More information on the S32R41 here.
