Radar processors target up to Level 4 autonomous driving
NXP Semiconductors has unveiled its latest S32R47 imaging radar processors in 16 nm FinFET technology.
The third generation of imaging radar processors delivers up to twice the processing power compared to the previous generation, along with improved system cost and power efficiency. When combined with mmWave radar transceivers, power management, and in-vehicle networking products from NXP, the S32R47 family meets functional safety ASIL ISO 26262 ASIL B(D) requirements and prepares the automotive industry for new levels of autonomous driving.
According to Yole Intelligence’s Status of the Radar Industry 2024 report, by 2029, approximately 40% of vehicles on the road will be passenger cars with driving automation Level 2+(L2+) and Level 3 (L3), as well as a growing number of vehicles with Level 4 (L4). To meet the demands of the rapidly expanding autonomous driving market for SDVs, automotive OEMs and tier 1 suppliers must enhance radar performance. This improvement is crucial for safe, advanced autonomy features such as piloted driving and fully automated parking.
“The S32R47 can efficiently process three times or more antenna channels in real-time than current production offerings. It enables improved imaging radar resolution, sensitivity and dynamic range — required by demanding autonomous driving use cases — while still meeting the stringent power and system cost targets set by OEMs for volume production,” said Meindert van den Beld, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Radar and ADAS.
Imaging radar utilises richer point cloud data for more detailed modelling of the environment. This is a key enabler for AI-based perception systems, which facilitate assisted and autonomous driving in challenging environmental conditions, such as complex urban scenarios.
The S32R47 features a high-performance multi-core radar processing system, allowing for denser point cloud output and enhanced algorithms that support next-generation ADAS systems. This leads to improved separability of objects, increased detection reliability, and more accurate classification of items such as vulnerable road users or lost cargo.
Built on know-how and the proven technology of two previous generations, the S32R47 delivers up to 2x processing performance in the radar MPU in a 38% smaller IC footprint. It also includes AI/ML support for features like enhanced Direction of Arrival (DoA) processing and object classification. It achieves comparable or better performance with up to 89% less antenna channels than alternative products, solving integration challenges with reduced system cost, size and power consumption.
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
