Automotive radar sensors in an extremely small form factor

Texas Instruments AWR1843 Automotive Radar Sensor uses the low-power 45nm RFCMOS process and allows unprecedented levels of integration in a remarkably small form factor. The device can operate in the 76GHz to 81GHz band, which makes it an excellent solution for low-power, self-monitored, ultra-accurate radar systems in the automotive environment.

The company's RFCMOS process allows a monolithic implementation of a 3TX, 4RX system with built-in PLL and A2D converters. This feature combines the DSP subsystem, which contains the company's high-performance C674x DSP for Radar Signal processing. The sensor includes a BIST processor subsystem, which is responsible for radio configuration, control, and calibration.

Furthermore, the device includes a user-programmable ARM R4F base for automotive interfacing. The HWA performs radar processing and contributes to saving MIPS on the DSP for higher-level algorithms. Simple programming model changes can aid an extensive variety of sensor implementation (Short, Mid, Long) with the opportunity of dynamic reconfiguration for implementing a multimode sensor.

The device is offered as a complete platform solution, including reference designs, software drivers, sample configurations, API guides, and user documentation. The devices are AEC-Q100 qualified for automotive applications.