Radar software dev kit enhances automotive radar sensor capabilities

NXP Semiconductors has released powerful radar signal processing algorithms in the new Premium Radar SDK (PRSDK). It allows developers to enhance radar system performance, leveraging tight coupling of its advanced software algorithms with the latest S32R4x radar processor family for improved safety and differentiation. The proprietary radar algorithm library enables quick integration of proven algorithms into radar sensor applications, assisting speed radar sensor development and reducing R&D investment. This initial release includes three algorithm packages with solutions for interference mitigation, MIMO waveform optimisation and angular resolution enhancement.

Radar use cases such as automated emergency braking and adaptive cruise control are becoming increasingly standard in today's cars. Regional legislation and regulations continue to mandate more demanding features for blind-spot detection, front and rear cross-traffic and people detection, turn assistant, needing more radar nodes per vehicle to give a 360-degree safety cocoon. Furthermore, the increasing demand for a safer and more comfortable driving experience is speeding the transition to L2+, providing comfort features close to L3 autonomous driving. This, in turn, needs higher performance radar sensors to expand the corner case coverage and offer precise environment mapping and localisation.

"We expect the triple acceleration of automotive radar to continue over the next decade, with more cars equipped with radar sensors, an increasing number of sensor nodes per car and more performant sensors being deployed," says Huanyu Gu, director product marketing and business development ADAS, NXP. "This megatrend presents several challenges for vehicle OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. Specifically, it poses a need for interference mitigation, MIMO waveform optimization and augmented sensor resolution. NXP's Premium Radar SDK's advanced algorithms aim to address all these challenges, enabling customers to optimally leverage the S32R4x radar processor hardware."

The SDK is a new software product derived from the company's long history of radar innovation. It is planned to continue to evolve, extending the list of algorithms through regular releases to meet emerging radar requirements and its future radar roadmap. The PRSDK implementation complies with International Automotive Quality Management standards IATF 16949:2016 & ASPICE Level 3 requirements. The deliverables enable user customisation to meet individual adjustment and differentiation needs.

The company provides OEM and Tier 1 suppliers two evaluation options under an evaluation license agreement. The MATLAB-based version offers the algorithms as compiled code to enable developers to understand what the PRSDK does by feeding customer test vectors, computing and visualising the output vectors. Offering bit accuracy, the MCU-based evaluation option includes the algorithm binary files to run on the NXP target radar processor evaluation board and demonstrates the real-time performance of the PRSDK.