TI Unveils New Automotive Chips for Smarter, Safer Vehicles at CES
08-01-2024 | By Jack Pollard
At the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Texas Instruments (Nasdaq: TXN) unveiled a series of innovative automotive chips. These new developments, including the AWR2544 radar sensor and DRV series driver chips, are set to significantly enhance automotive safety and intelligence.
AWR2544: Advancing Radar Sensor Technology
The AWR2544 77GHz millimetre-wave radar sensor chip, a pioneering product for satellite radar architectures, marks a significant advancement in the field of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This chip extends vehicle sensing ranges beyond 200 metres, enabling more accurate ADAS decision-making. Its launch-on-package (LOP) technology, a first in the industry, reduces the sensor's size by up to 30%. This reduction is achieved by mounting a 3D waveguide antenna on the opposite side of the printed circuit board. The AWR2544's extended range and precision are crucial in satellite architectures, where semi-processed data from multiple sensors are combined for enhanced decision-making. Download the AWR2544 datasheet here.
DRV3946-Q1 and DRV3901-Q1: Enhancing Battery Management and Powertrain Systems
TI's introduction of the DRV3946-Q1 and DRV3901-Q1 driver chips represents a significant step forward in the control of power flow within battery management and other powertrain systems. These chips are compliant with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 26262 functional safety standards and feature built-in diagnostics, which streamline the development process for automotive engineers.
The DRV3946-Q1 is the industry’s first fully integrated contactor driver, including a peak-and-hold current controller that helps automakers increase system power efficiency. The device also implements safety diagnostics to monitor the condition of the contactor. Download the DRV3946-Q1 datasheet here.
The DRV3901-Q1 fully integrated squib driver enables an intelligent pyro fuse disconnect system by using built-in circuitry to monitor the pyro fuse and provide diagnostic information to the system microcontroller. This innovation gives hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and electric vehicle (EV) battery management system (BMS) designers the flexibility to use a pyro fuse instead of traditional melting fuse systems, thereby minimising design complexity. Download the DRV3901-Q1 datasheet here.
TI's Role in Shaping a Safer, Smarter Automotive Future
At CES 2024, TI showcased these automotive innovations, demonstrating how they contribute to smarter, safer vehicles. The AWR2544, DRV3901-Q1, and DRV3946-Q1 were featured, showing system-level innovations for ADAS and BMS designs, as well as other TI technologies across zone architectures, EV charging, energy storage, and more.
Fern Yoon, Director of Automotive Systems at Texas Instruments, emphasised the impact of these innovations: “Semiconductor innovations like the ones we’re showcasing this year at CES are helping automotive systems continue to evolve and contribute to a safer driver experience. From more advanced driver assistance systems to smarter electric vehicle powertrain systems, TI is working alongside automakers to reimagine how reliable and intelligent technology can enable safer vehicles.”
TI's Presence and Panel Participation at CES 2024
TI's presence at CES 2024 went beyond product showcases. Henrik Mannesson, TI General Manager of Grid Infrastructure, will participate in the CES panel, “Growth of the EV Marketplace: Innovations and Investments.” He will discuss the role of semiconductor innovation in accelerating the management of energy from EVs to the grid through bidirectional charging and vehicle-to-grid systems. Learn more about TI at CES here.
Availability and Access to TI's Latest Innovations
Preproduction quantities of the AWR2544, DRV3901-Q1, and DRV3946-Q1, along with evaluation modules, are now available for purchase on TI.com. Multiple payment and shipping options are offered, providing ease of access to these innovative products. For more detailed information on these products, visit TI.com/AWR2544, TI.com/DRV3946-Q1, and TI.com/DRV3901-Q1.
