News

2 December 2008

 

Infineon SiGe IC used in Bosch automotive radar system

Infineon Technologies AG of Neubiberg, Germany says that a chip from its RASIC (Radar System IC) product family is being used by automotive component maker Robert Bosch GmbH in its next generation of automotive radar systems, the new LRR3 (third-generation long-range radar). Volume manufacture of the radar chip at Infineon is set to start at the end of 2008, with production startup at Bosch planned for early 2009.

The LRR3 has been developed for adaptive cruise control (ACC) at ranges up to 250m, as well as predictive radar-based safety functions such as predictive brake assist systems, collision warning features and automatic emergency braking.

Infineon is using silicon-germanium (SiGe) technology to fabricate the radar chip, enabling smaller and more cost-effective radar systems than were possible with components based on more costly gallium arsenide technology, the firm claims.

“The LRR3 radar system was specially developed for high-volume driver assistance systems, and for the first time makes use of silicon-germanium as the semiconductor material,” comments Dr Dirk Freundt, LRR3 project manager for Bosch. “By employing Infineon’s innovative radar chips and avoiding the use of costly special-purpose semiconductors, it has been possible to significantly enhance the functionality of the Bosch sensor, and considerably reduce system costs,” he adds. “Bosch is also looking to bring the radar sensor and its functions into the mid-range and compact class, where it could soon be part of a car’s standard equipment.”

Infineon is Europe’s number-one supplier of chips for automotive electronics and, according to a study conducted in May by market researcher firm Strategy Analytics, has a 9.4% share of a total market worth about $19.3bn. The radar chips from Infineon’s RASIC family were developed and qualified specially for use in cars. Bosch and Infineon have achieved full automotive qualification for the LRR3 radar system.

Strategy Analytics expects that, by 2011, of the three million vehicles with remote warning systems, 2.3 million will use radar systems. By 2014, 7% of new cars could be equipped with a remote warning system, predominantly in Europe and Japan.

See related item:

Infineon claims smallest GPS receive front-end module

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