Industry’s First Volume Production-Ready 120 GHz Radar Transceivers
Enabling vital sign detection for vehicle occupants
About Jari Haiston
In the realm of technological innovation, few advancements have been as transformative as the development of radar technology. From its initial military applications to today's intricate sensors enhancing our daily lives, radar has evolved into a dynamic tool with a vast range of uses. Founded in 2007, indie Semiconductor has been a trailblazing player in the semiconductor industry for more than a decade and is taking radar technology to new heights with their new 120 GHz radar transceiver solutions. Their comprehensive line of 120 GHz radar transceiver solutions enables next-generation functionality in applications such as vital sign detection for vehicle occupants, home monitoring systems, and much more.
The Significance of indie Semiconductor’s 120 GHz Radar Offerings
The performance of a radar system is deeply influenced by its operating frequency. Higher frequencies play a pivotal role in achieving finer resolution and enhanced accuracy, rendering them particularly suitable for applications necessitating precise object detection. Notably, the 120 GHz frequency stands out due to the following exceptional attributes:
- Millimeter-Wave Advantage: Residing within the millimeter-wave spectrum, the 120 GHz radar boasts unparalleled resolution capabilities, enabling the detection of even minuscule objects with remarkable precision. This characteristic proves indispensable for critical applications such as automotive safety, industrial automation, and the development of smart infrastructure. The radar's ability to discern intricate details enables safer roads, more efficient factories, and smarter urban planning.
- Reduced Interference: A remarkable feature of the 120 GHz frequency range is its resilience against interference when compared to lower frequency bands. This quality significantly bolsters signal integrity and reliability, making it an optimal choice for deployment in urban environments. The challenges posed by wireless congestion are effectively mitigated, further enhancing the radar's performance and usefulness in densely populated areas.
TRA_120_002 IQ Transceiver
indie Semiconductor’s TRA_120_002 IQ Transceiver serves as the radar front end (RFE) for the 122-GHz ISM band with antennas on-chip. The TRA_120_002 is an all-inclusive solution equipped with essential components such as a low-noise amplifier (LNA), quadrature mixers, a poly-phase filter, voltage-controlled oscillator, divide-by-32 outputs, and both transmit and receive antennas.
The primary application for the TRA_120_002 is within short-range radar systems, effectively covering distances of up to approximately 10 meters. Its range can be increased and augmented through the integration of dielectric lenses. The RFE exhibits versatile operational modes, accommodating both frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) and continuous wave (CW) modes. While the chip's designated usage aligns with the ISM band spanning 122 GHz to 123 GHz, there exists the potential to expand the bandwidth to encompass the complete tuning range of 7 GHz.
Key Features
- RFE with on-chip antennas for 122 GHz ISM band
- Single supply voltage of 3.3V
- Fully ESD protected device
- Low power consumption of 380mW in continuous operating mode
- Integrated low phase noise push-push VCO
- Receiver with homodyne quadrature mixer
- RX and TX dipole on-chip antennas
- Large bandwidth of up to 7 GHz
- QFN32 leadless plastic package 5 × 5mm²
- Pb-free, RoHS compliant package
- IC also available as bare die
Key Applications
- Short range radar systems (approx. 10 meter range)
- Distance measurement for trolley cranes
- Distance measurement in air springs and chassis systems for HGVs
- Vital sign detection – heartbeat and respiration
- Level measurement for liquids and bulk loads
- Home monitoring system for vital signs
- Speed measurement
- Radio Ham Communication
- Target detection in 50 cm sphere
- Measurement of the mass of bulk materials on conveyer belts
- Quality control foreign objects in food
TRA_120_045 Wide Band Transceiver
Functioning within the expansive range of 113.9 GHz to 134.1 GHz, the TRA_120_045 exhibits an impressively wide bandwidth, facilitating measurements characterized by a resolution finer than 1 mm. Remarkably, despite these exceptional specifications of the MMIC, its physical footprint remains compact at just 5 x 5 mm², packaged in a standard QFN32 package. The transceiver's on-chip RX and TX channel antennas are ingeniously designed as dipoles, further enhancing its integration. This highly cohesive architecture is responsible for its diminutive form factor and noteworthy reduction in signal path losses.
The TRA_120_045 is a comprehensive solution for measuring speed and distance. As for its operational range, the TRA_120_045 radar chip encompasses a general working distance of up to 5 meters. However, when employed alongside dielectric lenses, this range can be extended significantly, potentially reaching up to 100 meters based on the specific application.
Key Features
- Wide-band RFE with antennas on-chip
- Frequency bandwidth of ≥ 20 GHz
- Frequency range from 114-134 GHz
- Single supply voltage of 3.3 V
- Fully ESD protected device
- Power consumption of 550 mW
- Integrated low phase noise VCO
- Receiver with homodyne quadrature mixer
- RX and TX dipole antennas
- QFN32 leadless plastic package 5.5 mm2
- Pb-free, RoHS compliant package
- IC is also available as bare die
Key Applications
- Short range radar systems (approx. 5 meter range)
- High-resolution radar systems
- Imaging radars
TRX_120_067 IQ Transceiver
Tailored for the 122 GHz ISM band, the TRX_120_067 IQ Transceiver is an RFE with antennas in package. Its components encompass an LNA, quadrature mixers, a poly-phase filter, a voltage-controlled oscillator, divide-by-32 outputs, and both transmit and receive antennas. The RF signal originating from the oscillator follows a path to the RX section via buffer circuits. Here, the LNA elevates the RX signal's amplitude, and a pair of mixers, synchronized with a quadrature LO signal, execute its conversion to baseband. The 120 GHz VCO offers four distinct analog tuning inputs, each featuring its own unique tuning range and slope. By amalgamating these tuning inputs, a wide frequency tuning range can be attained. These analog tuning inputs, in conjunction with an integrated frequency divider and an external fractional-N PLL, serve adeptly in FMCW radar applications. When a constant oscillator frequency is employed, the circuit seamlessly transitions to CW mode. Furthermore, diverse modulation techniques become viable through the adept utilization of the analog tuning inputs.
The main field of application for the TRX_120_067 pertains to short-range radar systems, encompassing distances of approximately 10 meters. Through the integration of dielectric lenses or reflectors, a substantial expansion of the operational range becomes achievable. The RFE boasts adaptability for both FMCW mode and CW mode. Despite its intended application within the 122 GHz - 123 GHz ISM band, there exists the potential to broaden the bandwidth to the complete 6 GHz tuning range.
Key Features
- RFE with antennas in package for 122 GHz ISM band
- Single supply voltage of 3.3V
- Fully ESD protected device
- Low power consumption of 380mW in continuous operating mode
- Duty cycling is possible
- Integrated low phase noise push-push VCO
- Receiver with homodyne quadrature mixer
- RX and TX patch antennas
- Wide bandwidth of up to 6GHz
- QFN56 leadless plastic package 8 × 8mm²
- Package partly molded, MSL3 rated
- Pb-free, RoHS compliant package
- Replaces the TRXˍ120ˍ001
Key Applications
- Short range radar systems (approx. range of 10 meters)
- Detection of stationary and moving targets
- Vehicle detection and counting
- Tank-level monitoring
- Object positioning feedback (such as loading dock monitoring)
- Parking space detection
- Radio Ham Communication
- Quality control
TRX_120_089 and TR2_120_017 120 GHz Solutions
Two more offerings that make up indie’s 120 GHz radar solutions include the TRX_120_089 and TR2_120_017. Operating in the 118.5 - 125 GHz range, both of these products have a wide bandwidth of up to 6.5 GHz. Like other 120 GHz solutions from indie, the TRX_120_089 and TR2_120_017 are ideal solutions for short-range radar systems requiring finer resolution, enhanced accuracy, and precision detection capabilities.
indie Semiconductor’s SiRad Easy® r4 Evaluation Kit
Built upon the foundation of the esteemed SiRad Easy®, the SiRad Easy r4® is the ultimate solution for evaluating indie’s cutting-edge line of 120 GHz offerings. The SiRad Easy r4 has enhanced processor capabilities and introduces fresh methods of connectivity within a compact form factor. When paired with the accompanying software, it furnishes an operational radar system that extends far beyond the capacities of a standard test board. Unlock a comprehensive suite of functions, empowering you with an unparalleled evaluation experience.
Key Features
- Serial/USB or Wi-Fi communication to PC
- Microcontroller for triggering, signal processing, and target recognition for up to 16 targets simultaneously, transfer to the host system
- Web-based graphical user interface to change relevant parameters, plot the FFT of the baseband channels, display the distance and velocity measurements and the target list
- Phase locked loop (PLL) to adjust the start and stop frequencies
- Programmable FMCW / CW parameters
- Analog signal conditioning to amplify and filter the I and Q output signals of the transceiver
- Analog-to-Digital-converter to digitize the I and Q receiver signals
- DC-DC conversion to provide single supply from USB or an external DC supply.
24 GHz Radar Solutions from indie Semiconductor
While indie Semiconductor is paving the way with the industry’s first volume production-ready 120 GHz radar transceivers, their portfolio spans much further into other key frequencies. For example, their LNA_024_005 and TRX_024_046, 24 GHz radar solutions are tailored to meet other precise application requirements.
LNA_024_005 24 GHz Low Noise Amplifier
The LNA_024_005 is an advanced, low-noise amplifier IC for high-frequency K-band applications. An enhanced version of the LNA_024_004, the LNA_024_005 maintains reliability while achieving a remarkable 3.2 dB noise figure through optimized circuitry and SiGe technology–boasting a wide bandwidth of nearly 7.2 GHz. Ideal for wideband radar and K-band wireless RF enhancement, the LNA_024_005 offers seamless gain control between low- and high-gain modes, ensuring linear amplification. Swift toggling between on/off states supports efficient pulsed operation and power conservation. A power-enabled pin minimizes noise in signal-absent scenarios.
TRX_024_046 24 GHz Radar Transceiver
The TRX_024_046 is a compact, analog RFE for the 24 - 24.25 GHz ISM band, succeeding TRX_024_006. It enhances ESD stability to 2000 V (Class 2) while retaining crucial specifications. Operating in CW and FMCW modes, it excels in short-range devices (SRD) within 20 meters, extendable to 200 meters with patch antennas or combined antennas and lenses. With a 2 GHz bandwidth, it's suitable for (tank-) level probing radars. The TRX_024_046 features dual amplification levels, selectable via control pins. An extra output provides a 1:32 frequency reference of the internal VCO, optimizing for cost-efficient components and FR4 PCB materials. The transmission enabling pin in the TX branch minimizes power consumption in low-duty cycles, achieving rapid ramp up times as short as 100 μs.
Sensing the Future with 120 GHz Radar Offerings from indie Semiconductor
emergence of 120 GHz radar technology marks a pivotal advancement that has revolutionized precision sensing and detection across diverse industries. indie Semiconductor's unwavering commitment to unlocking this technology's potential has yielded a remarkable array of radar solutions, fundamentally altering our notions of safety, automation, and connectivity. As these radar solutions persistently evolve, their integration into a wide spectrum of applications continues to expand, promising innovation at every turn. With indie Semiconductor leading the charge, the horizon of radar technology appears exhilaratingly promising.
learn more about matching your design to the optimal 120 GHz radar solution from indie Semiconductor, our team of knowledgeable Applications Engineers are available to provide you with comprehensive information and expert guidance. Your journey into the future of radar technology awaits. Contact Symmetry Electronics for more information on matching your design with an optimal radar solution.