With the continuous evolution of automotive safety standards and the growing demand for driving safety, ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) have experienced rapid development in recent years. These systems rely heavily on a wide array of sensors, and according to IHS Research, the automotive radar sensor market is expected to grow at an impressive annual rate of 23% over the next few years due to the widespread adoption of ADAS technology. Among various types of radar, millimeter-wave radar has emerged as the preferred choice.
Different types of radar are used in vehicles, including ultrasonic, millimeter-wave, and laser radars. Each type operates based on different principles and offers unique performance characteristics that cater to specific functions. For instance, ultrasonic radar is commonly used in parking systems due to its low cost, but it only detects objects within a short range of a few meters. Laser radar, or LiDAR, provides high resolution and precision, making it ideal for autonomous vehicles like Google’s and Baidu’s self-driving cars. However, LiDAR is expensive, limited by weather conditions such as fog and snow, and generally has a shorter detection range compared to millimeter-wave radar.
Millimeter-wave radar, operating in the frequency range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz, offers significant advantages. It can detect objects up to more than 200 meters away, providing accurate distance, speed, and angle measurements. Its strong penetration ability allows it to function effectively in adverse weather conditions such as rain, dust, and fog. Additionally, millimeter-wave radar can work in all lighting conditions and supports 24/7 operation, making it highly reliable for ADAS applications.
Compared to LiDAR, millimeter-wave radar has a much longer detection range—often exceeding 200 meters versus LiDAR's typical limit of around 150 meters. This makes it more suitable for highway driving scenarios. Furthermore, millimeter-wave radar is significantly more cost-effective, with prices currently around $1,500, while LiDAR systems can cost ten times more. Despite the popularity of LiDAR in autonomous vehicles, millimeter-wave radar remains the dominant choice for current ADAS and autonomous driving technologies.
The millimeter-wave radar market is experiencing a surge in demand. Before the rise of fully autonomous vehicles, ADAS systems were the main driver of growth. As a result, millimeter-wave radar has become the mainstream in vehicle radar systems. In recent years, the cost of millimeter-wave radar components has dropped significantly, enabling broader adoption in the automotive industry.
Major automakers such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Toyota have already integrated millimeter-wave radar into their high-end models. With the continued development of intelligent and autonomous driving, millimeter-wave radar is expected to become a standard feature in future vehicles. According to reports, China sold 1.8 million vehicle-mounted millimeter-wave radars in 2015, with one unit per 12 vehicles. The market is growing rapidly, and there is immense potential for expansion.
According to a report by Zhiyan Consulting, global shipments of vehicle-mounted millimeter-wave radars are projected to reach 72 million units by 2020. If the ADAS penetration rate in China reaches 30%, the domestic market could see 45 million units, with a market size exceeding 20 billion yuan.
Millimeter-wave radar has been used in the automotive industry since the 1990s, initially for adaptive cruise control (ACC), which required long-range detection capabilities. Over time, additional features such as collision avoidance and blind spot detection were introduced. However, early systems were expensive and technically complex. The introduction of chip-level millimeter-wave RF chips in 2012 significantly reduced costs and technical barriers, paving the way for wider application.
Currently, civilian use of millimeter-wave radar is primarily in the 24 GHz, 60 GHz, 77 GHz, and 120 GHz bands. Among these, 24 GHz and 77 GHz are most commonly used in automotive applications. While 24 GHz is mainly for medium- to short-range detection (5–70 meters), 77 GHz is used for longer distances (100–250 meters). As the need for higher accuracy increases, 77 GHz is becoming the industry standard.
The trend toward single-chip high-precision radar systems is gaining momentum. High-end vehicles are upgrading from 24 GHz to 77 GHz radar systems to meet increasing demands for precision and performance. For example, in adaptive cruise control (ACC), 77 GHz radar improves recognition rates and measurement accuracy, allowing for faster and more accurate responses to changes in traffic conditions.
The millimeter-wave radar system consists of several key components: an antenna, a transceiver system, a signal processing system, and a transceiver chip. Traditionally, SiGe-based chips have been used, but they are not highly integrated and require multiple components, leading to higher costs and larger sizes. However, advancements in CMOS technology have made it possible to use this cost-effective material in millimeter-wave circuits. CMOS offers lower power consumption and is well-suited for mass production, further reducing the overall cost of radar systems.
As a result, the integration of CMOS technology into millimeter-wave radar is helping to drive down costs and improve performance, making this critical component even more accessible for future automotive applications.
Solar Inverter,Off Grid Inverter,Three Phase Hybrid Solar Inverter,Home Solar Energy Inverter
JIANGSU BEST ENERGY CO.,LTD , https://www.bestenergy-group.com