The market for driver assistance systems based on millimeter-wave radar sensor technology is gaining momentum. In the near future, the full range of newly introduced car models will be equipped with radar based systems which leads to high volume production with low cost potential. This paper provides background and an overview of the state of the art of millimeter-wave technology for automotive radar applications, including two actual silicon based fully integrated radar chips. Several advanced packaging concepts and antenna systems are presented and discussed in detail. Finally measurement results of the fully integrated radar front ends are shown.

Millimeter-Wave Technology for Automotive Radar Sensors in the 77 GHz Frequency Band

In general, Micropower Impulse Radar (MIR) depends on Ultra-Wideband (UWB) transmission systems. UWB technology can supply innovative new systems and products that have an obvious value for radar and communications uses. Important applications include bridge-deck inspection systems, ground penetrating radar, mine detection, and precise distance resolution for such things as liquid level measurement. Most of these UWB inspection and measurement methods have some unique qualities, which need to be pursued. Therefore, in considering changes to Part 15 the FCC needs to take into account the unique features of UWB technology. MIR is applicable to two general types of UWB systems: radar systems and communications systems. Currently LLNL and its licensees are focusing on radar or radar type systems. LLNL is evaluating MIR for specialized communication systems. MIR is a relatively low power technology. Therefore, MIR systems seem to have a low potential for causing harmful interference to other users of the spectrum since the transmitted signal is spread over a wide bandwidth, which results in a relatively low spectral power density.

/pdf/response-to-fcc-98-208-notice-of-inquiry-in-the-matter-of-3attixctl7.pdf

Response to FCC 98-208 notice of inquiry in the matter of revision of part 15 of the commission's rules regarding ultra-wideband transmission systems

Millimeter wave (mmWave) communication has raised increasing attentions from both academia and industry due to its exceptional advantages. Compared with existing wireless communication techniques, such as WiFi and 4G, mmWave communications adopt much higher carrier frequencies and thus come with advantages including huge bandwidth, narrow beam, high transmission quality, and strong detection ability. These advantages can well address difficult situations caused by recent popular applications using wireless technologies. For example, mmWave communications can significantly alleviate the skyrocketing traffic demand of wireless communication from video streaming. Meanwhile, mmWave communications have several natural disadvantages, e.g., severe signal attenuation, easily blocked by obstacles, and small coverage, due to its short wavelengths. Hence, the major challenge is how to overcome its shortcomings while fully utilizing its advantages. In this paper, we present a taxonomy based on the layered model and give an extensive review on mmWave communications. Specially, we divide existing efforts into four categories that investigate: physical layer, medium access control (MAC) layer, network layer, and cross layer optimization, respectively. First, we present an overview of some technical details in physical layer. Second, we summarize available literature in MAC layer that pertains to protocols and scheduling schemes. Third, we make an in-depth survey of related research work in network layer, providing brain storming and methodology for enhancing the capacity and coverage of mmWave networks. Fourth, we analyze available research work related to cross layer allocation/optimization for mmWave communications. Fifth, we make a review of mmWave applications to illustrate how mmWave technology can be employed to satisfy other services. At the end of each section described above, we point out the inadequacy of existing work and identify the future work. Sixth, we present some available resources for mmWave communications, including related books about mmWave, commonly used mmWave frequencies, existing protocols based on mmWave, and experimental platforms. Finally, we have a simple summary and point out several promising future research directions.

Millimeter Wave Communication: A Comprehensive Survey

This paper describes a novel frequency-modulated continuous-wave radar concept, where methods like nonuniform sparse antenna arrays and multiple-input multiple-output techniques are used to improve the angular resolution of the proposed system. To demonstrate the practical feasibility using standard production techniques, a prototype sensor using a novel four-channel single-chip radar transceiver in combination with differential patch antenna arrays was realized on off-the-shelf RF substrate. Furthermore, to demonstrate its practical applicability, the assembled system was tested in real world measurement scenarios in conjunction with the presented efficient signal processing algorithms.

A 77-GHz FMCW MIMO Radar Based on an SiGe Single-Chip Transceiver

Planar circuits for microwaves and lightwaves

This paper describes a new radar sensor architecture comprising an array of transceiver modules. Target applications of the sensor are automotive driver assistance systems. In conjunction with a monolithic integration of each transceiver, the concept offers the possibility for a cost-effective realization of digital-beamforming radar sensors at millimeter-wave frequencies. A modulation sequence is investigated based on simultaneously transmitted frequency-modulated continuous-wave signals, which are separated by frequency multiplexing. Appropriate signal processing for the estimation of range, speed, and azimuth angle in multiple object situations is presented. Experimental results with an eight-channel radar sensor in the 76-77-GHz frequency band are presented, which demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed architecture and show the performance of the modulation sequence and signal processing.

/pdf/millimeter-wave-radar-sensor-based-on-a-transceiver-array-24yh5p7b7d.pdf

Millimeter-Wave-Radar Sensor Based on a Transceiver Array for Automotive Applications

This paper describes a compact broadband (73-80 GHz) mm-Wave front-end used for FOD detection application. The design philosophy of our system is to have several low-profile, low-cost mm-Wave sensors placed along the runway. Tests were conducted on the small airport of Aix Les Milles (south of France). High sensitivity and simultaneous objects detection capabilities were shown. Even very small objects like nuts were seen. The extension of the actual detection range is needed in order to go from 110 m (in the most favourable case) to 500 m.

Foreign Objects Debris Detection (FOD) on Airport Runways Using a Broadband 78 GHz Sensor

A novel metamaterial broadband microstrip balun design is proposed. The broadband balun consists of a pair of identical metamaterial transmission lines. In the odd mode, a virtual ground is formed between the symmetric plane. The odd mode is allowed while the even mode is rejected. No vias are required to realize the shunt inductors of the metamaterial lines, and no power divider is used. Baluns with good performance can be achieved. In this letter, two baluns are fabricated and measured. For the balun with seven units, the output amplitude difference is less than 0.7 dB, and the differential phase is 181deg plusmn 3deg from 1.6 to 3.6 GHz, while the input return loss is greater than 10 dB.

/pdf/broadband-via-free-microstrip-balun-using-metamaterial-1ik273psg2.pdf

Broadband Via-Free Microstrip Balun Using Metamaterial Transmission Lines

This letter introduces a simple ultra-wideband suspended stripline filter with a pass-band from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz and a very wide stop-band up to more than 25 GHz. The filter is realized by capacitive coupling of a quasi-lumped low-pass filter to the I/O ports. Insertion loss in the pass-band is better than 0.5 dB. The filter has a length of 13.8 mm. Excellent agreement is achieved between measured and simulated results.

/pdf/a-simple-ultra-wideband-suspended-stripline-bandpass-filter-1xm9wd8vyf.pdf

A Simple Ultra-Wideband Suspended Stripline Bandpass Filter With Very Wide Stop-Band

This paper presents the modeling and optimization of compact microwave bandpass filters whose compactness leads to complex and strong stray coupling paths, thereby making the identification of a simple and sparse coupling topology difficult and even impossible. The strong coupling coefficients needed for a broadband response can also cause an ambiguity in identifying the spatial extent of local resonances. An equivalent circuit, which is extracted directly from Maxwell's equations, is used in optimizing these filters. The filter is represented by its global resonances instead of individual resonators. The extraction of the parameters of the equivalent circuit is carried out in the physical frequency and not in the normalized frequency in order to preserve the physicality of the equivalent circuit, especially for asymmetric responses. The technique is successfully applied to the optimization of second-order suspended stripline bandpass filters with one transmission zero either below or above the passband, as well as fourth-order filters with three transmission zeros. A fourth-order filter with three transmission zeros is fabricated and measured.

/pdf/modeling-and-optimization-of-compact-microwave-bandpass-3e0or9chzv.pdf

W. Menzel

Papers

Millimeter-Wave-Radar Sensor Based on a Transceiver Array for Automotive Applications

Foreign Objects Debris Detection (FOD) on Airport Runways Using a Broadband 78 GHz Sensor

Broadband Via-Free Microstrip Balun Using Metamaterial Transmission Lines

A Simple Ultra-Wideband Suspended Stripline Bandpass Filter With Very Wide Stop-Band

Modeling and Optimization of Compact Microwave Bandpass Filters