DEVELOPMENT OF CUSTOMIZED RADAR SENSORS
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PARTNER
We work for OEMs, Tier 1 or Tier 2 automotive suppliers to design, develop and manufacture advanced driver assistance systems customized to their requirements. More than 15 million of automobiles worldwide already carry radar sensors designed by smartmicro.
ENGINEERING SERVICES AND SUPPORT
smartmicro delivers the overall system design, does the automotive product development, verification testing, end-of-line test system development and all other work tasks. We take care of A, B and C sample development as well as CAD and production line design that are mass production ready.
BUILDING ON EXISTING PLATFORMS
A sensor development project starts from an existing, mature platform design (A sample) which will be customized. Many of our radar platforms are already in production. Starting from our existing A samples reduces risk to a minimum and results in a short time to market. It also saves cost and resources for our customers.
DEVELOPING CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS
Based on existing platforms we develop highly customized sensors and solutions that address the individual needs of a project. In close collaboration with our customers, we provide development services and ensure the highest quality standards (SPICE and ASIL).
HIGHEST PERFORMANCE AT LOWEST COST
Our radar technology takes autonomous driver assistance to the next level. Already today we provide sensors with the longest range and widest field of view. In the process, cost optimization of design and manufacturing is continuously addressed together with the customer.
PROFITING FROM LONG-TERM EXPERTISE
We have over 25 years of experience in the design and development of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). With over 170 employees, mostly highly specialized engineers with 10 years or more experience, smartmicro has a long and successful track record.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
OUR REFERENCE DESIGNS
smartmicro has been working for many 1st Tier automotive suppliers, some of them being among the world’s top 10, to support their development and/or production programs. We design and develop radars according to end customer or OEM specifications. The sensors are built on the Tier 1's manufacturing line. Product support is provided as well as training for field application and production engineers.
In close cooperation with the leading semiconductor manufacturers, we create reference designs for automotive sensors and can build on several of our existing, mature platforms, that are referred to as CATegory:
- CAT1-3 | at 24GHz
- In production since 2009
- CAT4 | at 76-77GHz
- Medium-Range Radar – up to 240m (787ft) range and 2-degree angular separation with over 100-degree field of view
- For forward-looking applications like Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) or Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
- 360-degree sensor fusion possible
- Targeting EuNCAP standards
- CAT5 | at 76-81GHz
- Short-Range Radar – up to 160m (525ft) range as MRR replacement, over 140-degree field of view
- For rear corner applications like Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Change Assist (LCA(C)), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), Door Open Warning (DOW) and Exit Assist
- For front corner applications like Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA)
- Ultra-short-range mode for Parking Aid (PAID) with 5cm resolution
- For 360-degree applications like Automated Driving System (ADS), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Automated Valet Parking (AVP)
- Optional integration into head/rear lamps
- Targeting EuNCAP standards
- CAT6 | at 76-81GHz
- Ultra-Short-Range Radar – up to 140° field of view
- For Door/Trunk/Frunk applications like Gesture & Obstacle Detection
- XS size
- Lowest cost
- CAT7 | at 60-64GHz
- In-Cabin Radar – covering the full interior with one sensor
- For interior applications like Child Presence Detection (CPD), Intrusion Detection, Seat Belt Reminder (SBR), Gesture & Motion Detection
- Invisible mounting behind the ceiling
- Low power consumption
- Targeting EuNCAP standards
- CAT8 | at 76-81GHz
- Imaging radar with true resolution in 2 axes (azimuth and elevation)
- Medium- and Long-Range Radar - up to 300m (984ft) range and 1-degree angular separation, with 120-degree field of view
- For forward-looking applications like Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) or Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
- 360-degree sensor fusion possible
- Targeting EuNCAP standards
IN-CABIN AUTOMOTIVE RADAR
Child Presence Detection
The smartmicro-designed interior radar was developed to increase the safety of the most vulnerable car passengers – small children. Featuring Child Presence Detection, the 60GHz sensor detects movement such as the heartbeat and breathing of a child inside a vehicle and triggers an alarm. Compliant to Euro NCAP.
Unlike the common occupancy sensor mats integrated into each of the car seats, a single smartmicro-designed sensor can detect both - presence and movement - in the entire vehicle cabin. Thanks to the sensor's wide field of detection, infants are detected even if located in the vehicle’s footwells or hidden under a blanket.
THE LEVELS OF AUTONOMOUS DRIVING
APPLICATIONS SUPPORTED BY SMARTMICRO
LEVEL 0-2+
FRONT APPLICATIONS
• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
LEVEL 0-2+
SIDE / REAR APPLICATIONS
• Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
• Lane Change Assist (LCA)
• Front / Rear Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA / RCTA)
• Rear Collision Warning (RCW)
• Door Open Warning (DOW) / Exist Assist
• Parking Aid (PAID)
LEVEL 3-5+
360-DEGREE APPLICATIONS
• Automated Driving System (ADS)
• Traffic Jam Assist (TJA)
• Automated Valet Parking (AVP)
THE BEST PARTNER FOR RADAR DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN KNOW-HOW
We are typically responsible for the A, B and in some cases C sample development and for mechanical and end-of-line test design. In all cases, smartmicro does the overall system design, development, sample manufacturing and verification testing including:
- Antenna system, RF hardware, transmit waveform
- Complete hardware, digital and RF
- Signal processing software
- Object tracking software and function algorithm (warning, distance control etc.)
- Vehicle data, other sensor data and radar data fusion algorithms
Cost optimization during design and manufacturing is continuously addressed in close cooperation with the customer.
TRACK RECORD
Millions of vehicles worldwide carry radar sensors designed by smartmicro. smartmicro has invented the Lane Change Assist (LCA) radar in partnership with Audi and started production in 2006 with a production partner. The patented technology was later enhanced by introducing additional functions like Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Rear Cross Traffic Assist (RCTA) and Rear Collision Warning (RCW).
Longer range Forward Collision Warning (FCW) sensors went in production in 2008. Today, 76-81GHz sensors are developed and mass-produced for all types of corner radar applications, with up to 5GHz bandwidth and 130m range, as well as for Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and other functions in the 6th generation. Customers like Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, Mazda, Porsche, PSA and Hyundai/Kia use smartmicro technology.
BACKGROUND
Prof. Dr. Hermann Rohling and Dr. Ralph Mende worked at the Technical University of Braunschweig on automotive radar since 1993 and founded smartmicro in 1997.
We have over 25 years of experience in the design and development of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
OUR FACILITIES
Design, Development and Testing
On the smartmicro premises spacious facilities are available for the automotive frequency range 76-81GHz, among those are:
- Design tools
For antennas, RF design, digital design, mechanical CAD - Prototype manufacturing
High precision automated SMT, mechanical prototyping equipment - Lab test equipment
Antenna test, RF test, digital test, target simulators, 3D antenna measurement, combined with temperature/humidity test - Anechoic chambers
Five for development, six for production
- Environmental test equipment
Thermo/hydro test chambers - Vehicle test equipment
Special on-vehicle radar test stands, radar test car fleet - Development and test tools
CAN/Ethernet data logger, target simulators, special test site - Automated radar performance benchmark testing
- Fully automated software integration tests / HIL test stands
- Testing FIRST framework
Automated test of software
Automated test of configurations – all modes, waveforms, frequency bands of one sensor type
Automated test of all communication interfaces, power
Automated acceptance testing against functional specifications
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND QUALITY CONTROL
smartmicro has established an ISO9001 quality control system and executes ISO26262 (ASIL - functional safety) compliant development processes and products. The smartmicro Quality Assurance Team has developed software a set of rules for the design process / software design considering Automotive SPICE process definitions. smartmicro holds all software under strict version control and operates an issue tracking tool.
PRODUCTION AND END-OF-LINE TESTING
smartmicro runs an in-house production line comprising Surface Mount Technology (SMT), sensor assembly and multiple fully automated radar sensor end-of-line test robotic systems.
