News Article
Bosch to use radar chip from Infineon
Infineon Technologies announced that Robert Bosch will be employing a chip from Infineon in its next generation of automotive radar systems.
An Infineon chip from the company’s RASIC (Radar System IC) product family is being used in Bosch’s new LRR3 radar sensor system (third generation long range radar). The LRR3 has been developed for adaptive cruise control (ACC), at ranges up to 250 metres, and predictive radar based safety functions such as predictive brake assist systems, collision warning features and automatic emergency braking. As Infineon produces the radar chip using silicon germanium (SiGe) technology, it enables smaller and more cost effective radar systems than were possible with components based on the more expensive gallium-arsenide (GaAs) technology.
“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,” commented 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. Bosch is also looking to bring the radar sensor and its functions into the midrange and compact class, where it could soon be part of a car’s standard equipment.”
Market researchers at US market research firm Strategy Analytics expect that by 2011, of the three million vehicles with remote warning systems, some 2.3 million will make use of radar systems. By 2014, seven percent of all new cars could be equipped with a remote warning system, predominantly in Europe and Japan.
Volume manufacture of the radar chip at Infineon is set to commence at the end of 2008, with production start up at Bosch planned for early 2009.
The radar chips from the RASIC family were developed and qualified specially for use in cars. Bosch and Infineon have achieved full automotive qualification for the LRR3 radar system too. It meets the exacting quality requirements of the automotive industry.
“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,” commented 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. Bosch is also looking to bring the radar sensor and its functions into the midrange and compact class, where it could soon be part of a car’s standard equipment.”
Market researchers at US market research firm Strategy Analytics expect that by 2011, of the three million vehicles with remote warning systems, some 2.3 million will make use of radar systems. By 2014, seven percent of all new cars could be equipped with a remote warning system, predominantly in Europe and Japan.
Volume manufacture of the radar chip at Infineon is set to commence at the end of 2008, with production start up at Bosch planned for early 2009.
The radar chips from the RASIC family were developed and qualified specially for use in cars. Bosch and Infineon have achieved full automotive qualification for the LRR3 radar system too. It meets the exacting quality requirements of the automotive industry.
