CIE Components in Electronics
Freescale Semiconductor has launched a comprehensive system-level solution for automotive radar based advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The new Qorivva MPC577xK microcontroller (MCU) and MRD2001 77 GHz radar transceiver chipset provide the embedded technology necessary for affordable radar based ADAS solutions with fewer components, removing up to four additional major printed circuit board (PCB) components and reducing system-level cost, PCB space and software complexity, in a move which could help to increase this technology’s adoption in mainstream vehicles.
The Qorivva MPC577xK MCU, built on Power Architecture technology, provides what is believed to be the highest level of digital and analogue integration in a single-chip solution for radar applications, removing up to four additional major printed circuit board (PCB) components and reducing system-level cost, PCB space and software complexity. The MCU also provides high performance for intense computational tasks with key integrated digital accelerators and features a state-of-the-art signal processing toolbox that contains all of the hardware modules required for processing sampled signals from short-, medium- and long-range radar applications.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently proposed a number of changes to its five-star safety program. These proposals signal that automakers may soon be required to do more than protect passengers during a crash – they may need to prevent crashes altogether. Many automakers are working to meet this new standard by the year 2016 and are currently testing solutions that will allow them to achieve the highest level of safety while also providing the advanced technology and convenience features consumers expect. Performance data from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) suggests that safety systems, such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), can reduce accidents by up to 27% and can lead to a considerable reduction in road injuries. Euro NCAP plans to incorporate the AEB assessment for cars sold in Europe into its five star rating scheme beginning 2014.
Using Freescale’s Qorivva MPC577xK MCU and MRD2001 77 GHz radar transceiver chipset, automakers can implement long-range and mid-range frontal radar for adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking systems, as well as manage blind spot and side-impact detection – all through a single, scalable, multi-channel solution.
Designers can pair the radar transceiver chipset with the Qorivva MCU to achieve a total system solution for both low-end and high-end radar modules. By utilizing a single, scalable solution, automakers can avoid purchasing and reconfiguring various solutions across vehicle models, saving time and material costs.
“ADAS solutions continue to proliferate and are no longer exclusive to high-end luxury vehicles. Automakers are now looking to implement these sophisticated safety features across their entire lineups and, to do so, they need more integrated, cost-optimized solutions,” said Ian Riches, Director – Global Automotive Practice, Strategy Analytics. “Freescale’s radar solution offers automakers virtually everything they need for scalable ADAS applications, as no other semiconductor or components are needed to complete the system. This will enable consumers to benefit from safer, more advanced and reliable vehicles beyond the luxury market.”
