Research Overview

Automotive perception sensors based on cameras, LiDAR, ultrasonics, and conventional 2D radars have come far in their detection, range, resolution, and processing capabilities but still have inherent limitations. High deployment costs and the inability to detect in adverse weather conditions, see through solid objects, or meet other safety requirements mean that they are unable to support the transition from advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to highly of fully autonomous driving.

Frost & Sullivan identifies the potential performance, cost, and safety benefits achieved with 4D imaging radar technology, which has transitioned from multiple chipset, multiple sensor to single-chip solutions that can simultaneously detect in short, medium, and long ranges. They have become holistic solutions for in-vehicle sensing, outside-the-vehicle sensing, and safety applications.

4D imaging radar technology uses echolocation and time-of flight measurements to locate static and dynamic objects in an environment. They are capable of a range of 300 meters and beyond and can also be used for short- and medium-range detection. The 4th dimension (azimuth angle of elevation) combined with time-bound point cloud data improves the accuracy of imaging radars to provide high-resolution sensing with a wide field of view.