In the realm of technological innovation, few advancements have been as transformative as the development of radar technology. From its initial military applications to today's intricate sensors enhancing our daily lives, radar has evolved into a dynamic tool with a vast range of uses. Founded in 2007, indie Semiconductor has been a trailblazing player in the semiconductor industry for more than a decade and is taking radar technology to new heights with their new 120 GHz radar transceiver solutions. Their comprehensive line of 120 GHz radar transceiver solutions enables next-generation functionality in applications such as vital sign detection for vehicle occupants, home monitoring systems, and much more.

The Significance of indie Semiconductor’s 120 GHz Radar Offerings

The performance of a radar system is deeply influenced by its operating frequency. Higher frequencies play a pivotal role in achieving finer resolution and enhanced accuracy, rendering them particularly suitable for applications necessitating precise object detection. Notably, the 120 GHz frequency stands out due to the following exceptional attributes:

• Millimeter-Wave Advantage: Residing within the millimeter-wave spectrum, the 120 GHz radar boasts unparalleled resolution capabilities, enabling the detection of even minuscule objects with remarkable precision. This characteristic proves indispensable for critical applications such as automotive safety, industrial automation, and the development of smart infrastructure. The radar's ability to discern intricate details enables safer roads, more efficient factories, and smarter urban planning.
• Reduced Interference: A remarkable feature of the 120 GHz frequency range is its resilience against interference when compared to lower frequency bands. This quality significantly bolsters signal integrity and reliability, making it an optimal choice for deployment in urban environments. The challenges posed by wireless congestion are effectively mitigated, further enhancing the radar's performance and usefulness in densely populated areas.

TRA_120_002 IQ Transceiver

indie Semiconductor’s TRA_120_002 IQ Transceiver serves as the radar front end (RFE) for the 122-GHz ISM band with antennas on-chip. The TRA_120_002 is an all-inclusive solution equipped with essential components such as a low-noise amplifier (LNA), quadrature mixers, a poly-phase filter, voltage-controlled oscillator, divide-by-32 outputs, and both transmit and receive antennas.

The primary application for the TRA_120_002 is within short-range radar systems, effectively covering distances of up to approximately 10 meters. Its range can be increased and augmented through the integration of dielectric lenses. The RFE exhibits versatile operational modes, accommodating both frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) and continuous wave (CW) modes. While the chip's designated usage aligns with the ISM band spanning 122 GHz to 123 GHz, there exists the potential to expand the bandwidth to encompass the complete tuning range of 7 GHz.

TRA_120_045 Wide Band Transceiver

Functioning within the expansive range of 113.9 GHz to 134.1 GHz, the TRA_120_045 exhibits an impressively wide bandwidth, facilitating measurements characterized by a resolution finer than 1 mm. Remarkably, despite these exceptional specifications of the MMIC, its physical footprint remains compact at just 5 x 5 mm², packaged in a standard QFN32 package. The transceiver's on-chip RX and TX channel antennas are ingeniously designed as dipoles, further enhancing its integration. This highly cohesive architecture is responsible for its diminutive form factor and noteworthy reduction in signal path losses.

The TRA_120_045 is a comprehensive solution for measuring speed and distance. As for its operational range, the TRA_120_045 radar chip encompasses a general working distance of up to 5 meters. However, when employed alongside dielectric lenses, this range can be extended significantly, potentially reaching up to 100 meters based on the specific application.

TRX_120_067 IQ Transceiver

Tailored for the 122 GHz ISM band, the TRX_120_067 IQ Transceiver is an RFE with antennas in package. Its components encompass an LNA, quadrature mixers, a poly-phase filter, a voltage-controlled oscillator, divide-by-32 outputs, and both transmit and receive antennas. The RF signal originating from the oscillator follows a path to the RX section via buffer circuits. Here, the LNA elevates the RX signal's amplitude, and a pair of mixers, synchronized with a quadrature LO signal, execute its conversion to baseband. The 120 GHz VCO offers four distinct analog tuning inputs, each featuring its own unique tuning range and slope. By amalgamating these tuning inputs, a wide frequency tuning range can be attained. These analog tuning inputs, in conjunction with an integrated frequency divider and an external fractional-N PLL, serve adeptly in FMCW radar applications. When a constant oscillator frequency is employed, the circuit seamlessly transitions to CW mode. Furthermore, diverse modulation techniques become viable through the adept utilization of the analog tuning inputs.

The main field of application for the TRX_120_067 pertains to short-range radar systems, encompassing distances of approximately 10 meters. Through the integration of dielectric lenses or reflectors, a substantial expansion of the operational range becomes achievable. The RFE boasts adaptability for both FMCW mode and CW mode. Despite its intended application within the 122 GHz - 123 GHz ISM band, there exists the potential to broaden the bandwidth to the complete 6 GHz tuning range.

TRX_120_089 and TR2_120_017 120 GHz Solutions

Two more offerings that make up indie’s 120 GHz radar solutions include the TRX_120_089 and TR2_120_017. Operating in the 118.5 - 125 GHz range, both of these products have a wide bandwidth of up to 6.5 GHz. Like other 120 GHz solutions from indie, the TRX_120_089 and TR2_120_017 are ideal solutions for short-range radar systems requiring finer resolution, enhanced accuracy, and precision detection capabilities.

indie Semiconductor’s SiRad Easy® r4 Evaluation Kit

Built upon the foundation of the esteemed SiRad Easy®, the SiRad Easy r4® is the ultimate solution for evaluating indie’s cutting-edge line of 120 GHz offerings. The SiRad Easy r4 has enhanced processor capabilities and introduces fresh methods of connectivity within a compact form factor. When paired with the accompanying software, it furnishes an operational radar system that extends far beyond the capacities of a standard test board. Unlock a comprehensive suite of functions, empowering you with an unparalleled evaluation experience.

24 GHz Radar Solutions from indie Semiconductor

While indie Semiconductor is paving the way with the industry’s first volume production-ready 120 GHz radar transceivers, their portfolio spans much further into other key frequencies. For example, their LNA_024_005 and TRX_024_046, 24 GHz radar solutions are tailored to meet other precise application requirements.

TRX_024_046 24 GHz Radar Transceiver

The TRX_024_046 is a compact, analog RFE for the 24 - 24.25 GHz ISM band, succeeding TRX_024_006. It enhances ESD stability to 2000 V (Class 2) while retaining crucial specifications. Operating in CW and FMCW modes, it excels in short-range devices (SRD) within 20 meters, extendable to 200 meters with patch antennas or combined antennas and lenses. With a 2 GHz bandwidth, it's suitable for (tank-) level probing radars. The TRX_024_046 features dual amplification levels, selectable via control pins. An extra output provides a 1:32 frequency reference of the internal VCO, optimizing for cost-efficient components and FR4 PCB materials. The transmission enabling pin in the TX branch minimizes power consumption in low-duty cycles, achieving rapid ramp up times as short as 100 μs.

Sensing the Future with 120 GHz Radar Offerings from indie Semiconductor

emergence of 120 GHz radar technology marks a pivotal advancement that has revolutionized precision sensing and detection across diverse industries. indie Semiconductor's unwavering commitment to unlocking this technology's potential has yielded a remarkable array of radar solutions, fundamentally altering our notions of safety, automation, and connectivity. As these radar solutions persistently evolve, their integration into a wide spectrum of applications continues to expand, promising innovation at every turn. With indie Semiconductor leading the charge, the horizon of radar technology appears exhilaratingly promising.

learn more about matching your design to the optimal 120 GHz radar solution from indie Semiconductor, our team of knowledgeable Applications Engineers are available to provide you with comprehensive information and expert guidance. Your journey into the future of radar technology awaits. Contact Symmetry Electronics for more information on matching your design with an optimal radar solution.