By the end of 2016, more than half of all new automotive 77GHz radar systems worldwide will be equipped with chips from Munich-based Infineon Technologies AG, meaning that about one in 15 new cars will use a driver assistance system using its 77GHz radar chips, says the firm.
Infineon's market leadership in the rapidly growing market for radar chips for driver assistance systems was recently confirmed by market research firm IHS Technology. While Infineon has sold a total of 20 million radar chips in the past few years, the firm aims to ship a further 30 million chips for driver assistance systems next year alone, hence doubling its radar chip sales annually for five years consecutively.
"Of the world's five largest manufacturers of radar systems, four already rely on 77GHz radar chips from Infineon," says Ralf Bornefeld, VP & general manager, Sense & Control at Infineon. "We make driving safety the standard in mid-sized and small vehicles," he adds. "Our sensor chips place the vehicle inside the kind of safety cocoon that is essential for autonomous driving."
In the autonomous vehicle (available from about 2020) at least ten radar systems may be installed. Together with camera, laser and ultrasonic systems, they form a safety cocoon around the vehicle and are the key technology for autonomous driving.
Depending on a vehicle's category and how it's equipped, it will have between one and three radar systems. Soon up to five will be offered, together ensuring an 'all-around view' that makes new functions like the intersection assistant and parking assistant possible. In the autonomous vehicle (which the automobile industry expects to be available from around 2020) at least ten radar systems may be installed. Together with camera, laser and ultrasonic systems, they form a safety cocoon around the vehicle and comprise the key technology for autonomous driving.
"With Infineon as a partner, manufacturers of radar systems have an experienced technology leader at their side," says Bornefeld. "Whether they need a radar chip with silicon germanium [SiGe] technology or a highly integrated CMOS solution, our advantage is our product and system expertise at 77GHz and 24GHz, in silicon-germanium and CMOS."
