Terahertz Technology: millimeter wave radio frequency

Showing posts with label millimeter wave radio frequency. Show all posts

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Testing Automotive Radar Brings mm-Wave Challenges

My Note: Thanks to Virginia Diodes for sharing this article on their facebook page.

Automotive radar systems at 77 GHz are bringing a great deal of safety functions to lower-costing vehicles, but their manufacturers and suppliers are in need of cost-effective measurement solutions.

Oct. 15, 2013 Jack Browne

http://mwrf.com/test-amp-measurement-analyzers/testing-automotive-radar-brings-mm-wave-challenges?page=1

Automotive applications are requiring increased use of RF/microwave frequency bands, from low RF signals through millimeter-wave frequencies at 77 GHz. As these high-frequency signals become more integral parts of the worldwide driving experience, effective test solutions become more critical for designers developing new automotive RF/microwave circuits, as well as production facilities seeking efficient methods for verifying the performance of these added circuits. While lower-frequency testers are in abundance, and automotive applications employ a wide range of wireless frequencies—including remote keyless entry (RKE) systems at 433 and 868 MHz—a growing concern in automotive markets is for the accurate and cost-effective testing of 77-GHz automotive radar systems. This interest stems from the fact that historically, measurement equipment at such high frequencies has neither been commonplace nor cost-effective.
A number of different automotive radar-based safety applications make use of frequencies from 76 to 77 GHz, for adaptive cruise control (ACC), blind-spot detection (BSD), emergency braking, forward collision warning (FCW), and rear collision protection (RCP). For example, in a collision warning system, an automotive radar sensor can detect and track objects within the range of the transmitted and returned radar signals, automatically adjusting a vehicle’s speed and distance in accordance with the detected targets. Different systems can provide a warning of a potential collision ahead and also initiate procedures leading to emergency braking as required.
This millimeter-wave frequency band is not the only frequency range currently in use for automotive radar systems. A “temporary” frequency band has also been established at 24 GHz for short-term automotive electronics systems. Unfortunately, this band is already occupied by other electronic devices, including microwave radios, which add to the congestion faced by radar systems within this band (and with radar signals becoming interference for the existing microwave radio devices). The band has been deemed as “temporary” for such applications as automotive radar because it will be closed to those devices when the signal levels become too dense at 24 GHz.
This band was made available in Europe to European Union (EU) members by means of European Commission Decision 2005/50/EC. Said regulation also sets requirements for automatic deactivation devices for 24-GHz when too close to existing systems (such as radio astronomy sites), and also sets guidelines for transition to a more permanent frequency band. In Europe, the “permanent” band for automotive radar service has been allocated at 79 GHz, per European Commission Decision 2004/545/EC, which requires that this band to be made available in all EU member states.
The band from 76 to 77 GHz had been allocated to the Radio Astronomy Service (RAS) in the US, but the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made amendments to sections of its allocations and regulations, allowing automotive radar system in that frequency band. The modifications also impacted fixed radar applications in the 76-to-77-GHz band at airport locations, using fixed radar systems to detect foreign object debris (FOD) on runways and monitor aircraft traffic as well as service vehicles on taxiways and other airport vehicle service areas that have no public access. In Europe, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI; www.etsi.org) sets similar guidelines for radar systems at 24 and 77 GHz.
Both system and components suppliers have supported the different automotive frequency bands. TRW Automotive, for example, has developed automotive radar system solutions at 24 GHz (model AC100) for ACC and FCW applications as well as at 77 GHz (model AC3). Numerous semiconductor suppliers have enjoyed business in supplying transceiver solutions for 77-GHz automotive radar systems, including Texas Instruments with its model MRD2001 automotive radar chip set. Devices in the chip set are housed in low-loss packaging (usable through 100 GHz) which simplifies assembly for automotive manufacturers and is scalable to 4 transmit channels and 12 receive channels so that a single radar system can provide radar beams across a wide field of view for near-field, mid-field, and far-field applications.
Freescale Semiconductor has used its silicon-germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS semiconductor process as the basis for its Xtrinsic 77-GHz automotive radar semiconductor devices. And TriQuint Semiconductor supports the long- and medium-range automotive radar market with a wide portfolio of 77 GHz MMICs for front-end applications such as ACC and FCW systems. Additional semiconductor and component suppliers include Altera, Analog Devices, Fujitsu, Infineon, Millitech, NXP Semiconductors, and Skyworks Solutions.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Focus on L-3 Security & Detection Systems

My Note: I mentioned that ThruVision, was a possible candidate for the supplier of passive THz scanning devices to the NYPD, but that's just supposition. I've noticed a lot of searching on my blog related to L-3, (which supplies the current active millimeter wave radio frequency, devices), and thought I would put today's focus on their product line.

With more than 50,000 systems deployed and supported around the globe, L-3 Security & Detection Systems (SDS) is a leading supplier of security screening solutions. For more than 30 years, L-3 SDS has developed and manufactured cutting-edge products using advanced technologies that include 3-D computed tomography; automated, conventional and high-energy X-ray; active millimeter wave imaging; metal detection; and energetic trace explosives detection.

L-3 SDS solutions are used by the aviation and transportation industries, regulatory and customs authorities, government and law enforcement agencies, and commercial and other secure facilities. Applications include the screening of people, vehicles, baggage, cargo and packages for explosives, firearms, drugs, contraband and intellectual property.

Checkpoint Security

L-3's comprehensive family of advanced screening solutions enhance the security and efficiency of checkpoints at airports and other transportation centers, courthouses, correctional institutions, embassies and other highthreat facilities, including commercial facilities. Whether you need to guard against threats and contraband or are concerned with protecting intellectual property, we have an offering for every entry point of your facility - from the lobby to the loading dock to the mailroom.

Designed to detect explosives, firearms, drugs and other contraband, our checkpoint screening products incorporate a variety of proven technologies such as automated, conventional, and X-ray; safe active millimeter wave; metal detection; and, energetic materials detection for trace explosives.

Checked Baggage Screening

Freestanding, in-line and multilevel automated explosives detection systems (EDS) for screening checked baggage and parcels feature L-3's proprietary CT and advanced technology (AT) and meet the most demanding explosives detection performance, speed and reliability standards in the industry.

From major international hubs to regional passenger terminals, airports around the globe rely on L-3 EDS to enhance security and meet increasingly demanding throughput, infrastructure and cost requirements.

Cargo Solutions

Recognizing diverse cargo inspection needs, L-3's cargo solutions offer customs and security officers a portfolio of configurable high-energy X-ray screening platforms and unparalleled integration and support services that keep commerce flowing smoothly - everywhere cargo travels. L-3 delivers the industry's most advanced cargo imaging and detection capability - ClearView^TM Imaging - generating cargo views with superior penetration and dynamic range. Our new ClearView^TM Workstation offers configurable image enhancement tools that help operators maximize the accuracy and efficiency of their risk assessments.

Air Cargo Screening

For more than a decade, L-3 has been providing airports and shippers with a line of conventional X-ray inspection systems for break-bulk, skids, pallets and ULDs. L-3 has more than 10 X-ray systems qualified by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for air cargo screening of break-bulk freight and skids. L-3's air cargo deployment of a multi-sensor scanner to inspect large air cargo pallets for Dutch Customs at Schiphol International Airport is one of the most advanced cargo systems in the world. Our equipment screens cargo ranging from containers of fruits and vegetables to electronics, and is currently in operation at shipping, forwarding and certified cargo screening facilities (CCSF).