Bosch's new mid-range automotive radar sensor for commercial vehicle safety assistance systems

November 8 - According to EU regulations, starting from November 2013, most newly registered heavy-duty commercial vehicles with a gross weight exceeding 3.5 tons will be equipped with AEBS and LDWS. These assistive systems will assist the driver in emergency braking, warn the driver when the vehicle is off the road, and help commercial vehicle drivers reach their destination safely. Bosch's new mid-range automotive radar sensors detect the 77Ghz band and therefore provide accurate information on the road ahead. "This high-efficiency, economical radar sensor for commercial vehicles provides an ideal basis for enhancing the convenience of driving functions such as emergency braking systems and adaptive cruise control systems," said Gerhard Steiger, president of Bosch Chassis Systems Controls. Bosch offers sensors for light and heavy trucks that can be adapted to 12-volt and 24-volt voltage systems. The new mid-range automotive radar sensors are expected to be mass-produced in 2013.

77Ghz radar sensor: powerful, compact design

Compared with the traditional 24Ghz radar sensors, the 77Ghz radar sensor is more powerful, its target recognition rate is three times that of the 24Ghz radar sensor, and the accuracy of speed measurement and ranging is improved by three to five times. The new sensor design is more compact and uses a 77-GHz band that is permanently allocated to automotive radar assemblies worldwide. "The new mid-range radar sensor is particularly suitable for vehicle platforms for the global automotive market," explains Steiger. In addition, the measurement data returned by the sensor can help the driver understand the distance to the preceding vehicle.

The new sensor's high-frequency circuit uses silicon germanium semiconductor technology. The highly integrated circuit and simple mechanical design make the sensor smaller and lighter, so that it can be concealedly installed in the vehicle bumper or water tank. The new sensors are connected to the automotive electronics system via CAN and Flexray interfaces. Compared with traditional 24Ghz radar sensors, the new sensors not only have a smaller appearance, but also are more economical.

Bosch's radar sensors designed for light commercial vehicles with a voltage system of 12 volts can also be installed in the rear of the vehicle. The sensor located at the tail can detect the blind spot of the visual field and warn the driver in advance when there is a high speed approaching vehicle behind. When reversing the vehicle, the device can improve the limited visual field, detect nearby vehicles, and make it easy to rewind.