NXP Semiconductors has introduced its new S16R32 third-generation imaging radar processor, manufactured using 47nm FinFET technology. This processor delivers up to two times the performance of its predecessor while improving system cost and energy efficiency. The integration of NXP's millimeter-wave radar transceiver, power management, and in-vehicle networking solutions enables the S32R47 family to achieve ASIL B (D) functional safety under ISO 26262, paving the way for the automotive industry's transition to higher levels of autonomous driving.
“Compared to current production solutions, the S32R47 can efficiently process three times or more antenna channels in real time,” said Meindert van den Beld, senior vice president and general manager of the Radar and ADAS business unit at NXP Semiconductors. “This enables improved imaging radar resolution, sensitivity, and dynamic range for demanding autonomous driving applications while meeting the stringent power consumption and system cost targets set by OEMs for mass production.”
Imaging radar uses richer point cloud data to model the environment in greater detail, enabling assisted and autonomous driving in challenging environments such as complex urban scenes.
The S32R47 integrates a high-performance multi-core radar processing system, providing denser point cloud data and enhanced algorithmic capabilities to drive the development of next-generation ADAS systems. The S32R47 improves object distinguishability, detection reliability, and classification accuracy, enabling more accurate identification of vulnerable road users and lost objects.
NXP's third-generation imaging radar solution
• Building on the expertise and proven technology of the previous two generations, the new solution doubles radar microprocessor (MPU) processing performance and reduces chip size by 38%. Support for AI/ML enables enhanced Direction of Arrival (DoA) processing and object classification.
• Next-generation imaging radar solutions optimize the bill of material (BOM), enhance antenna channels and expand processing capabilities, and create a new imaging radar.
• NXP's solution effectively addresses system integration challenges by reducing the number of antenna channels by up to 89% while achieving the same or better performance, while significantly reducing cost, size and power consumption.
