NXP Semiconductors has extended its innovative automotive radar one-chip family with the introduction of SAF86xx. This advanced System-on-Chip (SoC) integrates a high-performance radar transceiver, a multi-core radar processor, and a MACsec hardware engine for secure data communication over Automotive Ethernet.
This one-chip radar solution is a vital component for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving, offering capabilities such as 360-degree sensor fusion, enhanced sensor resolution, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based object classification. NXP’s full system solution supports software-defined radar, allowing Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to optimize next-generation ADAS architectures for software-defined vehicles.
One of the key features of SAF86xx is its capacity to stream rich low-level radar sensor data at up to 1 Gbit/s. This facilitates a smooth transition for carmakers towards advanced software-defined vehicles. The common architecture shared with the previously introduced SAF85xx leverages 28 nm RFCMOS performance, enhancing radar sensor capabilities compared to earlier generations. The chip supports Tier-1 suppliers in building more compact and power-efficient radar sensors, providing extended detection ranges beyond 300 meters and improved detection of small objects and vulnerable road users.
Leading automotive electronics supplier HELLA plans to leverage NXP’s SoC family as the foundation for its 7th generation radar portfolio, covering front, rear, corner, and side radar applications. HELLA's Vice President of Radar Program Management, Dr Dietmar Stapel, emphasized the successful collaboration with NXP, recognizing it as the right decision for advancing radar technology over the past decade.
The SAF86xx supports safety functions such as emergency braking and blind-spot detection, along with advanced ADAS and autonomous driving applications. NXP aims to enable OEMs to introduce new software-defined radar features through Over-the-Air (OTA) updates during a vehicle's lifespan.
Steffen Spannagel, SVP and GM of ADAS at NXP Semiconductors, stated, “Using our new SAF86xx radar one-chip family, OEMs can quickly and easily migrate their current radar platforms to new software-defined vehicle architectures.” The comprehensive SAF8xxx family, including SAF86xx and SAF85xx, can be tailored for individual OEM use cases, supporting various sensor outputs and addressing the evolving needs of the automotive industry.
The SAF86xx radar SoC family is currently in the sampling phase for alpha customers.
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