Hall 8, Stand F20, IAA Motor Show -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. is highlighting how its next generation radar technology – the AC1000 – is delivering its most advanced set of functions to date, while supporting vehicle manufacturers in achieving five star New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) ratings.
TRW is working closely with a major European vehicle manufacturer to develop the AC1000 and anticipates that the technology will be ready for production in 2015.
Sascha Heinrichs-Bartscher, chief engineer, core development for Driver Assist Systems Engineering at TRW commented: "Our AC1000 represents an important step forward in TRW's radar development and we expect the sensor to become one of the key building blocks to enable more sophisticated safety features, as well as support semi-automated driving functionality."
"With 360 degree sensing capabilities and the option of dual mode functionality that covers both low speed applications and high speed applications in one unit, automatically switching between the two modes depending on vehicle speed, it can be used for a range of safety and convenience functions including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot detection, lane change assist, cross traffic alert and more."
The AC1000 uses the 77GHz automotive radar band and is offered as two variants – one for front- facing applications and the other for side- and rear- sensing applications. The system utilizes the most advanced silicon germanium technology with multi-channel transmitter and receiver chips to deliver high performance sensing and signal processing capability. The technology allows a number of complex modules to be embedded on one chip, helping to enhance performance and minimize costs.
Furthermore, the radar integrates the latest 'Digital Beam Forming' technology which allows multiple beams to be controlled simultaneously and therefore adapted according to the application which is relevant at the time. This can allow for an improved dynamic range as well as faster control of amplitude and phase. An additional benefit of the AC1000 is its unique modulation scheme which enables a wider field of view while maintaining a long range – making the technology relevant for a broad range of applications.
Heinrichs-Bartscher concluded: "TRW has been in production with forward looking radar units for more than a decade and has taken its vast experience in this area to design a radar sensor which will be one of the most advanced and also affordable radars on the market. We believe it should be the sensor of choice due its excellent performance and its ability to assist our customers in achieving maximum NCAP points."
About TRW
With 2012 sales of $16.4 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 25 countries and employs approximately 65,000 people worldwide. TRW Automotive products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services. All references to "TRW Automotive", "TRW" or the "Company" in this press release refer to TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. TRW Automotive news is available on the internet at trw.com.
Source: http://trw.com/