Low Cost Implementation of an ACC Automotive Radar

This paper will identify some of the key measurement requirements demanded of an automotive radar system. It will then explore the challenges required to make such a precision measuring device at a cost that can be afforded by the mass automotive market. The challenges that will be touched on to produce such a low cost adaptive cruise control (ACC) radar will include: radar modulation techniques, microwave oscillator configuration, and mechanical antenna structures. Having developed such a radar TRW is now applying this radar as a key component in its range of active safety products. A summary of the range of safety products that can be implemented with such radar technology is identified