77 GHz long range radar systems status, ongoing developments and future challenges

Long range radar (LRR) systems have made their way to middle class cars today, however due to limited sensor performance, almost only comfort functions have been realized yet. The most critical issue in most of today´s LRRs is their lack in angular resolution and angular measurement quality. This topic is addressed by sensor manufacturers with the re-introduction of mechanical beam steering and research on phased array radar using digital beam forming. Data fusion will play an important role in next generation driver assistance functions so LRR design and interfaces must be prepared to provide raw data interfaces and non-application specific sensor designs