A new generation of Waveguide imaging radar
Gapwaves presented at the EuMW 2024 in Paris a new generation of waveguide antenna for imaging radars. This innovative waveguide antenna is designed with a very high number of channels within a small and compact form factor.
With 48 transmitters and 48 receivers, the antenna offers 96 channels, providing superior performance compared to existing radar antennas on a small area. Its compact size—measuring just 120 x 105 x 3.25 mm—combined with full-band coverage of 76-81 GHz, makes it a unique solution for high-resolution radar applications. It has been designed for Sensrad’s 4D imaging radar, the Hugin D1.
At the Automotive Forum at the EuMW 2024, Abolfazl Haddadi discusses the trends, challenges, and opportunities based on upcoming waveguide imaging radars products.
In recent years, waveguide antennas have evolved from a specialized high-end solution to a mass volume cost-effective one. Supported by the migration to higher frequencies and the need of increasingly capable sensors, waveguides have widely replaced well established technologies as the prime choice for modern consumer radars, including automotive ones [1]. Most importantly, waveguide antennas have been not only successful in high-performance segments, such as premium imaging radars [2], but even more so in cost-sensitive ones, such as corner radars [3].
However, limitations in manufacturing and flexibility remain obstacles to a wider adoption this technology, especially considering today’s broad panorama of radar systems. Gapwaves’ latest generation of Multi-Layer Waveguide (MLW) redefines the technology, offering significant benefits and lower barrier to access for a range of applications [4]. Most importantly, by relying on metal sheet manufacturing, MLW overcomes the issues of injection moulded waveguides, especially when it comes to manufacturing limitations and the cumbersome and expensive tooling.
Today’s imaging radar segment is undergoing a very dynamic expansion phase, with several players racing for increasingly powerful solutions with limited yet rapidly growing volumes. MLW is thus a key enabler for waveguide solutions due to the very rapid manufacturing and cost effectiveness at all volumes [5]. Additionally, the complexities from the growing number of channels and dimensions push well beyond the capabilities of normal waveguide solutions. With a formfactor below 1mm in thickness and exceptional maximum apertures, MLW is the only feasible waveguide solution for multilayer massive radars. Additional important features for imaging radar include half-wavelength element spacing, thermal handling, and EMC capabilities.
REFERENCES[1] Yole Group, “WHAT’S IN THE BOX? – Automotive radars at a glance”, 28th July 2023
[2] “Gapwaves and Uhnder collaborate on Digital High Resolution Radar”, 3rd March 2020, https://www.gapwaves.com/pressreleases/gapwaves-and-uhnder-collaborate-on-digital-high-resolution-radar/
[3] “HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA, a leading German automotive supplier, invests in Swedish tech company Gapwaves AB”, 16th June 2021, https://www.gapwaves.com/pressreleases/hella-gmbh-co-kgaa-a-leading-german-automotive-supplier-invests-in-swedish-tech-company-gapwaves-ab/
[4] A. Vosoogh, A. Haddadi and C. Bencivenni, “Novel Low-loss Coaxial Slot Array Based on Gap Waveguide Technology for E-band Automotive Radar Applications,” 2023 17th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP), Florence, Italy, 2023, pp. 1-5
[5] A.Vosoogh S. Carlsson and C.Bencivenni, “Multi-Layer Waveguide Technology – A New Solution for Automotive Radar Antennas” Automotive Forum, EuMW 2023, Berlin, 2023-09-18
