Calterah’s next-gen Andes mmWave System on a Chip for 4D Imaging Radar to go on show at IAA Mobility 2023

Leading Chinese provider of mmWave radar System on a Chip (SoCs), Calterah Semiconductor, will be showcasing its most comprehensive product portfolio of automotive mmWave radar SoCs, including the most sought-after next-gen Andes SoC for 4D imaging radar, at the world’s largest and most important mobility event, IAA Mobility 2023 from September 5 to 10, at Booth A2-F31 of Messe München in Munich, Germany.

4D imaging radar, a state-of-the-art and buzzed-about mmWave sensing technology, provides high-resolution and long-range object detection that covers four dimensions (4D), namely distance, velocity, azimuth, and more importantly, elevation that sets it apart from traditional 3D mmWave radar systems. By collecting object information of four dimensions, it can output more dense point cloud data for better imaging, giving rise to the term “imaging radar”. Compared to regular mmWave radar, 4D imaging radar offers a range of advantages, such as a wider field of view (FOV), enhanced accuracy, exceptional resolution, better height measurement, and the capability to identify stationary objects and smaller targets other than vehicles, etc.

The next-gen Andes SoC (CAL77C844-AF) from Calterah is more than ready to meet the requirements of 4D premium and imaging radar. Just like other Calterah SoCs, Andes is a full integration of radar transceiver and microprocessor functions. Among similar radar sensor products in the market, Andes is made a true standout by its unmatched strengths.

Multi-Core CPU with DSP and RSP
The Andes SoC integrates 4 CPU cores that deliver the strongest computation power, a DSP with at least 2X and even 9X faster digital signal processing, and a proprietary RSP for more rapid radar signal processing. These all translate into a significant edge in signal and data processing and executing advanced algorithms, outshining the competition.
Flexible Architecture
The flexible architecture makes Andes fit for various use scenarios and waveform requirements. With a 7-bit phase rotator for greater resolution and accuracy, its RF subsystem also supports flexible waveform generation, accurate digital compensation, and an optimized floorplan for better isolation. Another testament to its flexibility is the innovative Flex-Cascading function with C2C interfaces, which enables users to create powerful 4D imaging radar systems of various scales by cascading different numbers of CAL77C844-AF SoCs.
Convenient Debugging Functions
The complicated development of imaging radar calls for convenient debugging functions. To address the demand, the Andes SoC device offers an array of user-friendly debugging functions by providing various debugging interfaces, channels, and analytic modules.
Advanced Security Capability
In response to the ever-growing demand for automotive cybersecurity, Andes has a Hardware Security Module (HSM) meeting the requirements of a main control chip of a vehicle. Featuring a "safety island" design, it ensures exclusive access to resources for the CPU within the HSM. Moreover, crypto hardware accelerators within the HSM bolster common encryption and decryption algorithms, further safeguarding cybersecurity of vehicle systems.

Based on two cascaded Andes SoCs, Calterah has developed a 4D imaging radar solution, which offers outstanding detection performances: azimuth resolution of 1.5°, azimuth accuracy of ±0.1°, elevation resolution of 4°, a maximum target number of 2048, and more. Notably, unlike radar systems based on cascaded MMICs, Calterah’s 4D imaging radar solution eliminates the need for an additional MCU thanks to the high integration level of Andes SoCs, hence achieving a lower radar system cost. With both exceptional detection capabilities and high cost-efficiency, the Calterah 4D radar solution enabled by Andes SoCs is poised to empower more L3+ ADAS systems, advancing the landscape of autonomous driving.

Since its establishment in Shanghai in 2014, Calterah has been committed to providing its users with higher-performance, easier-to-use, and more power-efficient mmWave radar technology. With a proven track record of shipping accumulatively over 5 million units of automotive ICs and empowering 150 plus vehicle models, Calterah has grown from a pioneer to an established and prominent supplier of CMOS single-chip mmWave radar sensors. This makes the company a compelling option worth noting, particularly for automotive Tier-1s that seek high-quality, reliable, and cost-efficient mmWave radar SoC products and solutions.