Date: 04/12/2008

Cost saving radar chip from Infineon is used in Bosch's automotive safety system

Robert Bosch GmbH will be employing a chip from Infineon in its next generation of automotive radar systems. An Infineon chip from the company's RASIC (Radar System IC) product family is being used in Bosch's new LRR3 radar sensor system (third-generation Long Range Radar). The LRR3 has been developed for Adaptive Cruise Control, ACC, at ranges up to 250 meters, and predictive radar-based safety functions such as predictive brake assist systems, collision warning features and automatic emergency braking. Infineon produces the radar chip using silicon-germanium (SiGe) tech replacing expensive gallium-arsenide (GaAs) tech.


"The LRR3 radar system was specially developed for high-volume driver assistance systems, and for the first time makes use of silicon-germanium as the semiconductor material," commented Dr. Dirk Freundt, LRR3 Project Manager for Bosch. "By employing Infineon's innovative radar chips and avoiding the use of costly special-purpose semiconductors, it has been possible to significantly enhance the functionality of the Bosch sensor, and considerably reduce system costs. Bosch is also looking to bring the radar sensor and its functions into the midrange and compact class, where it could soon be part of a car's standard equipment."

Market researchers at US market research firm Strategy Analytics expect that by 2011, of the three million vehicles with remote warning systems, some 2.3 million will make use of radar systems. By 2014, seven percent of all new cars could be equipped with a remote warning system, predominantly in Europe and Japan. Infineon is ranked number one in this market.

Volume manufacture of the radar chip at Infineon is set to commence at the end of 2008, with production startup at Bosch planned for early 2009.

Further information about the radar chip visit, www.infineon.com/radar