A high resolution, near THz imaging system for all weather environmental mapping

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a novel millimeter wave imaging radar system designed to enhance driver-assistance technologies.

Current automotive sensors, such as phased arrays and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, struggle with high cost, limited field-of-view (FoV), and slow refresh rates, which can degrade performance in dynamic driving environments.

This technology addresses these limitations by utilizing a plastic Fresnel lens combined with a 65 nm CMOS imaging array to achieve high angular resolution. The system operates at 220 GHz, offering 0.78° angular resolution and 3 m range resolution. This approach simplifies the receiver architecture and eliminates additional latency, providing a cost-effective and efficient solution. Potential applications include advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles, where high-resolution imaging is critical for object detection in various weather conditions. This technology could greatly enhance safety and reliability in automotive systems.

Stage of Development

Figure:

Figure description: Block diagram of the proposed focal planar imaging array. The prototype imaging array consists of a beamforming Fresnel lens and a 4x4 receiver array in 65 nm CMOS.

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