Smartmicro GmbH is developing high performance Radar technology. Our continuous research development is targeting leadership in low cost 24GHz Radar sensors and their performance. It comprises mainly four fields.

1. Radar System Design.

This department is designing and optimizing Radar sensors altogether. There is research and development going on to address all modules of the hardware and software of the Radar devices: antenna configurations, RF sub module configuration and performance optimization, MMIC design and specification, DSP block diagram and software structure questions, CAD design concerning housings and radomes.

2. Digital Signal Processing.

Hardware specialists are working on the optimum selection of inexpensive processors, schematics and layout of DSP boards. Interfaces to the RF modules are designed for best cost/performance ratio. Software experts ensure the clever exploitation of processor ressources. Efficient encoding of the signal processing algorithms is one of Smartmicro's big strengths.

3. Antennae.

Being a key element of a sensor, the antenna configuration has significant influence on the performance of a Radar device. In the overall scope of the Radar design, Smartmicro has been doing research and development in the field of antennae. The structures are designed and specified in detail. Together with selected partners, extensive 3D electromagnetic field simulations are used to achieve best performance. Practical tests are run both in labs and in the field to assess the antenna behavior.

4. MMIC (millimeter wave integrated circuit) Technology.

The production of Radar sensors in high volume at low cost, for instance for automotive applications, requires the usage of MMICs. RF modules using system-on-chip MMICs are very cost-competitive, can reach better performance and have higher reproducibility compared to RF modules using discrete components. All UMRR-09xx (generation 9) sensors are featuring this latest system-on-chip design . Smartmicro is very actively designing and specififying MMIC based RF solutions. Together with selected co-operation partners those modules are then produced, while Smartmicro is continuously evaluating and optimizing this part of the sensor hardware.

Smartmicro's know-how is not limited to a specific frequency band, although very many sensor units are delivered operating in the 24GHz ISM band. General features of Smartmicro's Radar technology are:

• Modern hi-performance system design
• Direct range, speed and angle measurement
• Multitarget capability
• Flexible transmit waveform, detection- and tracking software, adaptable for different applications

Smartmicro's know-how and research work includes all common Radar measurement principles. Please contact us in case of questions.

The main product line is the UMRR platform of radar sensors, operating at 24GHz. The name UMRR stands for Universal Medium Range Radar