Top Advantages and Challenges of Millimeter-Wave Radars in Autonomous Vehicles

With advancements in technology, new varieties of millimeter-wave radars that are available to everyday consumers are being introduced to the market. One example is a radar device that comes pre-installed in a car or is available as an add-on. And there are many other applications that take advantage of millimeter-wave technology.  

What Other Cool Uses Does This Technology Provide?

The use of millimeter-wave (mmW) radar has been met with acclaim by many industries because of the advantages it offers. Aside from automobiles, the technology can be used in a variety of fields of study. Scientists make use of the mmW radar for:

• Radio astronomy
• Studying the upper atmosphere through satellites
• Studying climate changes
• Studying rainfall patterns
• Analyzing the effects of global warming

Using the automotive industry as an example, here are some challenges facing—and advantages to using—this mmW technology.

4 Common Challenges

1. Vulnerability 

Being vulnerable to certain atmospheric and meteorological phenomena can be an issue for mmW radars. Since the radar needs to be able to bounce off the other vehicles on the road, the presence of pollutants or other atmospheric particles can sometimes get in the way of effective threat identification.  

2. Over-sensitivity

Over-sensitivity of the technology can be a problem in some instances. There have been cases where the alarm for the program activated even when there was no real threat. Relying too much on a machine to detect threats can lead to harmless mistakes, setting off the alarm.

3. Limited Range

While the use of the radar will someday lead to the creation of self-driving cars, the technology in its present state is still somewhat limited in terms of accuracy and range.

4. External Interferences

The presence of electrical towers or electromagnetic hotspots can sometimes cause interference with the machine and, in some cases, cause it to malfunction. More work needs to be done to ensure the radar is protected against electrical interference. Consider learning about how to eliminate phase noise problems in radar systems.

3 Key Advantages

Now that the negative news is out of the way, here’s a look at the top three advantages mmW radars can bring to the table.

1. Accuracy

New mmW radar devices being manufactured for use in automobiles provide far more accuracy than older models. They can be used to measure the exact distance between your vehicle and the ones that are in close proximity. The program will also keep track of the movement of passersby and constantly monitor the situation to detect possible threats. 

2. Warning System

The program which controls the radar is also able to send a warning to a passenger when it appears that a collision is imminent, providing plenty of time for a course correction. In the event of a crash occurring, the mmW system can also send message alerts to the authorities and members of the driver’s family.

3. Compact Design

The older models for the mmW radar made use of giant antennas and numerous other components in order to operate. However, the newer mmW models are able to do the same work with much smaller components, which do not get in the way of the driver or take up too much space. 

Final Thoughts

The adoption of the mmW radar is definitely a benefit for vehicular navigation, but there are certain challenges which must be addressed in order to expand the use of this technology and bring it into the mainstream. CMOS clocks are also frequently used as another key ingredient in autonomous vehicles to regulate timing needs.

Consider checking out the Key Developments in mmW Radio Spectrum Research to learn more interesting details on mmW technology.