GaAs MMICs for Automotive Applications

Based on more than 15 years of research and development work in several generations of experimental automotive radars the key requirements of the RF-parts of the systems are well known and fixed. Experience with the first generations of RF-front-ends also shows, that real volume production is reasonable only using integrated building blocks (MMICs). This paper reviews the different possible approaches. It turns out that depending on the radar principle used different technologies may be required, but that today all functions are available with good performance. Finally we describe a GaAs MMIC chip set which is presently under production. In addition a short description is also given for a remote identification and communication system which is produced for advanced road pricing systems.