Semiconductor Type:
Radar Sensors
Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) sensors use radio waves to detect object distance, velocity, and angle. They are widely used in automotive driver-assistance systems (ADAS), drones, industrial automation, and defense. Unlike cameras or LiDAR, radar operates reliably in poor weather, fog, and darkness, making it a crucial redundancy layer for autonomous systems. Advances in mmWave radar and MIMO architectures have significantly improved resolution, closing the gap with optical sensors.
Role in the Semiconductor Ecosystem
- Provide long-range detection (up to 300+ meters) independent of lighting and visibility conditions.
- Enable velocity measurement via Doppler shift, essential for adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance.
- Use semiconductor technologies such as SiGe BiCMOS and CMOS mmWave ICs for compact, integrated radar modules.
- Critical in automotive autonomy stacks as a complementary modality to cameras and LiDAR.
Radar Categories
- Short-Range Radar (SRR): 24 GHz or 60 GHz bands; parking assist, blind-spot monitoring.
- Mid-Range Radar (MRR): 77 GHz; collision warning, lane-change assist.
- Long-Range Radar (LRR): 77–81 GHz; adaptive cruise control, highway autopilot.
- Imaging Radar: MIMO arrays producing high-resolution 2D/3D maps, emerging in L4 autonomy.
Representative Vendors
| Vendor | Core Products | Approx. ASP | Strengths | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NXP Semiconductors | 77 GHz automotive radar SoCs | $20–$80 | Global leader in automotive radar ICs | Supplies Tier-1s for ADAS + autonomy |
| Texas Instruments | 60/77 GHz mmWave radar ICs | $10–$60 | Flexible platform for automotive + industrial | Strong ecosystem of evaluation kits + software |
| Infineon | 77 GHz radar chipsets | $15–$70 | Strong in European automotive radar | Integrates SiGe + CMOS for low power |
| Arbe Robotics | Imaging radar (4D radar) | $100–$300 | High-resolution point cloud radar | Focus on L4+ autonomy systems |
| Aptiv / Continental | Radar modules integrating SoCs | $50–$200 | Tier-1 suppliers for OEMs | Integrate multiple vendors’ ICs |
Supply Chain Considerations
- Frequency Bands: Transition from 24 GHz to 77–81 GHz bands globally is standardizing supply.
- Semiconductor Nodes: Radar ICs typically fabricated on SiGe BiCMOS or CMOS at 40–90 nm — not leading-edge, but specialized.
- Tier-1 Integration: OEMs rely heavily on Tier-1 suppliers (Bosch, Continental, Denso) to integrate radar modules into vehicles.
- Emerging Imaging Radar: 4D radar startups depend on specialized packaging + antenna-in-package (AiP) substrates.
Market Outlook
The automotive radar market was valued at ~$6B in 2023 and is projected to exceed ~$12B by 2030 (~10% CAGR). Growth is driven by mandatory ADAS regulations, L2+/L3 autonomy, and industrial automation. Imaging radar (4D point cloud) is expected to move from premium vehicles into mid-tier EVs and eventually robotics, providing a radar complement to LiDAR and cameras in perception stacks.
