MICROWAVE AND MILLIMETER-WAVE APPLICATIONS IN AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS - TRENDS

Over the next decade, there will be a significant increase in the elec tronic content of automobiles. The continuing emphasis on vehicle and occupant safety, on driver convenience and ergonomic interfaces will p rovide many challenges and opportunities for the engineering community . Advanced products like automotive radar and the introduction of ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) products, will also require the d evelopment of cost effective products. This article will survey the is sues and concepts related to microwave and millimeterwave product appl ications for ITS. As the article will show, there is significant world wide opportunity and activity in improving transportation infrastructu re, by using capacity and safety enhancing products. Additionally, the article also provides an overview of the advances in developing a mmw radar sensor for automotive applications. While the promise of large business opportunities still exists, there are significant challenges to developing a commercially viable radar based system? for the automo tive? consumer. These include issues related from systems configuratio ns, and FCC licensing, and developing the various components in the ra dar unit itself. In summary, the article will also touch on the cost, ?manufacturability and human factors topics. (C) 1997 The Franklin Ins titute. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.