μWaveRiders: RF/Microwave Technology Driving the Connected Car

The Team RF "μWaveRiders" blog series is a showcase for Cadence AWR RF products. Monthly topics will vary between Cadence AWR Design Environment release highlights, feature videos, Cadence Academic Network news (now includes the former AWR University Program), as well as software tips, tricks, customization, and feature spotlights. To receive notifications about new blogs in this series, click Subscribe Now and enter your email address in the Subscriptions box.

Cadence AWR: Helping Pave the Road to Autonomous Driving

A recently published white paper, RF/Microwave Technology Driving the Connected Car, discusses how wireless communications and mmWave radar systems enable next-generation vehicles with a host of functions, ranging from safety and navigation features to infotainment and remote entry/control. Along with the deployment of 5G ultra-reliable low latency networks and their potential to support autonomous driving, automotive connectivity also includes GPS, cellular, dedicated short range communication (DSRC) / V2X, satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS), and more. These systems require a host of enabling technologies including: 

• high-density dashboard electronics
• wireless sensing/communications
• integrated antennas for automotive-oriented mobile telecommunication services and on-board electronics systems
• mmWave, beam-steering antenna arrays for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS)

For tomorrow’s ADAS-enabled vehicles, 4D imaging radar is needed for object recognition, which is the gateway to the next levels of autonomous driving. System analysis plays a key role in linking radar sensing (RF front-end) requirements to current and future signal processing capabilities to make imaging radar possible. In addition, MIMO and phased-array antennas will provide improved RF signal propagation, leading to true 4D imaging radars for SAE Levels 4 and higher ADAS. Modules based on advanced packaging technology are needed to integrate image signal processing, power management, SiGe BiCMOS/CMOS RF front-ends, and in-package or on-chip antenna arrays into a high-performance system for automotive guidance and driver assist radars.

Developing these systems requires specialized simulation/measurements, high-frequency device models and design automation found in the Cadence AWR RF/microwave electronic design software. This RF/microwave simulation software enables design teams to effectively manage the complex design and integration challenges associated with developing these high-speed and RF-enabled networks. Through proper analysis and design automation software from Cadence, engineering teams can accelerate the design of robust devices to meet performance, size, weight, and cost requirements while reducing time to market.

Related Resources

White Papers

• RF/Microwave Technology Driving the Connected Car

Blogs

• μWaveRiders: Simulating Mixed-Signal RF Systems with AWR VSS Software
• Capabilities in Cadence Software for 5G/6G Design Challenges

Articles

• Computational Software Meets Generational Industry Drivers

Contact Us

For questions, general feedback, or suggestions for future blog topics, write to team_rf_blogs@cadence.com. 

To receive notifications about new blogs in this series, click Subscribe Now and enter your email address in the Subscriptions box.