This paper describes an advanced vehicle radar system operating at a frequency of 60.5 GHz that has been jointly developed for the Japanese automobile and truck market by Eaton VORAD Technologies of San Diego, California, and Hitachi, Ltd. of Japan. The radar system is used for both collision warning system (CWS) applications and for adaptive cruise control (ACC) applications.
The radar system employs monopulse radar technology to measure azimuth angle to each vehicle in the forward direction. The techniques used to reduce cost and complexity of monopulse radar for low cost use on commercial vehicles are described. These techniques combine Doppler radar technology with digitally derived monopulse processing.
Japan is the only country that has selected the frequency band of 60 GHz for vehicle radar systems. The reasons for this selection are discussed and the advantages and disadvantages of this frequency band are presented. The Japanese Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPT) specifies radiation limitations differently than the United States and has unique testing and transmission requirements which are discussed.
The radar system has completed the prototype phase and preproduction has commenced. The radar system will be co-produced by Eaton VORAD Technologies in the United States and by Hitachi, Ltd. in Japan. The paper also presents system specifications, component assemblies, block diagrams, and installation considerations