DENSO Corporation has developed a new and higher-performing millimeter-wave radar that has a longer and wider detection range, which helps improve the responsiveness of an active safety technology, such as Pre-crash Safety (PCS) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) systems. DENSO’s new, multi-zone radar is significantly lower in cost due to an improved material selection and also is approximately the same size as the company’s previous model. The new millimeter-wave radar system is available as a factory option on the Mazda6, which launched first in North America and then in Japan, Europe and other regions this past fall.
“For enhanced performance, in addition to the longer detection range, the radar’s wider detection area improves the systems response in lane-intrusion situations,” said Ron Schubert, Director Body Control Systems at DENSO International America, Inc. “The wider radar detection is especially important in the United States where we are a nation of multiple lane highways.”
Achieving a Higher and Wider Detection Angle DENSO’s new radar has a detection distance of 205 meters and a +/- 18 degree detection radius within a distance of 35 meters from the vehicle. This is compared to 151 meters and +/- 10 degrees in the conventional product.
To achieve a longer detection distance, DENSO improved the electronic circuit design in a way that reduces electromagnetic interference that could limit the receiver’s detection of reflected radio waves. This allows the sensor to have an enhanced receiving ability for objects at a longer distance. This longer detection range enables ACC-equipped vehicles to maintain a safe and constant distance to the vehicles in front of them – even when traveling at higher speeds. Also, by better positioning the receiving antenna, the radar has a wider detection angle, which improves system responsiveness.
In addition, to improve manufacturing efficiency a motor was installed in the sensor to automatically adjust the antenna’s axis, which was done by hand in the previous version.
In an effort to realize an accident-free automotive society, DENSO has developed and commercialized both passive and active safety technologies to protect vehicle occupants, as well as to prevent traffic accidents. Based on the technologies it has developed, DENSO will continue toward a safe and reliable automotive society for all people in the world, including drivers and pedestrians.
DENSO will progressively make the new millimeter wave radar system available for a greater number of vehicle models across the globe.
DENSO Corporation, headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, is a leading global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal, powertrain control, electric, electronics and information and safety. Its customers include all the world’s major carmakers. Worldwide, the company has more than 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in 35 countries and regions (including Japan) and employs over 120,000 people. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, totaled US$38.4 billion. Last fiscal year, DENSO spent 9.5 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo and Nagoya stock exchanges. For more information, go to www.globaldenso.com, or visit our media website at www.densomediacenter.com.
In North America, DENSO’s consolidated sales totaled US$6.2 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012. The North American DENSO Group employs more than 14,000 people at 28 consolidated companies and affiliates. Of these, 26 are manufacturing facilities located in the U.S, Canada and Mexico.
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