What obstacles still need to be overcome in the localization of 77GHz millimeter wave radar?
With the gradual implementation of active safety related policies for domestic automobiles and the rapid penetration of automotive intelligence into mid to low end models, it seems that there is a huge market for 77GHz millimeter wave radar, but domestic 77GHz radar manufacturers find it difficult to benefit from it in the short term. ”Li Hong, General Manager of Leibotech, stated to "High Tech Intelligent Vehicles".
Rebotech was founded in 2014, focusing on the research and development of 24GHz millimeter wave radar. The 77GHz millimeter wave radar is currently in the research and development stage. The R&D team mainly consists of talents from the military radar background and the National University of Defense Technology. More than 7000 sets of the aftermarket BSD developed for its 24GHz millimeter wave radar have been shipped.
Li Hong believes that the 77GHz millimeter wave radar market may seem lively, but it is actually not mature. Previously, high-frequency millimeter wave radar chips were under long-term embargo control in China, making it difficult for domestic companies to access and develop them. As a result, domestic 77GHz millimeter wave radar companies were generally established late, with small scale and most lacking pre installation experience.
Li Hong, General Manager of Leibotech
From the perspective of host manufacturers, they are more inclined to choose enterprises with the ability to bear risks. At present, it is difficult for domestic 77GHz millimeter wave radar enterprises to enter the host factory system, mainly manifested in the following aspects.
Technology is more difficult than imagined, and some entrepreneurs will be eliminated
The technical barrier for 77GHz millimeter wave radar is relatively high, and in addition to the hardware process itself, MMIC chips and antenna PCB boards are technical difficulties.
Front end single-chip microwave integrated circuit (MMIC): It includes various functional circuits, such as low noise amplifier (LNA), power amplifier, mixer, and even transceiver system. It has the characteristics of low circuit loss, low noise, wide frequency band, large dynamic range, high power, high additional efficiency, and strong resistance to electromagnetic radiation.
The key component of millimeter wave radar, the front-end single-chip microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) technology, is controlled by foreign semiconductor companies, while high-frequency MMICs are only controlled by a very small number of foreign chip manufacturers such as Infineon and Freescale. Xiamen Yixing and Nanjing Miller are currently developing radar MMICs in China, but their performance still needs to be verified.
The 77GHz radar antenna requires a high specification and high-frequency PCB board: The mainstream solution for millimeter wave radar antennas is microstrip arrays. Simply put, integrating the high-frequency PCB board onto a regular PCB substrate to achieve antenna functionality requires maintaining sufficient signal strength in a small integration space.
Currently, only a few companies in the world, such as Rogers, Schweizer, Taconic, etc., possess the relevant technology. Domestic PCB board companies include Xingsen Express, Shanghai Electric, and Shennan, which are still in their infancy. Among them, Shanghai Electric has cooperated with Schweizer and has advanced technology.
How can domestic 77GHz millimeter wave radar break through?
Li Hong believes that he is more optimistic about enterprises with military technology backgrounds. Because domestically produced radar in the military field already has a high level of technical expertise and mass production experience, and technical talents who have participated in military radar projects can develop 77GHz millimeter wave radar faster;
However, a team composed of theoretical talents such as PhDs from universities who have not participated in mass production radar projects find it difficult to convert theoretical knowledge into products, which requires a lot of project experience. When the funds are exhausted and the product cannot be produced, they may face the danger of being eliminated.
Long front-end testing cycle
Although there is a huge market demand for 77GHz millimeter wave radar, it is difficult for domestic 77GHz millimeter wave radar to obtain orders from host manufacturers.
Because 77GHz is mainly used for active control ADAS such as forward AEB/LKA, compared to other warning ADAS, 77GHz directly affects driving safety, and host manufacturers are more inclined to choose radar companies with front-end installation cases; In addition, the host manufacturer has a long testing cycle for domestically produced 77GHz millimeter wave radar.
Li Hong stated that the Double Ten Agreement (with suppliers completing 100000 kilometers of testing and OEMs completing 100000 kilometers of testing) is just an appetizer. Other agreements, testing processes, and production cycles still require a lot of time, and it will take at least 3 years from testing to mass production and installation. Moreover, the host manufacturer is very strict and will not give the testing company the opportunity to make mistakes during the testing process.
Chips are controlled by others, how can we talk about mass production?
At present, there is no mass-produced 77GHz millimeter wave radar chip in China, and most domestic radar companies use the first generation chips from Infineon and TI.
Li Hong believes that using imported chips to produce domestically produced 77GH millimeter wave radar chips cannot be considered mass-produced, nor does it have market competitiveness, because millimeter wave radar chip giants such as Infineon and TI have close commercial and capital relationships with radar manufacturers such as Bosch and mainland China.
If the domestic 77GHz millimeter wave radar is compared with Bosch, Continental, Delphi, Denso TRW、 If companies such as Fujitsu and Hitachi form competitive relationships, chip companies such as Infineon and TI may adopt methods such as raising prices, limiting supply, or stopping supply to ensure the interests of core partners such as Bosch and Mainland China.
From the perspective of business competition, there is a certain market risk for domestically produced 77GHz millimeter wave radar in the future.
In terms of price, currently, Bosch's 77GHz millimeter wave radar only costs around 1500 RMB, while two years ago its price was around 2700 RMB.
If domestic 77GHz millimeter wave radar can achieve mass shipment, its cost will also be higher than companies such as Bosch, Delphi, and Continental. At this time, companies such as Bosch, Delphi, and Continental have reduced their 77GHz millimeter wave radar to around 1000 yuan, or even lower.
The domestic 77GHz millimeter wave radar is not mature enough in terms of enterprise size, technological level, bidding advantage, and market maturity. It will take some time for the host factory to truly install and equip the domestic 77GHz millimeter wave radar.
So, how do radar manufacturers survive the cold winter? Which radar manufacturers will have priority in gaining favor from host manufacturers in the future? Li Hong believes that the installation of BSD after research and development, as well as the practical application of multi domain technologies, can continuously generate revenue for enterprises. Rebotech's product applications also include airport runway monitoring radar, special scenario security radar, rear mounted BSD radar, and other fields. The next step is to engage in a protracted battle.
But opportunities are always reserved for companies that are prepared.
The host manufacturer stated that although they will not purchase domestically produced 77GHz millimeter wave radar in bulk at present, the market demand is still strong.
They will choose some 77GHz millimeter wave radar manufacturers in advance, install and test them on models with lower sales, establish long-term cooperative relationships, and gradually apply them to other mainstream models based on market feedback, domestic radar enterprise technology level, production scale, price, etc.
