What if automotive radar systems could stream raw sensor data directly to centralized processors while reducing wiring complexity and improving scalability?
TIDA-020093 is a reference design from Texas Instruments (TI) that provides design engineers with a validated framework for developing single-chip mmWave streaming radar systems for automotive front radar applications. The platform combines a 76GHz to 81GHz radar transceiver with 8TX and 8RX antenna channels, raw radar data transmission over FPD-Link™, and integrated power management to support high performance ADAS and centralized vehicle computing architectures.
The reference design supports long range radar, 4D imaging radar, and satellite radar applications for advanced driver assistance systems including adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane change assist, and front cross traffic detection. The design achieves detection ranges up to 350m in ultra long range mode, supports azimuth field of view up to ±70 degrees, elevation field of view up to ±10 degrees, and velocity tracking from –300kmph to +125kmph.
The architecture combines an 8TX and 8RX FMCW radar transceiver with an FPD-Link IV serializer that streams raw radar data to centralized electronic control units over a coax cable. This streaming radar topology shifts signal processing away from edge sensors toward centralized compute systems, helping reduce sensor cost, size, wiring complexity, and system weight while improving scalability across vehicle platforms.
The design also integrates a wide input voltage DC/DC stage supporting 12V to 48V operation, including Power over Coax functionality where both data and power are transmitted through a single cable. Multiple integrated power management stages provide ultra low noise supply rails required for radar performance while minimizing EMI and improving thermal efficiency.
The platform incorporates diagnostic and monitoring features supporting automotive functional safety requirements, including watchdog supervision, voltage monitoring, reset management, cybersecurity support, and runtime calibration functions. The system further supports SPI and I2C communication flexibility, allowing designers to configure the radar module with or without the onboard microcontroller.
The reference design uses a space optimized 82mm × 59mm single PCB layout and includes schematics, bill of materials (BOM), PCB layout files, software support, evaluation tools, and testing documentation.
Click here to find additional design resources and implementation details.
