Breakthrough in Domestic 4D Millimeter-Wave Radar Chips: 8T8R and 250M Range

By Liang Haobin, Electronic Enthusiast Network On February 10, Haoguan Technology launched what is claimed to be the world's most highly integrated 8-transmit, 8-receive (8T8R) 4D imaging radar MMIC, the MVRA188. According to the company, this chip has successfully passed testing, achieving a vehicle detection range of over 250 meters, with a maximum sampling rate of 250 MSPS. The introduction of this chip significantly enhances the data collection capabilities of 4D imaging radar, providing stronger support for core functions such as environmental perception and multi-target tracking in intelligent driving vehicles.

The Role of Domestic 4D Millimeter-Wave Radar in Reducing Costs for Intelligent Driving Systems

Traditional millimeter-wave radar has been limited by insufficient resolution. In contrast, 4D imaging radar enhances detection capabilities by adding a height dimension, enabling dense point cloud output and more precise object tracking. Additionally, the demand for higher perception accuracy in Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving is on the rise. Millimeter-wave radar technology is evolving to meet these demands, with 4D millimeter-wave radar featuring imaging-level resolution becoming the mainstream direction in the industry.

Structurally, unlike traditional 3D millimeter-wave radar that typically has 2-4 horizontally arranged receiving antennas, 4D millimeter-wave radar incorporates vertically arranged antennas, enhancing pitch angle measurement capabilities. By utilizing a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna array, it creates high-resolution environmental mapping, generating point clouds.

The higher resolution and increased pitch angle measurement capabilities make 4D millimeter-wave radar one of the key sensors for advanced intelligent driving systems.

Four Technical Approaches for Achieving 4D Millimeter-Wave Radar Point Cloud Output

There are four main technical approaches for achieving point cloud output in 4D millimeter-wave radar:

1. Virtual MIMO Based on Existing Chips: This approach uses specialized software algorithms and antenna designs to create high-multiplicity virtual MIMO, simulating dozens of times the original physical antenna count to significantly enhance resolution. The advantage of this technology lies in its use of existing hardware, keeping costs low, but the challenge shifts to software algorithms, with U.S.-based Oculii primarily pursuing this route.
2. Chip-Level Integration: This method integrates MIMO antennas and MMICs at the chip level to reduce the size of millimeter-wave radar. However, this high level of integration currently incurs higher initial costs, with companies like Arbe and Vayaar leading in this area.
3. Standard Chip Cascading + MIMO: This mature technology involves increasing device count, resulting in larger size, heat dissipation, and power consumption for millimeter-wave radar. Major Tier 1 companies like Continental and Bosch are using this technology to launch 4D millimeter-wave radar products.
4. Adaptive Metamaterial Antennas: This technology is still in the experimental phase, with MetaWave and EchoDyne being key players in this field.

Traditional cascading solutions rely on multi-chip stacking, leading to larger sizes and higher costs. Haoguan Technology's single-chip multi-channel solution significantly reduces size and optimizes performance through specialized architecture, aligning its technology with international competitors like Arbe and Uhnder. The MVRA188, as a highly integrated RF front-end chip, enhances the information capacity of 4D millimeter-wave radar by an order of magnitude. With its 8T8R multi-channel design, the chip achieves breakthroughs in horizontal angle resolution, ranging accuracy, and multi-target detection capabilities, providing more reliable environmental perception for advanced intelligent driving systems.

The Promising Future of Domestic 4D Millimeter-Wave Radar

MMICs, as core chips for 4D millimeter-wave radar, are predominantly monopolized by overseas semiconductor manufacturers including Infineon, TI, STMicroelectronics, Analog Devices, and NXP. Domestic players like Qingneng Huabo, Jiatelan Microelectronics, Andata Technology, Yixing Semiconductor, XJMicroelectronics, and Weidu Chip Technology are working to develop millimeter-wave radar MMIC products.

Haoguan Technology is the first in China to launch an 8T8R MMIC chip. Founder and CEO Tan Junhua stated that the MVRA188 reduces the cost of the RF front-end for 4D imaging radar by over 50%.

The release of the MVRA188 marks a new phase in the domestic 4D millimeter-wave radar chip industry, characterized by high integration and low cost. With ongoing technological advancements and capital support, Haoguan Technology may become a key player in breaking international monopolies, propelling intelligent driving from "functional realization" to "scaled proliferation."

Keywords for SEO:

• 4D Millimeter-Wave Radar
• Intelligent Driving Technology
• Millimeter-Wave Radar Chip
• Vehicle Detection Range
• Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)
• Domestic Semiconductor Industry
• High-Integration MMIC
• Environmental Perception in Autonomous Vehicles

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