A joint research team from three German institutes, under a Project titled RadarGlass, have applied for a patent on an innovative radar system. The team developed a coating process chain that enables radar sensors to be integrated in car headlights. And after almost two years in development they have now manufactured a working prototype. The joint team consists of Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT from Aachen, the Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP from Dresden and the Institute of High Frequency Technology IHF of RWTH Aachen University.
Completely autonomous vehicles pose an enormous challenge for sensor technology because, in principle, the supporting system must hear, see and feel better than humans. While the corresponding sensors are available – in particular since a large number of assistance systems have already been installed – developers are always faced with the question of where they can be placed best. In the case of radar sensors, it makes sense to install them in the front headlamps. According to Dipl.-Phys. Patrick Gretzki, a scientist in the Micro and Nano Structuring group at Fraunhofer ILT, it's the perfect position because they completely cover the near and far range and allow looking to the side. Since the light source generates so much heat, the sensors are also always free of snow and water even under harsh weather conditions.
Coating Directs the Radar Beam
The three institutes cover all the necessary expertise from developing a suitable coating system to designing the high-frequency components all the way to precisely producing them with laser radiation. Together, they have developed a functional, electrically conductive thin film placed inside the headlamp cover, a film that can be used to specifically shape and direct the radar beam. The layer can manipulate the beam selectively depending on the type of application: In order to detect and recognize pedestrians, the radar beam is directed to the side. Like an eye, the beam can also be focused on the near or far range. The RadarGlass project is investigating which thin-film system can be used to control radar waves with low loss and without limiting the main purpose of the headlamp.
Precise Laser-Based Structuring in the 10 µm Range
The researchers developed a coating system that meets the criteria for headlamp and radar use and can be applied and structured on typical automobile headlamps. In order to guide and shape the radar beam, small patches of the coating have to be structured. These patches act as small antennas for the radar waves. To do this, a laser process was developed at Fraunhofer ILT which allows the shaping of antenna elements. In a preliminary study, the structuring of antenna elements was utilized to make it possible for high-frequency waves to pass through thermal glazing selectively; e. g. the glazing can be used for WLAN and mobile radio networks.
The laser-manufactured structures – with a resolution of up to 10 µm – are much more precise than any conventional printing process. Moreover, conventional lithography processes require more steps in the process chain and are limited to flat (or slightly curved) surfaces, two hindrances overcome by the new laser-based process.
Implementation Planned With Industrial Partners
With the help of simulations, the partners are developing structures for the targeted manipulation of radar waves in the range around 77 GHz. Using demonstrators, they will show the functionality of the technology and then continue to develop it. According to Gretzki, with the demonstrators, they have shown that they can simulate, design and produce the antennas in such a way that it fulfills the desired properties. Currently, the team is already presenting the solution to industry representatives in order to tackle further steps to exploit the process. In the next phase of the project, they will install the solution in real headlamps.
The RadarGlass project is funded by the VDI/VDE as part of the VIP+ initiative under the code 03VP03201.
