Built on 22 nm RF-CMOS and optimized for AI-based sensing, the new radar SoCs take aim at next-generation ADAS performance.
Aug. 06, 2025, Aug. 06, 2025 –
Radar sensors have long been defined by tradeoffs between factors like range and resolution, and size and capability. In most automotive implementations, those tradeoffs still play out across multiple chips: one for the RF frontend, one for baseband processing, and another for system control.
With the release of the SX600 and SX601, Bosch has collapsed that structure into a single-package SoC. Both chips include the mmWave radar frontend, four transmit and four IQ receiver channels, chirp generation logic, a multicore microcontroller subsystem, and a digital signal processor capable of AI-accelerated inference—all built on a 22 nm FD-SOI RF-CMOS node.
Bosch says this level of integration allows radar modules to shrink by up to 30% in volume compared to conventional designs. That may sound minor, but in the architecture of modern vehicles, space translates directly to placement flexibility. Smaller modules mean better coverage, easier thermal management, and more aerodynamic enclosure options.
Precision, Noise, and the Role of the Digital PLL
Beneath the high-level specs, much of what defines a radar SoC’s capability is dictated by its chirp. Chirp modulation is the foundation for how radar systems determine range, velocity, and angle. But producing those chirps precisely and repeatably requires tight frequency control.
Bosch’s SoCs include a fully digital, fast-response phase-locked loop (PLL) tailored for chirp synthesis across the 76–81 GHz automotive band. Compared to analog or hybrid implementations, the digital architecture improves phase noise performance, enables faster reconfiguration, and supports variable chirp profiles on the fly.
Flexible chirp shaping is a practical enabler for multi-mode radar. In highway settings, long-range narrowband chirps help detect vehicles at extended distances. At low speeds or in parking scenarios, wider-band short-range chirps provide finer resolution for close-in objects. In complex urban environments, fast-hopping frequency diversity improves detection under interference or multipath conditions. The PLL’s fast response time allows the chip to transition between those modes dynamically...