Radar systems at 140 GHz in 22 nm FDSOI CMOS for accurate gesture detection with compact dimensions, high energy efficiency and digital signal generation (REGGAE)

The REGGAE project targets to revolutionise radar-based, contactless gesture recognition. The scientific contributions made with this project will result in innovations in human-machine interfaces in various fields, including automotive engineering, personal medicine, sensor networks for smart buildings, augmented reality and robotics.

The research conducted in the REGGAE project intends to address several challenges in state-of-the-art radar system technology for gesture recognition. The radar will operate at a center frequency of 140 GHz, with a 12.5 GHz bandwidth, thus leading to a miniaturized package and a high resolution. The radar will make use of PMCW waveforms - this improves robustness, reduces power consumption, is well-suited for MIMO arrays and high-quality resonators and noise-reducing PLLs can be used. eWLB low-loss chip packaging will minimize loss and dimensions; CMOS technology will be used, which in turn reduces chip costs in mass production and enables the integration of analogue and very power-efficient digital circuits on one chip. The 22 nm FDSOI technology from Globalfoundries will be used for the first time.

The consortium combines the areas of expertise of several university and industry project partners: IGE (ICs up to 200 GHz), LTE (RF transmitter & mixed-signal ICs), IHE (antenna components, RF, AVT & signal processing), Globalfoundries (CMOS manufacturing), Infineon (technology leader radar chips), InnoSenT (radar, system requirements and consumer electronics), Siemens Mobility (systems engineering, mobility solutions), as well as the car manufacturers Daimler and Audi.

The IHE is responsible for the antennas, packaging technology, the system design and signal processing.