Wide-band radar sensors detect minute movements
Radio wave ranging sensors from Socionext Europe, the SC1220 series, use 60GHz frequency band. They are able to detect an individual’s location and movement with very high accuracy and precision, says the company.
The SC1220 series radar sensors comply with the new 60GHz wireless equipment band, which is available in North America and Europe. High-precision sensing using a 7GHz (57 to 64GHz) bandwidth allows the SC1220 series to detect a person’s location and very minute movements, making the sensors suitable for advanced applications such as operating appliances using hand gestures. The radar sensors are generally not susceptible to environmental conditions, such as temperature and light fluctuations, for use in a variety of applications, including smart home devices.
Socionext believes it is the first company to develop 60GHz radar sensor in a package size of just 7.0 x 7.0 x 0.83mm. The sensors also operate with very low power consumption of 1.0 to 2.5mW. The radar sensors incorporate antenna, wireless circuit, A/D converter, FIFO memory, SPI and intelligent power control sequencer for flexible duty cycle control. Socionext claims users do not require advanced knowledge in handling high-frequency devices.
Two versions are available. The SC1220AT2 detects three-dimensional movements, such as the lifting and lowering of a person’s hands. It has a built-in antenna of two transmission systems and 2×2 reception array, and can detect azimuth, elevation angle, speed and distance. In addition to presence detection, the device can sense the position of a person’s hands in a three-dimensional space, which is suitable for operations requiring gestures.
The SC1221AR3 specialises in high-precision detection of two-dimensional movements, and is capable of detecting multiple moving objects in a specific area.
It incorporates a 1×4 linear array receiver antenna to detect azimuth, speed and distance of multiple moving objects. Angle detection is only available in the azimuth direction, but it is two times more precise than that of the SC1220AT2, which is suitable for detecting a person entering a specific area.
Samples are now available, with volume production scheduled in the second quarter of 2020.
