- Has a longer and wider-angle detection range for improved performance -

KARIYA (Japan) - DENSO Corporation has developed a new and higher-performing millimeter-wave radar that has a longer and wider detection range, which helps improve the responsiveness of an active safety technology, such as Pre-crash Safety (PCS) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) systems. DENSO's new multi-zone radar is significantly lower in cost due to an improved material selection and also is the comparable size as the company's previous model. The new millimeter-wave radar system is available as a factory option on the Mazda6, launched in Europe and Japan this past fall and planned to be launched in markets worldwide.

"The longer detection range enables ACC-equipped vehicles to maintain a safe and constant distance to the vehicles in front of them - even when traveling at higher speeds," said Hiroyuki Wakabayashi, executive director responsible for DENSO's Information and Safety Systems Business Group. "The radar's wider-angle detection range allows the vehicle to respond more quickly and appropriately to other vehicles that might unexpectedly pull in front of you, and other dangers in curves and intersections."

Achieving a Higher and Wider Detection Angle
DENSO's new radar has a detection distance of 205 meters and a ±18° detection radius within a distance of 35 meters from the vehicle. This is compared to 151 meters and ±10° in the conventional product (illustration below.).

To achieve a longer detection distance, DENSO improved the electronic circuit design in a way that reduces electromagnetic interference that could limit the receiver's detection of reflected radio waves. This allows the sensor to have an enhanced receiving ability for objects ahead at a longer distance. Also, by better positioning the receiving antenna, the radar has a wider detection angle, which improves system responsiveness.

In addition, to improve manufacturing efficiency, a motor was installed in the sensor to automatically adjust the antenna's axis, which was done by hand in the previous version.

In an effort to realize an accident-free automotive society, DENSO has developed and commercialized both passive and active safety technologies to protect vehicle occupants, as well as to prevent traffic accidents. Based on the technologies it has developed, DENSO will continue toward a safe and reliable automotive society for all people in the world, including drivers and pedestrians.

DENSO will progressively make the new millimeter wave radar system available for a greater number of vehicle models across the globe.

DENSO Corporation, headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, is a leading global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal, powertrain control, electric, electronics and information and safety. Its customers include all the world's major carmakers. Worldwide, the company has more than 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in 35 countries and regions (including Japan) and employs over 120,000 people. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, totaled US$38.4 billion. Last fiscal year, DENSO spent 9.5 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo and Nagoya stock exchanges. For more information, go to www.denso.com/global/en/, or visit our media website at www.densomediacenter.com .

About millimeter-wave radars
Millimeter-wave radars transmit radio waves from the front side to the vehicle ahead and analyze the arrival time and direction of the reflected radio waves to measure the distance to the vehicle and determine its velocity and position. These systems are used as sensors for PCS systems that attempt to minimize crash damage when detecting an imminent collision, and for ACC systems that maintain a safe headway distance.

Photo of the new millimeter-wave radar

Performance comparison between the old and new millimeter-wave radar systems