Infineon and Hella are making the blind spot safer; serial production of 24-GHz radar components for many model classes, also below premium segment

Munich, Germany – February 4, 2015 – Infineon Technologies, together with the German automotive supplier, Hella, has developed innovative radio-frequency components for a radar sensor, which reliably monitors the blind spot in the car’s rear section (Blind Spot Detection). The module saves space and costs through the integration of multiple, formerly separate components into one transceiver (transmitter and receiver at the same time) and features low power consumption at improved performance. Due to this efficiency increase, serial production of the driver assistance system is made possible also in vehicles outside of the premium segment.

Hella’s 24-GHz radar sensor system for blind spot detection stands out for its high precision. The continuously updated radar scan detects moving objects even in poor weather and independent of the direction and speed of their motion. Optimized antenna concepts furthermore facilitate an even higher measuring accuracy. For example, when passing others or changing lanes, the system warns of vehicles coming from behind. When parking, the radar registers cross-traffic in the rear and prevents collisions.

Infineon’s new Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuits (MMICs) of the chip family BGT24Axxas the key components contribute to the efficiency increase of the driver assistance system. They improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), whereby they ensure higher precision in the detection and signaling of objects in the blind spot. As fully integrated transceivers, the Infineon MMICs contain all high-frequency components, like oscillators, transmission amplifiers and reception branches with low-noise amplifiers and I/Q mixers. Hella’s radar system thereby becomes smaller, more affordable and it consumes less power. Infineon’s 24-GHz chip family moreover enables a custom-fit configuration of the hardware, depending on the system environment and application field.

In the 24-GHz radar system for controlling the blind spot in the rear section, Hella and Infineon deliver an efficient and reliable product to an automotive market that more than ever demands driving safety and operating comfort. By the year 2020, the number of worldwide installed, radar-supported driver assistance systems is to rise from presently about 14 million to more than 40 million; the Blind Spot Detection system plays a decisive role in this context (Strategy Analytics 2013). The third generation of Hella’s radar module will be available from now on in series production and as optional equipment in any vehicle and model class, even outside of the premium segment.

About HELLA

HELLA KGaA Hueck & Co. is a globally positioned, independent, family-owned company with 30,000 employees and more than 100 sites in over 35 countries. The HELLA Group develops and manufactures components and systems in lighting technology and electronic products for the automobile industry and has one of the largest retail organizations for vehicle parts, accessories and diagnostics in Europe. Furthermore, complete vehicle modules, air-conditioning and on-board network systems are produced in joint ventures. With more than 5,800 employees in research and development, HELLA is one of the biggest innovation drivers in the market. In addition, the HELLA Group is among the top 50 of the automotive suppliers around the world and one of the largest German industrial enterprises with a preliminary sales result of rounded 5.3 billion euro in the business year 2013/2014.

Infineon Technologies AG is a world leader in semiconductors. Infineon offers products and system solutions addressing three central challenges to modern society: energy efficiency, mobility, and security. In the 2014 fiscal year (ending September 30), the company reported sales of Euro 4.3 billion with about 29,800 employees worldwide. In January 2015, Infineon acquired US-based International Rectifier Corporation, a leading provider of power management technology, with revenues of USD 1.1 billion (fiscal year 2014 ending June 29) and approximately 4,200 employees.

Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX) and in the USA on the over-the-counter market OTCQX International Premier (ticker symbol: IFNNY).