Infineon launches XENSIV radar sensor for healthcare and consumer electronics

Infineon Technologies introduces the new XENSIV 60 GHz radar sensor BGT60UTR11AIP. With a compact size of only 16 mm², it’s the smallest 60 GHz radar sensor with antennas in package (AIP) on the market and is specifically designed for integration into the smallest devices.

This makes the sensor ideal for vital sensing (heart and respiratory rate) and healthcare devices such as baby monitors and sleep trackers. It’s also suitable for consumer electronics such as laptops, TVs and cameras, as well as smart home and building devices such as air conditioners, thermostats, and smart doorbells. The radar sensor can also be used in industrial applications including robotics and tank-level measurement.

The monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) is based on Infineon’s B11 SiGe BiCMOS technology, which ensures excellent radio frequency (RF) performance. The chip features an ultra-wide bandwidth of 5.6 GHz and a ramp speed of 400 MHz/µs. As a result, the sensor enables high-resolution frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) operation with sensitive presence and motion detection at a range of up to 15 m (50 ft).

In addition, the sensor enables precise distance measurement, 1D gesture and vital sign detection, all with sub-mm motion detection capabilities. The integrated antennas provide a ±60° field of view. In addition, an integrated state machine enables real-time data acquisition without processor interaction. The MMIC also includes a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with a sampling rate of up to 4 MSPS (mega samples per second).

The MMIC’s built-in broadcast mode allows multiple chips to be synchronized. It also includes on-chip sensors for measuring Tx output power and temperature. Additionally, the sensor features ultra-low power operation enabled by hardware deep sleep mode. Its high integration level makes this MMIC ideal for optimizing system costs.