NXP Semiconductors’ new Trimension NCJ29D6 is an automotive single-chip ultra-wideband (UWB) family that allows OEMs to use a single system for multiple use cases. The UWB IC family provides real-time secure car access and in-cabin sensing for child presence detection, seat belt reminder, intrusion alerts and kick sensor for automatic trunk opening as well as gesture recognition. The chips also reduce system cost and deliver greater system performance.
(Source: NXP Semiconductors)
The new family is comprised of the highly integrated NCJ29D6B UWB device for secure car access, delivering enhanced ranging performance, reduced system costs, higher security and turn-key software, and the pin-to-pin compatible NCJ29D6A, claimed as the industry’s first automotive device that combines both ranging and short-range UWB radar in a single chip with an integrated MCU.
The multi-purpose platform enables OEMs to transform a single UWB-based car access system into a fully flexible platform that enables many use cases using the same hardware. OEMs can eliminate redundant systems and reduce cost, space and weight, NXP said, while additional features can be implemented through software updates, reducing total cost of ownership, while getting new features to market faster.
The NCJ29D6B features hands-free car access through a digital key on a UWB-enabled mobile phone. Delivering several performance enhancements, the device provides higher RF sensitivity and two simultaneous operating receiver chains that support antenna diversity and angle-of-arrival concepts that detect small changes in distance or direction of movement of other UWB-enabled devices. With a focus on system cost, it also features increased CPU performance, a larger memory size and high levels of integration, including an integrated digital CAN transceiver. Pin-to-pin compatibility extends the location features with short-range UWB radar.
Expectations are that cybersecurity and physical attacks will continue to increase. The new family enables integrated security capabilities that exceed the existing ISO21434 Cyber Security Requirements. CCC MAC and FiRa MAC offer standard compatible UWB ranging protocols that dock directly to the customer application software, enabling and simplifying AUTOSAR architectures, NXP said.
Automotive OEM and Tier 1 use cases are expected in model year 2025 vehicles. Evaluation and development boards for the Trimension NCJ29D6 include the TE Antenna Board for UWB Applications and Vivaldi Antenna for UWB Applications.
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