NXP Enables Motion Detection with Trimension UWB radar

What's new: NXP Semiconductors has announced a further expansion of its TrimensionTM portfolio with the industry’s first single-chip solution to combine both UWB radar and fine ranging capabilities. The integration of UWB radar enables devices to sense their environment, as well as range to other UWB-enabled devices. This makes it easier and more cost-effective to bring motion sensitivity, including presence detection, vital signs monitoring and gesture recognition, to mobile, Internet of Things (IoT) and automotive applications.

Why it matters: Ultra-fine motion detection enabled by UWB radar can help advance safety, as well as convenience, in both the smart home and automotive markets. For example, a smart baby monitor with UWB radar could detect a sleeping baby’s breathing and send parents an alert if patterns change. In the automotive market, the technology can be used to help protect against hot car tragedies, a problem that is being addressed by NCAP guidelines and the U.S. Hot Car Act, which require that safety alerts be sent when a child is left in the backseat.

More details: “Ultra-fine motion detection enabled by UWB radar offers new levels of safety and convenience for use cases as serious as alerting drivers to a baby in the backseat to one as simple as changing the TV channel with a gesture,” said Rafael Sotomayor, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Connectivity and Security, NXP Semiconductors. “The expansion of our Trimension portfolio includes single-chip solutions that combine the capabilities of UWB radar and ranging, to make it easier for developers in IoT, mobile and automotive markets to quickly integrate highly accurate, highly precise motion detection.”

The expanded portfolio includes the Trimension SR160 for IoT applications and forthcoming Trimension devices for mobile and automotive applications. Together, these new devices are helping to expand the UWB ecosystem into new applications and use cases.