Abstract: A radar semiconductor chip includes a ramp signal generator and a sequencer. The ramp signal generator generates a frequency-modulated ramp signal including a ramp scenario having two consecutive portions demarked by a decision point. A first portion includes at least one first frequency ramp defined by a first value of a ramp parameter. The second portion includes at least one second frequency ramp defined by a second value or by a third value of the ramp parameter. The sequencer controls the ramp signal generator to generate the at least one second frequency ramp with the second value of the ramp parameter, based on an indicator not being received prior to the decision point. The sequencer controls the ramp signal generator to generate the at least one second frequency ramp with the third value of the ramp parameter, based on the indicator being received prior to the decision point.

Abstract: A radar semiconductor chip includes a ramp signal generator configured to generate a frequency-modulated ramp signal comprising a plurality of frequency ramps of a ramp scenario; a first memory configured to store a sequencing program associated with generating the frequency-modulated ramp signal; a second memory configured to store a firmware program corresponding to a firmware opcode of the sequencing program; a sequencer configured to derive control values for a plurality of ramp parameters based on a plurality of ramp opcodes of the sequencing program, provide the control values to the ramp signal generator, and provide a start signal to start an execution of a firmware call in response to reading the firmware opcode; and a central processing unit configured to receive the start signal from the sequencer and, in response to the start signal, execute the firmware program from the second memory in parallel to the ramp scenario.

Abstract: A radar semiconductor chip includes a radar circuit component configured to generate at least part of a frequency-modulated ramp signal or process at least part of a reflected frequency-modulated ramp signal according to a control parameter; a memory configured to store a sequencing program associated with regulating the control parameter, wherein the sequencing program specifies a first data source, external to the sequencing program, that is configured to provide a first data value corresponding to the control parameter; and a decoder configured to read the sequencing program, access the first data value from the first data source specified by the sequencing program, derive a first control value for the control parameter from the first data value, and provide the first control value to the radar circuit component. The radar circuit component regulates a controlled circuit function in accordance with the control parameter based on the first control value.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip comprising at least one transmit channel and/or at least one receive channel for radar signals and also a sequencing circuit is proposed. In this case, the sequencing circuit is configured centrally to determine a sequencing scheme for time-dependent functions of the transmit channel and/or of the receive channel and to drive circuit elements of the transmit channel and/or of the receive channel in accordance with the sequencing scheme.

Abstract: A radar device may include a memory to store a program associated with operating the radar device. The radar device may include a decoder to read the program from the memory, and generate a control value and a timestamp based at least in part on the program. The control value may be a value to be provided as an input to a component of the radar device at a time indicated by the timestamp. The radar device may include a first-in first-out (FIFO) buffer to store at least the control value and provide the control value as the input to the component of the radar device at the time indicated by the timestamp.

Abstract: An apparatus is described that, according to an exemplary embodiment, has an RF oscillator for generating an RF oscillator signal at a first frequency and a frequency divider having a division ratio that is fixed during operation. The frequency divider is supplied with the RF oscillator signal and is configured to provide an oscillator signal at a second frequency. The apparatus further has a monitor circuit, to which the oscillator signal at the second frequency is supplied and which is configured to measure the second frequency and to provide at least one digital value that is dependent on the second frequency of the oscillator signal. The at least one digital value is provided on a test contact.

Abstract: One example of a radar device includes a phase-locked loop for generating a radiofrequency signal. The phase-locked loop has a multi-modulus divider. The radar device furthermore comprises a delta-sigma modulator for generating a modulated signal for the multi-modulus divider, and a signal generator for generating an input signal for the delta-sigma modulator. The radar device has monitoring circuits, wherein a first monitoring circuit is configured to monitor a locked state of the phase-locked loop, a second monitoring circuit is configured to monitor the delta-sigma modulator, and a third monitoring circuit is configured to monitor the signal generator.

Abstract: The description below relates to a method for a radar sensor. According to one example implementation, the method comprises receiving configuration data and storing the received configuration data in a first radar chip having multiple transmission channels. The configuration data contain multiple parameter sets for a chirp sequence and association information representing an association of a respective chirp of the chirp sequence with one of the multiple parameter sets. The method further comprises receiving a trigger signal in the first radar chip. The trigger signal indicates the beginning of a respective chirp of the chirp sequence. The transmission channels mentioned are repeatedly configured in sync with the trigger signal, wherein for each chirp of the chirp sequence the transmission channels are configured according to the respective association information.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip comprising at least one transmit channel and/or at least one receive channel for radar signals and also a sequencing circuit is proposed. In this case, the sequencing circuit is configured centrally to determine a sequencing scheme for time-dependent functions of the transmit channel and/or of the receive channel and to drive circuit elements of the transmit channel and/or of the receive channel in accordance with the sequencing scheme.

Abstract: An apparatus is described that, according to an exemplary embodiment, has an RF oscillator for generating an RF oscillator signal at a first frequency and a frequency divider having a division ratio that is fixed during operation. The frequency divider is supplied with the RF oscillator signal and is configured to provide an oscillator signal at a second frequency. The apparatus further has a monitor circuit, to which the oscillator signal at the second frequency is supplied and which is configured to measure the second frequency and to provide at least one digital value that is dependent on the second frequency of the oscillator signal. The at least one digital value is provided on a test contact.