RadarCam® 24GHz Radar & Camera Blind Spot Detection System

Blind-spot monitoring (BSM) is an advanced safety feature that alerts drivers when there is a vehicle in a car’s blindspot. BSM is standard in many new car models, although some automakers offer it only as an additional feature sold as a part of a package for an extra cost.

Some manufacturers use different names for BSM — like blind-spot detection, blind-spot information system and others. Even if it’s called something different, the systems all perform the same safety function of alerting drivers to objects in blind spots.

Radar is a radio-wave-based object detecting technology. The following are some of the advantages of radar:

• Outdoor use that is dependable. Radar sensors are impervious to wind, rain, snow, fog, and sunshine. They are less sensitive to temperature variations and can work in a wider temperature range than other technologies.

• Its long sensing range allows for versatile installation.

• They’re more durable and need less downtime.

Kocchi’s provides two radar frequencies: 24 GHz and 77 GHz. The 24 GHz has a larger range and is more resistant to environmental factors, but it has significantly coarser precision. The 77 GHz offers superior accuracy, can see a broader range of targets and is weather resistant.

Radar sensors and camera images are an excellent choice for applications requiring the detection of a vehicle or the avoidance of a collision when moving equipment. Radar, for example, can be used for:

• Vehicle detection in traffic and parking applications, toll booths, loading docks, drive-thrus, shipping canals, and railroads (including automobiles, trucks, and trains).

• Avoiding collisions in ports and manufacturing (i.e. overhead and gantry cranes)

• On-board mobile equipment collision prevention (i.e., reach stackers, forklifts, and mining vehicles)

• Avoiding collisions in low-visibility manufacturing situations (i.e., overhead bridge cranes)

• Level measurement through steam or dust, where ultrasonic may struggle

• Provide consistent position input (i.e., reach stackers or ground support equipment like baggage handlers or de-icing vehicles)

The things that a radar sensor can detect are determined by the sensor’s operating frequency and the material’s dialectric constant.

Lower frequency sensors (24 GHz) need a greater dialectric constant, such as metal or huge quantities of water. Higher frequency sensors (77GHz) can see a lot more, including non-ferrous objects like glass, wood, and other organic materials.

No, Kocchi’s radar sensors employ Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW), which can identify both stationary and moving objects. When compared to stationary targets, moving targets offer more strong reflections.

A higher frequency radar sensor (77GHz) will identify people more reliably, but it is not designed for use in personnel detection as a safety-rated instrument. If a human is close to the sensor and inside the sensor’s direct field of vision, he or she may interfere with sensing the intended target, depending on the sensor’s sensitivity settings.

Kocchi’s 24 GHz radar sensors typically have a “dead zone” of 0.4 meters for moving targets and 1 meter for stationary targets. Depending on whether the sensor is adjustable field or retro-reflective, this signifies something different.

Radar sensors can withstand harsh temperatures, falling snow, fog, heavy rain, humidity, and strong winds. They are also resistant to errors caused by sunlight. They have no moving components and are not affected by vibration from adjacent traffic or heavy machinery.

Weather shields are also available to keep rain and snow from accumulating on the sensor’s face. If the application calls for it, the sensor can be housed in a specific fiberglass housing (radar can transmit through some materials).

Adjusting the sensitivity or signal strength thresholds can likewise be utilized to disregard adverse environmental circumstances.

Yes, radar sensors can be effectively used outdoors. The housings are rated IP67 for reliable operation in harsh environments.

Consider both the vertical and horizontal beam patterns while installing the sensor. You may wish to rotate the sensor 90 degrees to lower the sensor’s field of vision and therefore avoid unwanted reflections.

Kocchi’s radar sensors are approved for use in a variety of countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, China, Australia, and New Zealand. Additional permissions are awaited. Specific requests should be sent to Kocchi’s team.