Texas Instruments (TI) has introduced a new generation of radar sensors and automotive audio processors that support edge AI

Texas Instruments has introduced a new integrated automotive chip that helps drivers and passengers of vehicles at all price points achieve a safer and more immersive driving experience. The TI AWRL6844 60GHz millimeter wave radar sensor supports occupancy detection for seat belt reminder systems, child detection in the car, and intrusion detection through a single chip running edge AI algorithms, enabling a safer driving environment. With TI's next generation audio DSP core, AM275x-Q1 MCU and AM62D-Q1 processor, you can get a high-quality audio experience more affordably. Combined with TI's new analog products, including the TAS6754-Q1 Class D audio amplifier, engineers can obtain a complete audio amplification system solution.

"Whether it's entry-level or luxury, whether it's fuel or electric, today's drivers expect a better in-car experience from these vehicles," said Amichai Ron, TI's senior vice president of embedded processing. "TI continues to deliver innovative technologies designed to drive the development and improvement of the future car driving experience. Our edge AI radar sensors help automakers improve vehicle safety and respond quickly to driver movements and needs, while our on-chip audio systems enhance driving pleasure by providing a more immersive audio experience. Together, they create a new in-car experience."

Three-in-one radar sensors that support edge AI improve detection accuracy

Original equipment Manufacturers (Oems) are continuously integrating more sensor technologies into vehicle designs to enhance the in-car experience and meet evolving safety standards. Using TI's Edge AI-enabled AWRL6844 60GHz mmwave radar sensor, engineers were able to integrate three in-car detection functions to replace multiple sensor technologies (e.g., seat weight sensing pads and ultrasonic sensors).

The AWRL6844 integrates four transmitters and four receivers to provide high-resolution inspection data and is cost optimized for OEM use. The collected data is fed into application-specific AI-driven algorithms that run on customizable on-chip hardware accelerators and DSPS, enabling improved decision accuracy and faster data processing. The edge intelligence features of the AWRL6844 sensor help enhance the driving experience, such as:

1.During driving, the sensor detects and locates occupants with 98% accuracy, enabling seat belt alerts.

2.After parking, it uses neural network technology to monitor whether there are unattended children in the car, and can detect tiny movements in the car in real time, with a classification accuracy of more than 90%. This direct detection technology can help Oems meet the design requirements of the European New Vehicle Safety Assessment Association (Euro NCAP) 2025.

3.When the vehicle is parked, it ADAPTS to different environments through intelligent scanning technology, thereby reducing false positives caused by body shaking and the movement of external objects.

TI's complete audio product portfolio delivers the best automotive audio experience

As drivers' expectations for the in-car experience continue to rise across all vehicle types, Oems are looking to deliver high-quality audio while minimizing design complexity and system costs. The AM275x-Q1 MCU and AM62D-Q1 processor reduce the number of components required for automotive audio amplifier systems by integrating TI's vector-based C7x DSP core, Arm® core, memory, audio networking, and hardware security modules into a functional safety compliant SoC. The C7x core is combined with the matrix multiplication accelerator to form a neural processing unit for both traditional audio algorithms and edge AI-based audio algorithms. These automotive audio SOCs are scalable, allowing designers to choose from entry-level to high-end systems based on varying memory and performance needs, with minimal redesign and no significant investment required.

TI's next-generation C7x DSP core delivers more than four times the processing performance of other audio DSPS, allowing audio engineers to handle more audio functions simultaneously on a single processor core. The AM275x-Q1 MCU and AM62D-Q1 processor feature spatial audio, active noise cancellation, sound synthesis, and advanced in-vehicle networking capabilities, including Ethernet audio-video bridging, enabling an immersive audio experience in the car.

To further optimize automotive audio design, engineers can use TI's TAS6754-Q1 audio amplifier, which uses innovative 1L modulation technology to achieve excellent audio performance and low power consumption, with half the amount of inductance required to be compared to existing Class D amplifiers. The TAS67xx-Q1 family of devices integrates real-time load diagnostics required by Oems to help engineers simplify designs, reduce costs and increase efficiency, while maintaining audio quality.