High-Density Automotive Radar Antenna

September 11, 2019
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By Shlomit Hacohen

=== TABLE OF CONTENTS (Q&A Format) ===

1. What makes the Phoenix High-Density Antenna a “technological breakthrough”? While traditional radars use a handful of channels, the Phoenix antenna is the densest array in the industry. It packs 48 transmitting (Tx) and 48 receiving (Rx) channels into a compact 14×11 cm form factor. This enables 2,304 virtual channels, providing a level of detail that is 100 times higher than current market solutions.

2. How does the antenna improve pedestrian and cyclist safety?
Because of its ultra-high resolution, the antenna can “separate” a person from a nearby sidewalk or a stationary guardrail. Most radars see a single “blob,” but the Phoenix antenna can identify a pedestrian even if they are standing perfectly still or are partially obscured by a parked car.

3. What are the key performance specs (Azimuth, Elevation, Range)?

  • Azimuth Resolution: 1° (Industry-leading horizontal precision)
  • Elevation Resolution: 1.7° to 2° (Critical for distinguishing overpasses from road hazards)
  • Field of View (FoV): 100° Azimuth / 30° Elevation
  • Long Range: Currently 350 meters, with future hardware releases projected to reach 400 meters.

4. Why is “Elevation” resolution the antenna’s secret weapon?
Elevation sensing allows the radar to perceive height.This means a vehicle can drive with confidence under a bridge or into a tunnel while still being able to detect a low-profile hazard, like a lost tire or a small child, in its path. Traditional “2D” radars often fail here, causing “phantom braking.”

5. How does the antenna fit into existing car designs?
Despite its massive channel count, the antenna is designed to match the size of standard radar units used today. Its sleek, compact design allows it to be hidden behind a car’s grill or headlight, maintaining the vehicle’s aesthetics while providing “super-sensor” capabilities.

6. How does the high channel count eliminate “False Alarms”?
A high number of physical channels creates a significantly higher Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). This allows the radar to filter out random “ghost” reflections (false positives) that typically cause autonomous systems to brake unexpectedly for no reason.

7. What is the latest update on the NVIDIA partnership?
As of January 2026, the raw data from this antenna array is now fully integrated with NVIDIA accelerated computing. At CES 2026, Arbe demonstrated that this antenna provides the “detection density” (20,000+ points per frame) required for NVIDIA’s AI perception stacks to enable true eyes-off highway driving at speeds up to 130 km/h.

8. Which Tier-1 suppliers are bringing this antenna to market?
Arbe’s antenna technology is being integrated by global Tier-1s, including:

  • HiRain Technologies (China): Using the chipset in their LRR610 radar.
  • Magna International: Integrating Arbe’s high-density tech into their global ADAS offerings.
  • Weifu High-Tech: Mass-producing 4D imaging radar systems for the Asian market.

9. When will we see this antenna in mass-produced vehicles?
A major milestone was reached in December 2025: a China-based state-owned automaker selected the HiRain LRR610 (powered by Arbe) for its Level 4 autonomous vehicle program. The Start of Production (SOP) is scheduled for December 2026, with thousands of vehicles expected on the road by 2027.

10. How does this antenna support “Vision Zero”?
By providing a wide 140° FoV in certain configurations and a nearly 0% false alarm rate, the antenna acts as the ultimate “first line of defense.” It can detect a cyclist emerging from a side street long before they enter the vehicle’s direct path, making it the foundational sensor for achieving zero-fatality safety ratings (NCAP).

=== TL;DR ===

  • Densest Array on Earth: 48 Tx and 48 Rx channels create 2,304 virtual channels, delivering a “2K” HD radar image.
  • Pedestrian Protection: Ultra-high resolution allows the radar to “see” a person standing next to a wall or car,something legacy radars consistently fail to do.
  • Compact & Stealthy: At just 14×11 cm, it fits into standard grill spaces, proving that elite safety doesn’t have to come in a bulky package.
  • 2026 Highway Pilot: Integrated with NVIDIA DRIVE, this antenna is the key to L3 “eyes-off” driving, offering a reliable 350-meter range even at 130 km/h.
  • L4 Commercialization: Mass production begins in December 2026 for a major Chinese L4 program, marking the antenna’s transition from a “breakthrough” to a global standard.

Why our new antenna is a breakthrough in ADAS safety and autonomous driving.

Arbe, the provider of a next-generation radar system offering ADAS and autonomous vehicles high-resolution radar 100 times more detailed than any available solution, today announced the launch of the first radar antenna designed to protect pedestrians by detecting fast-moving or stationary objects at long range, in daylight or at night, and in any weather conditions. The new Phoenix High-density Antenna is the densest antenna array available, with a form factor designed to perfectly fit automakers’ current specifications. With the largest number of channels, widest field of view, and highest resolution on the market, Arbe’s radar antenna delivers the unprecedented ability to detect people separate them from the sidewalk or roadside, breaking new ground in ADAS and AV safety.

Field-tested on steep and curving roads and sidewalks, the Phoenix High-density Antenna has been proven to detect both small objects like pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles, and large objects like vehicles of all sizes, as well as stationary objects like guardrails, road obstacles and parked cars, whether in daylight or darkness and in rain, fog, or snow. Arbe’s solution provides OEMs and tier-one automotive manufacturers with the most advanced radar in the market, featuring the highest resolution, low power consumption per channel, and highest sensitivity.

At 14-by-11 centimeters, the Phoenix High-density Antenna is easily integrated within the space designed for basic radar units in vehicles today, without the limitations on size, power consumption, and cost that compromise safety in other solutions. The system utilizes the full space, receiving and transmitting 96 channels, eliminating the common problem of false alarm that current radars are suffering from in the industry. In achieving that optimal form factor, the Arbe antenna surpassed a critical technological milestone. Size is important to automakers also because it’s aesthetically pleasing to car owners, as the radar is hidden behind the grill or headlight.

Other key features that reduce the risk to pedestrians include high resolution at 1-degree azimuth and 2-degree elevation—an industry first; a wide field of view (FoV) at 100 to 140-degree azimuth and 30-degree elevation; and a long range currently at 250 meters and projected to reach a remarkable 400 meters in future releases.

These superior specifications enable the Phoenix High-Density Antenna to overcome the limitations of typical radars. That is, high resolution and a wide FoV in elevation allow the radar to focus on both moving and stationary objects at the same time, making it easier to distinguish people from the ground they’re standing on, while a broader FoV in azimuth makes it possible to see what’s happening on the sides of the road. Also, the high channel count is critical to eliminate false alarms created in the current radar designs due to their low density.

According to Arbe CEO Kobi Marenko, the Phoenix radar system is a vital addition to the sensor suite that vehicles with high standard of safety require.

“OEMs today are challenged to meet stricter safety standards set by the New Car Assessment Program, and they’ll need to raise their ADAS levels without compromising safety. This opens the door to new revenue-generating features like autonomous emergency steering and braking, adaptive cruise control with autonomous lane changes, and, most importantly, pedestrian and cyclist safety. Our imaging radar is the first in the industry to address all of these concerns—and with a revolution in the false alarms rate, a major concern for automakers.” 

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