What is Radar MMIC : Features & Top Manufacturers

A Radar MMIC (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit) is a semiconductor device that integrates RF and microwave functions required for radar signal transmission, reception, amplification, and processing. Radar MMICs offer compact size, low power consumption, high frequency operation, and improved reliability for modern radar systems.

Radar MMIC is an IC specifically designed for radar systems. This MMIC operates at higher frequencies usually in millimeter and microwave range from few GHz to 100 GHz or more. This MMIC integrates multiple radar signal processing functions on a single chip.

Components & their functions

Radar MMIC houses several components including one or more of the following.

• LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) : It is used to provide amplification to weak signal without amplifying noise part.
• PA (Power Amplifier) : It is used to provide boost to the signal before transmission into air.
• RF Mixers : It is used for signal conversion from lower frequency to higher and vice versa.
• Phase Shifters : Used in beamforming and phased array radars
• Switches : Used to provide transmit/receive path control
• Oscillators & Frequency Multipliers : Used for generation of radar signals.

Applications

• Automotive radar (24 GHz, 60 GHz, 77 GHz)
• Weather and aviation radar
• Satellite based synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
• Industrial sensing (e.g., drone detection, perimeter security)
• Military and defense radar (X-band, Ku-band, Ka-band)

Radar MMIC Vendors and Manufacturers

Vendor	Radar MMIC with key features
Infineon Technologies, AG	Part no : CTRX8191F , Features : 28nm , built-in digital PLL, higher performance, better SNR, Check out website for more information.
Analog Devices	24 GHz Tx MMIC (Part no : ADF5901), 24 GHz Rx MMIC (Part no : ADF5904) and 13 GHz PLL (ADF4159), Evaluation board is available to test these MMICs
MACOM	The company offers variety of radar specific MMICs in different frequency bands such as C-band, X-Band etc. The GaN-on-SiC based MMICs offer higher power output, efficiency and gain.
NXP Semiconductors	Part no : SAF86XX is Radar SoC which operates in the range 76 to 81 GHz.
Sameer (R&D), INDIA	Indigenous radar MMIC design and prototyping
Astra Microwave Products Ltd. INDIA	Radar modules and RF front end including MMICs

Summary

Radar MMICs integrate microwave and RF functions into compact semiconductor devices for radar applications. Leading manufacturers develop MMICs for automotive radar, defense systems, aerospace platforms, and advanced sensing technologies.