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Radar sensors are one of the five types of ADAS sensors, playing a vital role in driver assistance and safety. They use radio waves to assess the perceived distance of other objects, and are often used for blind spot detection (BSD), collision mitigation (CM), lane change assistance (LC)A, and parking aid (PA) features.
With many cars today using a combination of short-range, mid-range, and long-range automotive radar sensors, it’s essential for repair shops to understand how to offer ADAS calibration properly after qualifying events.
The pros and cons of ADAS radar sensors
ADAS radar sensors have distinct advantages and disadvantages.
The pros of radar sensors compared to other ADAS sensors include:
- They function well at all times of the day, regardless of light conditions, making it an all-hour and all-weather solution.
- They’re effective at determining whether or not another object is stationary.
- They can detect multiple objects simultaneously.
The biggest con of radar sensors, however, is that they don’t have high resolution at a far range. They may have trouble, for example, determining whether a nearby object is a dumpster or a large vehicle, which can sometimes trigger unnecessary alerts.
Radar sensors compared to other ADAS sensors
ADAS systems use multiple types of sensors to create comprehensive safety functionality. It’s important for mechanics to understand how radar sensors on cars compare to other types of sensors.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Radar sensors:
Function: Use radio waves to detect distance and object location
Pros: Function despite weather or light conditions
Cons: Difficulty accurately identifying some objects at far range
LiDar sensors:
Function: Uses light from a laser to calculate object distance
Pros: High resolution at range resulting in accurate object detection and modeling
Cons: Difficulty functioning in poor weather
Camera sensors
Function: Uses image or video sensors to assist drivers with tasks like parking or lane detection
Pros: High resolution images, can detect colors or 2D shapes most accurately
Cons: Performance subjective to driving conditions, with potential poor visibility during low-visibility weather or the risk of being blinded by sunlight. May not be as accurate at detecting distances compared to other systems
Sonar sensors
Function: Uses sound waves for object detection
Pros: Low cost and strong ability to detect close objects even in tight spaces
Cons: Short detection ranges, and potential difficulty accurately detecting small or soft objects. Performance may also be impacted by significant surrounding noise
Let’s take a closer look at the differences between the different types of ADAS sensors, and how they each have unique pros and cons.
ADAS radar sensors compared to LiDar sensors
Radar sensors use radio waves to detect an object’s distance and location, while LiDar sensors use light. Radar sensors are typically more effective during poor visibility or inclement weather compared to LiDar sensors, though LiDar can offer higher accuracy at a further range.
ADAS radar sensors compared to camera sensors
Camera sensors play a vital role in many ADAS features that drivers use regularly, including parking assistance, emergency braking assistance, and blind spot monitoring.
They offer the highest resolution images and can detect 2D shapes accurately, but they’re highly susceptible to poorer performance during low-visibility weather. They can also be blinded by direct sunlight even in good weather.
ADAS radar sensors compared to sonar sensors
Sonar sensors work similarly to car radar systems, but use sound waves instead of radio waves. These sensors are relatively low cost to install, and they are particularly adept at detecting close objects nearby, even in tight spaces.
However, sonar sensors have shorter detection ranges than car radar systems, and they may struggle to detect small or soft objects. It’s also important to consider that the accuracy of the system may be impacted by significant external noise surrounding the vehicle.
Common calibrations needed for ADAS radar sensors
If radar sensors aren’t calibrated correctly, they can provide inaccurate readings. This may result in inaccurate steering, driver alerts, or braking interventions either too early or too late, which can directly impact driver safety.
Most current radar in automotive systems are not self-calibrating, requiring recalibration in circumstances such as the following:
- Structural repairs.
- Sensor removal or replacement.
- Removal of the front bumper or grille.
- Motor vehicle accidents.
ADAS radar sensor calibration requires specialized equipment and in-depth training, so auto shops, mechanics, and calibration shops that can offer this service will stand out.
There are multiple components that make up automotive radar systems:
- Antennas, which transmit and receive radio waves.
- High-frequency radio circuits, which transmit and receive millimeter radio waves.
- Transceivers, which are devices or circuits that communicate with external equipment using CAN communication.
- Microcomputers (MCUs), which give control instructions to external computer systems.
- DC/DC converters, which convert voltage from a battery into the type of voltage that other circuits or components need.
Radar sensor calibration with Revv
ADAS calibration can be complex, and radar sensor calibration is no exception.
Revv offers AI-powered ADAS calibration reporting, identifying every billable ADAS procedure to increase your shop’s profit and help your team deliver thorough and accurate calibrations to customers.
Automate the addition of customer services based on Account or Make, with Revv’s comprehensive vehicle coverage that supports data for extensive makes and models dating as far back as the year 2000. You can assess VINs quickly to identify both optional and equipped ADAS features alongside mandated OEM calibrations, procedure, and requirement links. re an additional $1,250 per job on average
Offer ADAS calibration services to your customers and increase billable work with Revv. Book a live demo to see how it works today.
