The automotive radar transceiver using the RFCMOS process integrates 8 transmitting channels and 8 receiving 

channels, enabling the realization of a new-generation imaging radar sensor with up to 576 antenna channels. It 

provides comprehensive support for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving 

applications. 

Latest developments

NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) announced the launch of its third-generation RFCMOS automotive 

radar transceiver TEF8388. This is a highly integrated 8-transmitter 8-receiver (8T8R) device, designed to fully 

unleash the potential of imaging radar in L2+ to L4 level ADAS and autonomous driving systems. In the era of 

Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV), advanced perception systems have become a key enabling technology, and 

high-resolution radar perception is one of its fundamental technologies. Radar sensors not only need to provide 

higher resolution, stronger dynamic range, and longer detection range, but also must meet the requirements 

of large-scale mass production. 

This new transceiver is a key building block in NXP's comprehensive and scalable radar perception solution 

portfolio, designed to meet the growing demand of the industry for robust perception capabilities in increasingly 

complex driving environments. Combined with NXP's radar processing solutions (such as the S32R4 series radar 

processors), TEF8388 can form an expandable imaging radar solution, meeting the diverse performance, cost, 

and regulatory requirements of the global market. 

Significance 

Driver automation remains the primary development direction for global automakers and their primary suppliers. 

As the automotive industry continues to pursue more advanced radar performance, the challenges have shifted 

beyond being merely technical issues to system-level challenges. In the past, higher channel counts often meant 

higher power consumption, higher costs, and more complex system integration, thereby slowing down the 

speed of technology implementation and large-scale application. NXP's latest radar transceiver TEF8388 breaks 

this trade-off, achieving outstanding RF performance while also providing excellent energy efficiency and system 

cost optimization, making high-performance imaging radar a feasible and sustainable choice for the next 

generation of ADAS development projects. 

FORVIA HELLA is applying NXP's advanced radar transceiver technology as a key building block in its 

next-generation radar sensor solution. Its first global imaging radar mass production project has been established

at a major global automotive manufacturer - using TEF8388 and S32R47 - and the full vehicle project will achieve 

mass production in the middle of 2028. 

Felix Schmauch, the head of FORVIA HELLA's global autonomous driving product center, said: "High-resolution 

radar is a key technology for advanced ADAS and autonomous driving functions. However, to achieve the 

required performance in large-scale applications, close system-level collaboration is necessary. NXP's latest 

radar chip technology enables us to combine high-resolution radar with an efficient and量产-ready system 

design， thereby supporting its reliable and cost-effective deployment in next-generation vehicles." 

Meindert van den Beld, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Radar and ADAS Division at NXP 

Semiconductors, said: "Imaging radar can only become the cornerstone of advanced ADAS and autonomous 

driving systems when it can be deployed on a large scale. With the TEF8388, we are helping automakers enhance 

the performance of radar to new levels and accelerate the deployment of safer and higher-level autonomous 

driving functions in their entire range of vehicles." 

More details

This new type of radar transceiver integrates 8 transmitting channels and 8 receiving channels on a single 

monolithic RFCMOS chip. While achieving outstanding RF performance, its power consumption level is 

comparable to that of current 3-transmit 4-receive devices. Through a meticulously designed architecture, 

optimized pin allocation, and the rational layout of the RF launch structure (launcher), this device not only 

improves channel isolation and signal quality but also further reduces the overall system material cost. 

These design optimizations enable automotive manufacturers and first-tier suppliers to create higher-resolution 

radar sensors while reducing the required high-cost power and thermal management components. 

System Solution 

This transceiver is designed to seamlessly integrate with NXP's radar processing solutions, forming an 

expandable product portfolio that supports various radar configurations ranging from 8T8R to 32T32R. 

This system-level solution enables automotive manufacturers to customize radar performance according to 

regional regulatory requirements and vehicle market segments. At the same time, by relying on a single trusted 

semiconductor partner, they can obtain one-stop support from RF transceivers, radar processing, to vehicle 

networks (such as CAN and Ethernet), as well as power management, thus simplifying the development process 

and accelerating the launch of next-generation advanced driver assistance systems. 

Industry showcase and live demonstrations

NXP and FORVIA HELLA showcased their joint solutions at the Tech.AD Europe exhibition held in Berlin from 

March 23rd to 24th, including a technical presentation and a joint live driving demonstration that showcased 

the actual performance of the radar system.