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The evolution of ADAS Radar: how 3D waveguide antennas are driving safer, smarter vehicles.


Written by 

Francesco Merli

VP of Wireless Connectivity

Radar Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have evolved at a transformative pace over the last decade. What began as a niche sending technology deployed only in premium vehicles has now become a foundational component for safety architectures. 


In fact, 65% of newly manufactured vehicles now incorporate at least one ADAS feature, underscoring the growing reliance on radar sensing technologies and critical hardware. This includes the latest antenna systems, that enable accurate detection, range, and environmental awareness.  


Building on over two decades of expertise in high-frequency antenna design, HUBER+SUHNER has expanded into automotive radar and continues to advance its capabilities, enabling robust and scalable solutions for next-generation ADAS. 

Early radar success 

Our innovation in the field of mm-wave backhaul applications – providing fibre-like wireless connectivity by connecting small cells to core networks – first began in 2010. Then we developed radar antenna prototypes in close collaboration with MMIC partners six years later, introducing Tier 1 manufacturers to the true potential of 3D waveguide technology. 


At the same time, ADAS technology has advanced, and is no longer reliant on single-sensor inputs to integrate complementary systems like radar, LiDAR, and cameras. Instead, systems are backed up by on-board computing and part-AI driven perception algorithms. This has made line departure warnings and object detection more accurate, but has brought its own unique set of challenges.  


Issues remain around physical packaging and electromagnetic compatibility, while every sensor must be seamlessly integrated into the vehicle architecture. If they are not, the chances of interference increases, while imperfect integrations can lead to significant size constraints. Thankfully, our 3D waveguide antennas are perfectly addressed to mitigate these challenges.

3 cars, bycicle and motorbike - communicating via diverse antenna signals

What are 3D waveguide antennas? 

3D waveguide antennas are advanced, metallised plastic components designed for automotive radar applications of up to 81 GHz, with our latest research activity even successfully proved feasibility in the sub-THz range of up to 950GHz. Essentially, these antennas offer high-efficiency, low-loss, and accurate target detection, as well as proven high gain performance. 


Manufactured through advanced moulding and metallisation techniques, these antennas feature intricate internal pathways that precisely control how signals travel. This results in stable, predictable performance suited to the demanding requirements of modern radar systems, all while guaranteeing seamless integration into existing architectures. 


3D waveguide antennas also support emerging technologies, such as Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) and 5G connectivity, by providing higher data resolution and higher signal to noise ratio far superior to traditional Printed Circuit Boards (PCB). The higher frequencies and data loads demand greater precision and consistency in signal transmission, which these designs enable through optimised electromagnetic and reduced interference. 


Continued progress on our extensive portfolio has given operators a range of compact, scalable solutions that meet stringent automotive standards. Our 3D waveguide antennas also deliver object detection and maintain the highest possible performance, even in the most challenging visibility and environments or the most rigorous reliability testing. As these capabilities continue to advance, they are setting the direction for the next phase of innovation in ADAS. 

What does the future hold for ADAS? 

Looking ahead, two converging ADAS trends are clearly emerging: the shift in system architecture to sensor fusion and greater integration of software and AI-driven sensors. Together, these developments will enable vehicles to combine inputs from multiple sources for an even more comprehensive and accurate perception of their environment. 


Moreover, limited autonomy paired with highly capable ADAS in specific zones is also likely to become more commonplace, leading to an increase in driverless vehicles – also known as Level 5 autonomy. This will take longer to consolidate as ensuring paramount driver safety should be solidified before replacing drivers overnight, but without doubt, ADAS will be the real backbone of this eventual transition. 


Regardless of what’s in store, HUBER+SUHNER has already demonstrated our ability to evolve our 3D waveguide antennas to ensure compatibility with the latest requirements. As such, we will remain at the forefront of antenna development for automotive applications, continuing our pledge to connect – today and beyond.  

six ADAS products collage

To find out more about our range of 3D waveguide antennas, please visit: https://www.hubersuhner.com/en/shop/product-family/4997 

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