Optimised Processor Core for Automotive Radar Systems

AptCore Ltd为硅芯片（ic）开发知识产权。该公司雇佣了4名全职员工，另外还有5名兼职或按要求工作的员工。AptCore开发了一种用于汽车雷达系统的IC设计；今天不存在这样的IC。AptCore计划将该设计的许可证出售给老牌汽车集成电路制造商。市场研究显示，从2010年全球生产的57万辆汽车中只有1%采用雷达系统，到2022年全球应用雷达系统的比例将达到22%。AptCore已经能够用SystemC模型模拟该设计的好处。与潜在客户的初步讨论令人鼓舞，并表明需要在台架测试中使用雷达硬件建立概念验证数据。AptCore从咨询工作中获得了持续的资金自给自足，迄今为止已经为项目的发展提供了两年的资金。将项目从模拟转移到硬件台架测试的费用需要TSB的财政援助。假设这个概念验证的成功完成，项目的下一阶段将包括原型开发和测试车辆的安装。AptCore将寻求赢得一份客户开发合同，以协助第二阶段的融资。除了性能改进之外，AptCore设计还将显著降低驾驶员辅助系统的成本，如盲点检测、雷达辅助巡航控制和检测到车辆前方行人时的自动刹车。这些好处将大大改善司机、乘客和行人的道路安全，并将减少事故，从而改善拥堵和排放。随着AptCore团队的扩大，该地区的经济效益将得到体现。AptCore拥有强大的技术和营销团队，支持网络，以及与目标汽车公司的联系。

AptCore Ltd develops intellectual property for silicon chips (ICs). The company employs four full time people, plus another five people part-time or as required.AptCore has developed a design for an IC for automotive radar systems; no such IC exists today. AptCore plans to sell licenses of the design to established automotive ICmanufacturers.Market research shows a large market set to grow, from 2010, when just 1% of the 57Milvehicles manufactured globally had radar based systems to 22% global application by 2022.AptCore has been able to simulate the benefits of the design with a SystemC model. Initial discussions with prospective customers have been encouraging and have indicated a need to establish proof of concept data using radar hardware on a bench test.AptCore has ongoing financial self-sufficiency from consultancy work, and has funded two man years of development in the project to-date. The cost of moving the project fromsimulation to a hardware bench test required financial assistance from the TSB.Assuming a successful completion of this proof of concept, the next phase of the project will involve prototype development and installation in a test vehicle. AptCore will seek to win a customer development contract to assist funding of this second phase.In addition to performance improvements, the AptCore design will significantly reduce the cost of driver assistance systems such as Blind Spot Detection, Radar Assisted Cruise Control and Automatic Application of Brakes when pedestrians are detected in front of the vehicle.These benefits will bring substantial improvements in road safety for drivers, passengers and pedestrians, and will reduce accidents and hence improve congestion and emissions.Economic benefits in the region will be seen as AptCore expands its team.AptCore has strong technology and marketing teams, a support network, and contacts with targeted automotive companies.