According to the company, its CCL-Softcare anti-collision technology differs from similar solutions because it operates at a much lower frequency and doesn't require expensive compound-semiconductor technologies and precision assembly processes to build the product.

The company also claims that only one module is required for rear, side and front view whereas alternative approaches need two or more transmit/ receive modules to allow the system to determine the position of an object.

"Building a radar for road use has been technically feasible for many years - the core issue is how to make one for a tiny fraction of the costs usually involved," said Gordon Oswald from Cambridge Consultants.

"The design principles in this system draw on defence technology, but have been heavily re-engineered to work in a frequency band that is becoming commonplace for wireless consumer gadgets. This provides the required performance in a form capable of meeting the aggressive cost targets of the high volume automotive arena."

CCL's proof-of-concept system comprises of rear- and side-view radar modules with a range of 5 metres and an angular resolution of less than 2 degrees. The forward-looking radar has a range of 25 metres. A DSP-based electronic control unit (ECU) processes the echoes, and communicates the results to the central controller containing the driver interface, over a CANbus vehicle network.

According to the company, this architecture allows four-quadrant vehicle protection to be implemented with just four radar modules and a single ECU, compared with the eight or more radar modules required by some alternative systems.