Millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar refers to radar operating in the millimeter-wave band, which emits millimeter waves through an antenna and receives the signals reflected from obstacles to calculate the relative velocity, distance, and angle to the target. Millimeter-wave radar is primarily categorized into four main technologies: 24 GHz, 60 GHz, 77 GHz, and 79 GHz automotive millimeter-wave radars. This article focuses on the application of 24 GHz and 60 GHz millimeter-wave radar in the smart home sector.

The 24 GHz millimeter-wave radar is widely used in smart homes, smart locks, and other devices. In addition to its use in the applications mentioned, 60 GHz radar is also suitable for vital sign detection, such as detecting heart rate and breathing. In the rapidly developing smart furniture industry, millimeter-wave radar technology has been widely applied in smart homes, particularly in emerging technologies like gesture recognition control, which have already become part of our daily lives, bringing significant convenience.

To achieve functions such as real-time sensor control, data storage, serial communication, signal processing, and power management for millimeter-wave radar, a high-performance, small-sized, low-power MCU is required.

Nuvoton M481ZGCAE MCU is suitable for millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar control, with the following specifications:

• Core/Frequency: Arm Cortex-M4, 192 MHz
• Flash: 256 KB
• RAM: 128 KB
• Peripherals: 8 UART channels, 2 SPI channels, 3 I²C channels
• Analog: 10-channel 12-bit ADC, 1 DAC, 2 analog comparators
• Package: QFN33 (5x5 mm)

Nuvoton offers small-package MCU models M481ZxxxAE and M463YGCAE, based on the Arm Cortex-M4 core, with a maximum frequency of up to 200 MHz. These models offer up to 512 KB of Flash and up to 160 KB of SRAM (for the M481). These MCUs are equipped with up to 8+1 LPUART channels, up to 4 SPI channels (M463), and up to 5 I²C channels (M463). Additionally, these models support the execution of the FFT algorithm.