Sensors For Automotive Applications Research Articles

Overview of the use of oxygen sensors in automotive applications

In the process of combustion, the air-fuel ratio is important for control strategies to reduce fuel economy and improve engine performance. Oxygen sensors are key elements in electronic fuel injection systems to indicate the oxygen content and send electrical signals to the electronic control unit. Starting with the first generation of oxygen sensors, which had limited applications, all automotive manufacturers now use wideband sensors to detect oxygen concentration with rapid reaction and linear output characteristics. Also, these new sensors provide accurate information for a wide range of air coefficients (λ = 0.65-2.4), improving combustion efficiency. In this paper, several types of narrowband and wideband sensors were analyzed, measuring the activation temperature for each sensor until a reliable signal was obtained.

Millimeter Wave FMCW RADARs for Perception, Recognition and Localization in Automotive Applications: A Survey

MmWave (millimeter wave) Frequency Modulated Continuous Waves (FMCW) RADARs are sensors based on frequency-modulated electromagnetic which see their environment in 3D at a long-range. The recent introduction of millimeter-wave RADARs with frequencies from 60 GHz to 300 GHz has broadened their potential applications thanks to their improved accuracy in angle, range, and velocity. MmWave FMCW RADARs have better resolution and accuracy than narrowband and ultra-wideband (UWB) RADARs. In comparison with cameras and LiDARs, they possess several strong advantages such as long-range perception, robustness to lightning, and weather conditions while being cheaper. However, their noisy and lower-density outputs even compared to other technologies of RADARs, and their ability to measure the targets’ velocities require specific algorithms tailored for them. Working principles of mmWave FMCW RADARs are presented as well as the separate ways to represent data and their applications. This paper describes algorithms and applications adapted or developed for these sensors in automotive applications. Finally, current challenges and directions for future works are presented.

Online harmonic error compensation of Atan2 function for a low-cost automotive sensor application

Abstract A new compensation method of harmonic distortions by using Atan2 function is introduced in this paper. It provides a simple online calibration function to determine the parameters of harmonic distortions. Thus, it can be implemented in a microcontroller with less computational capacity and can increase the accuracy of a low-cost angle position sensor for automotive applications.

A Review and Perspective on Optical Phased Array for Automotive LiDAR

This paper aims to review the state of the art of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors for automotive applications, and particularly for automated vehicles, focusing on recent advances in the field of integrated LiDAR, and one of its key components: the Optical Phased Array (OPA). LiDAR is still a sensor that divides the automotive community, with several automotive companies investing in it, and some companies stating that LiDAR is a ‘useless appendix’. However, currently there is not a single sensor technology able to robustly and completely support automated navigation. Therefore, LiDAR, with its capability to map in 3 dimensions (3D) the vehicle surroundings, is a strong candidate to support Automated Vehicles (AVs). This manuscript highlights current AV sensor challenges, and it analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the perception sensor currently deployed. Then, the manuscript discusses the main LiDAR technologies emerging in automotive, and focuses on integrated LiDAR, challenges associated with light beam steering on a chip, the use of Optical Phased Arrays, finally discussing current factors hindering the affirmation of silicon photonics OPAs and their future research directions.

Special Section on Sensors Applications Symposium

The IEEE Sensors Applications Symposium (SAS) 2019 was the 14th edition of this conference. SAS, one of the flagship conferences of the IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Society, brings together sensor developers, innovators, and users, providing a forum for the exploration of new applications in sensor technology. SAS 2019 was very successful thanks to a large number of high-quality articles and the numerous participants who attended the conference, one-third of them were students. A wide range of subject areas was covered during SAS 2019, such as sensor data fusion, energy harvesting for sensors, biomedical sensors and systems, industrial applications, novel sensing technologies, smart building, and smart agriculture. In addition, hot topics, such as assisted living for the aging population, flexible and wearable sensors, sensors for automotive applications, and smart IoT sensing and networking, were also addressed.

Study of Inductive Sensors for Automotive Applications

There is an ever increasing demand for use of inductive speed sensors in a broad range of applications. They are used in typical applications such as cam and crank shaft position/speed and wheel and turbo shaft speed measurement. This paper describes the type of inductive sensor found on vehicles and the difficulties of detecting at low speeds. In the laboratory of Mechatronics an experimental device has been done to measure the speed using an inductive speed sensor. The experimental results are satisfactory and show the possibility of the inductive sensors to be used in automotive industry.

Autonomous Wireless Sensor with a Low Cost TEG for Application in Automobile Vehicles

Abstract The present work consists in the development of an autonomous, low cost, reliable, energy scavenger sensor for automotive applications. Thermoelectric generators typically exhibit low efficiency but high reliability, making them suitable for autonomous, low average energy consumption, applications. A prototype sensor was developed for mounting in the engine exhaust pipe using a step-up voltage converter, a microcontroller, temperature and pressure sensing elements, conditioning electronics and a wireless transceiver, all powered by a low cost TEG (Peltier module TEC1-12706), through the scavenging of exhaust gases thermal energy. During the tests the prototype was able to sustain a regular signal transmission throughout the engine operation. The sensor was installed directly at the measuring point eliminating wired cables to hot and vibrating parts, thus, simplifying the installation of components and improving the reliability of the vehicle systems.

A Flexible High-Performance Accelerator Platform for Automotive Sensor Applications

A Flexible High-Performance Accelerator Platform for Automotive Sensor Applications

A new high-integrated weak field sensor for automotive applications

Abstract. Especially in the field of automotive applications smart sensor systems for magnetic field sensing face increasing requirements concerning low cost, low power consumption and high magnetic performance. Over the past years AMR sensors play a decisive role in this application area because of their robustness and stability. In the following a high-integrated smart sensor system for magnetic field sensing is presented. A novel approach for the detection of weak magnetic fields is shown, which is based on an AC-excitation of AMR elements. In contrast to common used sensors this concept is based on a nonlinear AMR element without Barber pole construction. By means of this methodology sensitivity as well as temperature and life time stability is significantly improved, while the production costs compared to common-used sensors are reduced. Within this novel approach new signal conditioning algorithms and analog circuit topologies are presented, which are able to meet low offset and low noise requirements.

Evaluation and Optimization of Back-Bias Magnets for Automotive Applications Using Finite-Element Methods

This paper presents a method for investigating, calculating, and optimizing back-bias magnets used in automotive sensor applications such as ABS/ESP. The performance of these applications crucially depends on the choice of magnet. Major parameters, such as shape and direction of magnetization, are investigated and optimized for different types of magnets. The calculations were performed using finite-element method simulations in 3-D.

Application of interfacial fracture mechanics approach for obtaining design rules for flip chip interconnections

The reliability of an electronic package can be described by a physics-of-failure approach. Crack initiation and propagation in the bulk material and interface leads to catastrophic mechanical and finally to electrical failure. Therefore, bulk and interfacial fracture mechanics is a suitable method to describe the reliability of an electronic package. As package, a stud bump bonding flip chip interconnection on a thermoplastic substrate material [liquid crystal polymer (LCP)] is studied. The paper focuses on the description of the interfacial cracking between the underfill and the LCP. This is used to obtain design rules for flip chip interconnection on LCP by means of finite element analysis. Geometry design parameters—fillet shape, chip and substrate sizes—are studied. Moreover, the influence of material properties of the substrate and underfill are investigated. The impacts of the parameters are evaluated by analyzing the energy release rate (ERR) and mode-mixity in the interface. For determination of the critical ERR as function of the mode-mixity, a modified button shear test is utilized. The button, made out of underfill, is cured on the LCP substrate. A pre-delamination is established using a Teflon strip. The critical ERR for different mode-mixities is obtained by varying the shearing height of the button test. Additional, the influence of oxygen plasma treatment of the LCP substrate on the interfacial cracking is taken into account. In the investigation, design rules for increasing the reliability of flip chip interconnections are obtained. Moreover, a modified button-test is applied to obtain critical energy releases rates for different mode-mixities for the interface underfill/LCP. These results are used to optimize the geometry and materials of flip chip interconnections for automotive sensor applications in respect to delamination risk between substrate and underfill.

A Survey on Optimal Signal Processing Techniques Applied to Improve the Performance of Mechanical Sensors in Automotive Applications

In this paper a survey on recent applications of optimal signal processing techniques to improve the performance of mechanical sensors is made. Here, a comparison between classical filters and optimal filters for automotive sensors is made, and the current state of the art of the application of robust and optimal control and signal processing techniques to the design of the intelligent (or smart) sensors that today’s cars need is presented through several experimental results that show that the fusion of intelligent sensors and optimal signal processing techniques is the clear way to go. However, the switch between the traditional methods of designing automotive sensors and the new ones cannot be done overnight because there are some open research issues that have to be solved. This paper draws attention to one of the open research issues and tries to arouse researcher’s interest in the fusion of intelligent sensors and optimal signal processing techniques.

Highly integrated automotive radar sensor

The design and measured results of the developed radar sensor for automotive applications are presented. The radar sensor is highly integrated with the transceiver module, antenna and baseband circuits. The proposed antenna is composed of a novel microstrip-line-fed horn antenna and a quasi-optic lens antenna.

Micromachined sensors for automotive applications

Micromachined sensors have become an indispensable element of automotive electronics. This article by Robert Bosch GmbH presents applications for micromachined sensors in automobiles, and it gives an outlook on future fields of application.

Sensors Applications, Volume 4, Sensors for Automotive Applications

Sensors Applications, Volume 4, Sensors for Automotive Applications

CFD Analysis of Packaging and Mounting Solutions for SiC-Based Gas Sensors in Automotive Applications

Simulation-based guidelines were developed for designing tube-mounted gas sensors in the exhaust pipes of diesel and petrol engines, taking into account thermal constraints and gas flow conditions. ...

Mechanical properties of glass frit bonded micro packages

Frit glass bonding is a widely used technology for encapsulation of surface micro-machined structures like inertial sensors or gyroscopes on wafer level. Since for sensors in automotive applications, a lifetime of 15–20 years has to be guaranteed for, a reliable lifetime prediction is necessary. Different material parameters have to be known for a lifetime estimation based on stress corrosion cracking, which determines the long-term strength behaviour of most bonded interfaces of microsystems. Parameters needed for lifetime prediction have to describe the material’s resistance against crack propagation (fracture toughness KIC), the stress situation in a micro package and the long-term strength behaviour. Results for fracture toughness investigations presented in this paper were determined by the micro chevron test. The stress situation in a micro package was calculated by a thermo-mechanical Finite Element Analysis. Furthermore the residual stress in the glass layer and the linear thermal expansion coefficient were determined by a crack width measurement in an environmental scanning electron microscope.

Pressure sensors for automotive applications

Pressure sensors for automotive applications

A broad beam Doppler speed sensor for automotive applications

On‐board absolute speed sensors would be very useful in automotive applications in order to perform the measurement of the speed independently of the wheel rotation. Narrow beam Doppler sensors give a good accuracy but only operate if there is a reflecting obstacle in the antenna footprint on the road. Broad beam Doppler sensors have the advantage of offering a higher probability of getting a reflected wave, but they require multiple frequencies. A novel sensor is presented. It uses a single frequency emission, which leads to low cost devices. Simulations and measurements have been carried out which show that it is particularly well adapted to high‐risk situations, for instance icy or very wet road surfaces, when only a few reflecting obstacles are present. In such situations, the accuracy of the measurement is typically of the order of 0.5 per cent.

A robust capacitive angular speed sensor

This paper presents a contactless capacitive angular speed sensor for automotive applications. The sensor is based on a passive rotating electrode placed between two mechanically static and electrically active electrodes. The different characteristics of the charge transfer at various sensor positions is utilized as an input for the calculation of the rotational speed. The main advantages of this low cost system are its capability to operate at high temperatures and humidity as well as its insensitivity to vibrations, dirt, dew and moisture deposited on the three sensor electrodes. The mathematical model of the sensor further enables the optimization of the sensor characteristics for specific applications. Experimental results from a prototype designed for the speed-measurement of a steering-wheel show a relative speed error of /spl plusmn/4% at a resolution better than 1/spl deg//s.