Smart sensor for automotive passive restraint systems

Leland Spangler; Christopher J. Kemp

doi:10.1117/12.240438

20 May 1996 Smart sensor for automotive passive-restraint systems

Leland Spangler, Christopher J. Kemp

Proceedings Volume 2722, Smart Structures and Materials 1996: Smart Electronics and MEMS; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.240438
Event: 1996 Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, 1996, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Automotive passive restraint systems continue to take advantage of the benefits of microelectronics to provide more sophisticated occupant safety features. Traditional microelectronic advantages such as miniaturization, system integration, and part count reduction are being used to a greater level. This paper describes a `smart' automotive accelerometer that performs, in a single integrated component, all of the sensing and signal processing functions required to assess vehicle crash severity and generate a timely airbag deployment command if needed. The device improves system performance and reliability while lowering cost, by replacing the several acceleration-sensitive mechanical switches (and the associated wiring) currently used in most automotive passive restraint systems. The accelerometer consists of a capacitive sense element and a CMOS ASIC which contains interface circuitry and a digital deployment decision circuit. Signal filtering, calibration, and vehicle-specific programming are also performed on-chip. The design approach minimizes the effects of temperature and voltage variations and therefore eliminates the need for separate compensation circuits. Performance of the device in the laboratory as well as in vehicle crash tests demonstrates the accelerometer's ability to meet its design objectives.

Citation Download Citation

Leland Spangler and Christopher J. Kemp "Smart sensor for automotive passive-restraint systems", Proc. SPIE 2722, Smart Structures and Materials 1996: Smart Electronics and MEMS, (20 May 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.240438

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