Modular inertial safety sensing concepts for functional and environmental fit

Abstract

After supplying high-performance low-g accelerometers to automotive systems for 10 years, it was time to broaden the product scope in order to utilize VTIs 3D MEMS platform for more products. Based on a combination of MEMS-tools that is effectively used in low-g high-volume production, a gyroscope and accelerometer toolbox was set-up in order to address both worlds, consumer and automotive-safety markets. The requirements of the consumer and automotive worlds are often contradictory, and synergies difficult to achieve. It can be agreed for the functional design that it needs to follow the applicational requirements - e.g. low power for consumer vs. strong and robust signal for automotive. It will be demonstrated that there are also commonalities. Regarding automotive system integration, the controversial discussion continues since functional and environmental aspects dictated by the application or by sensor fusion often lead to complex requirements. The art of bundling is to draw a line between combinable sensor classes and classes where a derivate of the sensor will fulfill deviating needs, which could be as simple as sensing orientation, temperature and vibration environmental conditions as well as signal quality requirements.