Sensors as key components for automotive systems

Abstract Intense worldwide competition in the automotive market as well as the need to satisfy more demanding customers are accelerating the introduction of new and more performing automotive electronic systems. About 15% of the total cost of automotive electronic systems is for sensors, which will make a total of 300 dollars per vehicle in the year 2000. The automotive sensor business appears to be very promising, but it is also a very difficult and challenging field. This paper demonstrates why sensors are key components for automotive systems. In many cases the feasibility of these systems depends upon sensors, which play a large part in their performance. However, sensors also need to survive in a very difficult environment, with a very low failure rate at a minimum cost. Practical examples are described of sensors related to automobile comfort, safety, performance and environmental protection. This demonstration underlines the new challenge of developing automotive sensors in close cooperation with systems designers, to support effectively the new automotive trends for a global system approach to vehicle design.