Automotive

IR dynamic gesture sensor keeps driver’s eyes on the road

Tue, Jun 29, 2021

Hand gestures can be recognised by the MAX25405 next-generation optical sensor to ensure that a driver’s eyes remain on the road. The optical sensor recognises a variety of gestures in a quarter of the size and at 10x lower cost than camera-based time of flight systems in automotive, industrial and consumer applications, says Maxim Integrated.

The MAX25405 detects a wider proximity of movement and doubles the sensing range to 40cm compared to earlier generations, in a form factor that is a quarter the size of camera-based systems in automotive, industrial and consumer applications. According to Maxim, these enhancements offer an alternative to voice communications, enabling drivers to focus on the road.

The MAX25405 has integrated optics, a 6 x 10 infra red sensor array and a glass lens which increases sensitivity and improves the signal to noise ratio. The improved performance doubles the proximity and distance of sensing applications so that passengers in the front and rear seats can be also operate entertainment displays, for example, with gestures. There is a high level of integration compared to competitive ToF solutions that require three chips and a complicated microprocessor.

The MAX25405’s small 20-pin, 4.0 x 4.0 x 1.35mm quad flat no-lead (QFN) package together with four discrete LEDs measures up to 75 per cent smaller than ToF camera-based solutions.

The MAX25405 recognizes nine gestures, including swipe, rotation, air-click, linger to click and 3 x 2 proximity zones with minimal lag time. It is affordable for use in multi-range automotive, consumer and industrial applications, including touch-free smart home hubs and thermostats.

The MAX25405 gesture sensor and associated MAX25405EVKIT# evaluation kit are available now.

Maxim Integrated has a broad portfolio of semiconductors, tools and support, to delivers analogue solutions including efficient power, precision measurement, reliable connectivity and robust protection along with intelligent processing for automotive, communications, consumer, data centre, healthcare, industrial and IoT applications.

http://www.maximintegrated.com

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Infineon unveils in-cabin monitoring systems for safe vehicles and roads

Fri, Jun 25, 2021

Radar sensors and microcontrollers from Infineon enable short range automotive applications in in-cabin monitoring systems (ICMS) which is reshaping passenger safety, says Infineon.

The Xensiv 60GHz BGT60ATR24C AEC-Q100 radar sensors, Aurix microcontrollers and Optireg power management ICs (PMICs) contribute to ultra-wideband (UWB), low power and cost-performance scalable architecture for ICMS sub-systems. The devices support the use of new signal processing techniques which are robust but also balance computational costs, the degree of information as well as the power consumption of the system, claims Infineon.

The Xensiv BGT60ATR24C radar sensor is a cognitive sensing device with multiple transmit/receive for virtual array configurations. There is also an agile modulation generation mechanism, automatic power mode configurability and simplified interfaces between RF and the processing side.

The Aurix TC3xx MCU family integrates a fast radar signal processing unit and enhanced security with the second-generation of the hardware security module (HSM). This includes asymmetric cryptography accelerators and full EVITA support. (The EVITA project is an EU project to design, verify and prototype suitable architectures for secure automotive on-board networks.)

Infineon has partnered with bisening, a South Korean imaging radar technology start-up, and Caaresys, an Israeli start-up to accelerate the development cycle using Infineon’s 60GHz automotive portfolio.

For example, bitsensing’s 60GHz MOD620 is enabled by advanced signal processing techniques using Infineon’s chipset. The pairing “offers a new level of confidence in safety for the automotive industry that demands excellence, reliability and unmatched intelligence,” said Dr. Jae-Eun Lee, bitsensing’s CEO.

Partner Caaresy has used Infineon’s Xensiv 24GHz and 60HHz radar sensors and Aurix MCUs in its CabinCare and BabyCare radar-based systems. It uses algorithms and radar signal processing to create aesthetic and contactless vital sign monitoring in automotives, explained CEO, Ilya Sloushch.

http://www.infineon.com

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EPC adds 80 and 200V models to eGaN FET family

Wed, Jun 16, 2021

Two additions to the eGaN FET family by EPC address the needs of e-mobility, delivery and logistic robots and drone markets which require compact brushless DC (BLDC) motor drives and cost-effective, high-resolution time of flight (ToF).

The EPC2065 is an 80V, 3.6mOhm, 221A pulsed eGaN FET in a 7.1mm2 chip scale package. The size and efficiency reduce overall power system size and weight, says EPC to make it particularly suitable for 32 to 48V BLDC motor drive applications for e-mobility ebikes and escooters, service, delivery, logistic robots and drones.

In all of these applications, miniaturisation is key and the driver is integrated with the motor in the pursuit of this. The ability to operate with significantly shorter dead times results in less noise and less EMI. eGaN FET is capable of high frequency operation to achieve what is claimed to be the highest density for high frequency DC/DC converters for computing and industrial applications and for synchronous rectification.

The second addition to the family is the EPC2054. This is a 200V, 3.6mOhm, eGaN FET in a tiny 1.69mm2 chip scale package. It can deliver 32A pulsed current, despite its small size, with very fast on-off transition times and super small capacitance and inductances. These characteristics make it suitable for industrial lidar / ToF applications.

The low resistance, low switching losses, no reverse recovery charge, fast switching, high frequency capability, and the tiny footprint make the EPC2054 a cost effective and high density FET for a range of applications including high frequency DC/DC, synchronous rectification, wireless power, class D audio, automation, solar and optical.

Alex Lidow, EPC’s co-founder and CEO believes that power system designers will be able to take advantage of these latest eGaN FETs and utilize the high performance, thermally efficient small devices to replace power MOSFETs in a wide variety of applications including emobility, robotics and drones.

The eGaN FETs and related development and reference design boards are available now from Digi-Key.

http://www.epc-co.com

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Automotive window voltage monitor has BIST for ADAS

Tue, Jun 15, 2021

Built-in self test (BIST) for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) is included in the MAX16137 analogue supervisor. Maxim Integrated claims it is an industry-first.

The supervisor reduces the size and complexity of ADAS in vehicles, says the company, with the single-window voltage monitor with BIST.

The window monitor IC tracks both under-voltage and over-voltage levels with one per cent accuracy. This protects the ADAS and allows designers to accelerate system-wide functional safety by providing advanced diagnostics and reset capabilities.

Voltage monitors play a key role in reporting the health of power supplies for ADAS in vehicles. These systems must include test circuits to ensure reliable operation. The MAX16137 delivers both diagnostic and BIST at the chip level to help designers achieve system-wide functional safety faster for ADAS and other autonomous driving applications, says Maxim.

The MAX16137 BIST features check the supervisor functionality without the need for external circuitry, which reduces design complexity. The MAX16137 also reduces solution size by 50 per cent compared to the closest competitive solution, Maxim claims. The supervisory IC can be designed into a variety of automotive systems such as infotainment, body electronics, power, electric vehicle power powertrain and IoT systems.

The MAX16137 is available via Maxim Integrated’s website and authorised distributors. The company also offers the MAX16137EVKIT# evaluation kit.

Maxim Integrated is an engineering company for engineers. It has a broad portfolio of high performance semiconductors, combined with tools and support; it, delivers essential analogue solutions including efficient power, precision measurement, reliable connectivity and robust protection along with intelligent processing. Designers in application areas such as automotive, communications, consumer, data centre, healthcare, industrial and IoT work with Maxim to quickly develop smaller, smarter and more secure designs.

http://www.maximintegrated.com

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