Inertial sensor has 6DoF for precise data, says Panasonic Industry
Information about the state and motion of a vehicle or machinery is provided by Panasonic Industry’s 6DoF (degrees of freedom) inertial sensor series. The Gyro & Accelerometer 6DoF sensor series can be used as a safety aid in cars, motorbikes, autonomous buses, construction machines and other applications where sensing is crucial to support motion detection, positioning, sensor fusion and inclination for safety and comfort driver aids, explained the company.
The six-axis inertial sensor series is a single-chip device which is ASIL-B(D)-compliant.
The Gyro & Accelerometer 6DoF sensor series (also called “6in1 sensor”) is available in a wettable flank QFN package. This housing has a special edge that forms a step. The solder creates a reliable connection in the throat of this step to allow high-quality soldering and error-free assembly, essential for automotive safety (electronic stability control, ABS brakes, traction control), comfort (navigation, head-up display, driver-assist and comfort) and industrial applications (off-highway industry, AGV, robotics), explained. Sensors in the series are robust, shock- and vibration-resistant.
The 6DoF sensor detects the motion of a vehicle in harsh vibration circumstances, for example when a car suddenly leaves the road. It uses data to adjust the torque of motor and the braking force to make the vehicle safe.
In radar / lidar applications, a sensor will detect the motion of the vehicle and the radar / lidar system uses the motion data to compare the obstacles detected in previous and current scans.
It can also be used to support the calculation of the position of a vehicle, if GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signals are blocked, e.g. when the vehicle is in a tunnel.
The sensor can also be implemented in comfort applications like AR-HUD (augmented reality heads up display) systems. Here the sensor detects the movement of the car and can adjust the position of the AR-HUD beam with AR markers, in order for the driver to read. Another comfort-related feature is the possibility to adjust the suspension of the car, using the six-axis output, that can detect the state of the vehicle and cabin.
As well as consumer road vehicles, motorcycles and scooters, the sensor can be used in commercial vehicles. For example, autonomous driving buses can use the six-axis output to calculate, if the vehicle is on the pre-defined path. The sensors will also be able to prevent good falling off an autonomous forklift truck other machinery, such as lawn mowers, railway trains or compactors.
In industrial applications, for example wood cutters, excavators or agricultural machinery, the sensor can detect ego-vehicle motion, detect and calculate positions, initiate next operations to contribute to increased precision, productivity and safety.
