Semiconductor Sensors for Automotive Instrumentation

Piezoresistive phenomena found in silicon semiconductors and the possibility it has of integrating various electronic functions (all in one family of technology) are a viable method of meeting the future requirements of the automotive industry. After a brief discussion of the evolution of semiconductor sensors and the “state of art” design, the author proceeds to propose some suitable circuits for integration of electronic functions such as comparator, amplifier, A to D converter, etc. Although the discussion centers on pressure transducer design, the facts in the example can easily be transferred to temperature, flow, and acceleration measurements.