A study of the technology development process for automotive sensors

An automotive sensor development process is discussed in this paper from the viewpoint of whether it is suitable for achieving new sensors having technological competitiveness. A concrete example of the application of this development process to automotive sensors is presented to demonstrate that it produces technologically competitive sensors.

In the first section, a general process is proposed for automotive sensor development. The fundamental concepts underlying this process are summarized below. 1. An analysis of the object to be measured is the starting point for sensor development. This analysis is carried out from four perspectives: (1) the measurement of phenomena for which an electronic system is technologically advantageous; (2) the mechanism of the object to be measured; (3) the characteristic behavior of the object; and (4) the special features of the object. And 2. The analysis consists of thee essential steps: (1) selection of the most suitable measuring position; (2) selection of the best measuring method; and (3) selection of the best measuring device.

Taking as an example, the development of an ultrasonic vehicle ground speed sensor in the second section, it is shown that the proposed process is suitable for achieving technologically competitive sensors in three steps: (1) determination of the actual development process; (2) development of technologies to overcome the technological issues involved; and (3) verification of the technological competitiveness of new sensor.