Capacitive Sensing in an Automotive Environment

Capacitance sensing in motor vehicles allows for protection in power windows, sunroofs, liftgates and sliding doors. It also provides greater design freedom of operator interfaces that include switch entry and fingerprint sensing. Fingerprint sensing adds new levels of security for the access and starting of a vehicle thus allowing for the elimination of keys.

This paper describes the design and operation of various systems that could employ capacitive sensing technology including keyless entry, operator controls, and safety related sensing. Also discussed are vehicle installation, safety enhancement, and ergonomic benefits.