Smart Rain-Light-Tunnel Sensor

Demands for increased safety and comfort requirements by the automotive industry are the main drivers for electronically based driver support systems like Rain & Light sensor.

Such systems will be accepted by the drivers as soon as they will become a standard feature in all vehicles.

Referring to a market study from Roland Berger & Partners ® in August 2000, the equipment rate of Rain Sensors in passenger cars will increase from 5 % in 2000 to almost 50 % in 2005. This article will illustrate the process of constant innovation by showing the development path, starting with a standard Rain Sensor introduced to the market in 1997, leading to an integrated Smart Rain Light Tunnel sensor with a specific developed ASIC for further innovative features (see Figure 2).