May 18 2010
Freescale Semiconductor has introduced advanced automotive safety products that improve passengers’ safety.
A complete airbag solution, based on the Peripheral Sensor Interface 5 (PSI5), was launched at the PSI5 Forum in Nuremberg, Germany. The company has also introduced analog integrated circuits and satellite sensors. An additional component such as an electronic control unit (ECU) sensor complements all these products. Freescale Semiconductor incorporates advanced and cost-effective crash detection technologies in its airbag solutions.
Freescale’s RF, Analog and Sensors Group, General Manager and Vice President, Tom Deitrich, informed that the company’s PSI5 airbag solution saves time, enhances reliability, and reduces the difficulties associated with designing airbag systems. He further stated that the PSI5 is a dynamic protocol that meets the needs of automotive sensors.
With the introduction of the PSI5 airbag systems, Freescale Semiconductor has extended its range of next-generation airbag solutions. The PSI5 airbag systems also enhance Freescale’s SMARTMOS technology for advanced system integration.
The PSI5 airbag systems incorporates a MC33789 Airbag System Basis Chip (SBC) and a micro-electromechanical (MEMS)-based MMA5xxxW satellite accelerometer. A MEMS-based inertial sensor called the MMA68xxW dual-axis serial peripheral interface (SPI) sensor for the electronic control unit provides a comprehensive airbag solution.
The MMA5xxxW satellite accelerometer is the first PSI5 X- or Z-axis satellite device that is available in a Quad Flat No-Lead (QFN) package. Unlike the current SOIC-based solutions, the MMA5xxxW is small in size, and provides strong and reliable airbag satellite solutions.
The MMA5xxxW is suitable for PSI5 version 1.3 standard protocol and can be integrated as an overall PSI5 airbag system. The MMA5xxxW protects the airbag system from parasitic vibrations caused by an overdamped transducer, and can be integrated as an overall PSI5 airbag system. The MMA5xxxW offers a number of features such as a two-wire programming mode, ±60g to ±480g full-scale range, QFN package with solder visibility, a bus-switch drive for daisy chain configurations and a selectable 400Hz, 3 or 4 pole low-pass filter.
The MC33789 SBC is a flexible, integrated circuit that is extensively used in trucks and car airbag partitions. It can detect the state of seat belt switch inputs and relate with remote crash sensors through the PSI5. The MC33789 SBC features a configurable switch, four sensor master interfaces, a LIN 2.1 physical layer interface, a safing state machine, and voltage output supplies and energy reserve control. The MC33789 SBC is ideal for airbag safety systems and offers improved safety and reliability.
The digital sensor called the MMA68xxQ is a main crash sensor used for airbag purposes. Combination of high resonant frequency package and overdamped transducer guards against overload conditions such as shocks that typically occur in crash detection applications. These aspects ensure that strong and better airbags can be designed. The MMA68xxQ features a serial interface that is compatible with serial peripheral interface, ±20g to ±120 g full-scale range, 3.3 or 5 V single supply operation, programmable arming functions and SPI data output. The QFN package offers a smaller footprint, unlike other SOIC-based solutions.
Freescale Semiconductor designs and produces embedded semiconductors for the networking, automotive and industrial sectors. The company is situated in Texas and has a number of design, production, sales and research and development facilities across the globe.