Advanced Microsystems For Automotive Applications 2003

Microsystems are an important factor that contribute to an automobile model's success. To meet the customer's desire for safety, convenience and vehicle economy, and to satisfy environmental standards, microsystems play a critical factor. Microsystems applications (MST) have already resulted in improved performance and better value for money. But the advances implemented reveal only the beginning of a revolution in the vehicle sector, which aims at a complete transition from the mechanically driven automobile system to a mechanically based but ICT-driven system. The selected contributions from AMAA 2003 treat safety (both preventive and protective), powertrain (online measurement and control of engine and transmission subsystems), comfort and HMI (systems to enhance the comfort of passengers and human machine interface issues), and networked Vehicle (all aspects of intra car systems and ambient communication networks).

Since 1995 the annual international forum on Advanced Microsystems for Automotive Applications (AMAA) has been held in Berlin. The event offers a unique opportunity for microsystems component developers, system suppliers and car manufacturers to show and to discuss competing technological approaches of microsystems based solutions in vehicles. The book accompanying the event has demonstrated to be an efficient instrument for the diffusion of new concepts and technology results. The present volume including the papers of the AMAA 2005 gives an overview on the state-of-the-art and outlines imminent and mid-term R&D perspectives. The 2005 publication reflects – as in the past – the current state of discussions within industry. More than the previous publications, the AMAA 2005 "goes back" to the technological requirements and indispensable developments for fulfilling the market needs. The large part of contributions dealing with sensors as well as "sensor technologies and data fusion" is exemplary for this tendency. In this context a paradigm shift can be stated. In the past the development focused predominantly on the detection and processing of single parameters originating from single sensors. Today, the challenge increasingly consists in getting information of complex situations with a series of variables from different sensors and in evaluating this information. Smart integrated devices using the information deriving from the various sensor sources will be able to describe and assess a traffic situation or behaviour much faster and more reliable than a human being might be able to do. Additional information is available on www.amaa.de

From the beginnings of the International Forum on Advanced Microsystems for Automotive Application (AMAA) to the recent 11th AMAA Forum, enormous progress has been made in reducing casualties, emissions and in increasing comfort and performance. In many cases Microsystems provided key functions for this progress. This publication is a cut-out of new technological priorities in the area of microsystems-based smart devices, taking a mid-term perspective of future smart systems applications in automobiles.

Microsystems applications (MST) in automobiles have become commonplace: they enable the introduction of a series of new functions and at the same time the replacement of existing technologies offering improved performance and better value for money. Microsystems are indispensable for fulfilling a complete transition from the mechanically driven automobile system to a mechanically based but ICT-driven system as part of a likewise complex environment. With the introduction of micro-systems a series of challenges arise regarding complexity, systems design, reliability, serviceability, etc. These challenges have to be addressed in order to meet high customer expectations concerning performance and price.

The automobile is going through the biggest transformation in its history. Automation and electrification of vehicles are expected to enable safer and cleaner mobility. The prospects and requirements of the future automobile affect innovations in major technology fields like driver assistance systems, vehicle networking and drivetrain development. Smart systems such as adaptive ICT components and MEMS devices, novel network architectures, integrated sensor systems, intelligent interfaces and functional materials form the basis of these features and permit their successful and synergetic integration. It has been the mission of the International Forum on Advanced Microsystems for Automotive Applications (AMAA) for more than fifteen years to detect novel trends and to discuss the technological implications from early on. Therefore, the topic of the AMAA 2014 will be “Smart Systems for Safe, Clean and Automated Vehicles”. This book contains peer-reviewed papers written by leading engineers and researchers which all address the ongoing research and novel developments in the field.

This stimulating and inspiring book explores the present and anticipates the future of Automotive Microsystems. The past decade has seen enormous progress in the use of automotive microsysems; their effect has been dramatic in reducing casualties, controlling emissions and increasing passenger comfort and vehicle performance. The book is a snapshot of new technological priorities in microsystems-based smart devices that offers a mid-term perspective on coming smart systems applications in automobiles.