Advanced Microsystems For Automotive Applications 2005

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

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).

With the total number of vehicles steadily increasing and soon approaching one billion, the world is facing serious challenges in terms of both safety of road transport and sustainability. Consequently the two major persistent issues for the automotive industry are improved safety and reduced emissions. The estimated number of road fatalities is about one million per year. Fast growth of mobility in the developing world and an accelerated urbanisation pose high demands to the automotive industry. Thanks to smart systems anticipating dangerous traffic situations road fatalities will have dropped by more than 30% from 2001 to 2010. Beyond intensive stock-rearing – with 30% the major contributor to climate change – road traffic is one of the main sectors contributing to climate change: exhaust gases from vehicle engines account for about 20% of the greenhouse gas emissions. Car industry is bearing this challenge and enormous progress has been achieved particularly during the last decade.

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.