Two barometric air pressure sensors are targeted at automotive functions
Infineon has introduced two Xensiv barometric air pressure (BAP) sensors. The KP464 and KP466 are both targeted at automotive applications, with the KP464 primarily designed for engine control management and the KP466 BAP sensor is intended for seat comfort functions.
The KP464 BAP sensor measures atmospheric pressure, which depends on altitude and weather conditions. The engine management system uses the sensor’s measurement data to calculate the air density and ensures the optimum air-fuel mixture. This is the key function for improving fuel efficiency and reducing power consumption, said Infineon. With the reduced energy losses emissions of CO2 and other pollutants can be minimised. The KP464 BAP sensor combines density measurement with additional diagnostics, such as manifold air pressure monitoring.
The KP466 enables seat manufacturers to realise innovative pneumatic seat systems with many additional functions that offer both comfort and technical advantages, said Infineon. For example, the multi-contour seat function allows vehicle occupants to adapt the contour of the seat to individual needs. Air cells integrated into the lumbar support and seat cushion allow the seat to adapt to the body. Massage functions further enhance the passenger comfort on long journeys by alternately inflating and deflating the air cells. The driving dynamics function automatically adjusts the seat’s side bolsters to the current driving situation, ensuring optimum stability for occupants, even when cornering.
The KP466 has a miniaturised five-hole housing. The system constantly monitors the pressure status and adjusts the pressure in the cushions according to the current requirements though multiple absolute pressure sensors. The sensors are SPI (serial peripheral interface) -enabled, for efficient system communication.
Both the KP464 and KP466 sensors are high-performance, high-precision, miniaturised digital absolute pressure sensors based on the capacitive measurement principle. They are qualified to the AEC-Q103-002 standard to meet automotive industry requirements and therefore reduce the effort and risk of errors during module and system qualification, added Infineon. The sensors are micromachined on the surface and feature a monolithic integrated signal conditioning circuit. Both devices convert a physical pressure into a 10-, 12- or 14-bit digital value and transmit the information via the SPI.
Both sensors can be integrated in a daisy chain, which minimises the number of connection pins of the communicating microcontroller with any number of pressure sensors used. This is also possible in combination with other Infineon system components.
A temperature sensor is integrated on the chips. Based on the received SPI command, the 10-, 12- or 14-bit temperature information is also transmitted via the SPI.
Both sensors have a special power-down mode that allows the user to further reduce the power consumption of the sensors. They also integrate a diagnostic function that can be used to test both the sensor cells and the signal path, increasing the reliability of the devices. This diagnosis can be done automatically at sensor start and sensor wake-up or triggered directly via a SPI command.
The Xensiv barometric air pressure sensors KP464 and KP466 can be ordered now.
