Visit the Radiometrix web site
Click on the advert above to visit the company web site

Product category: Analogue and Mixed Signal ICs
News Release from: NXP Semiconductors | Subject: P2SC signal conditioning chip
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 16 October 2002

Signal conditioner is crucial to
pressure monitor

Request your FREE weekly copy of the Electronicstalk email newsletter. News about Analogue and Mixed Signal ICs and more every issue. Click here for details.

Philips is increasing vehicle safety and driver convenience with a new chip solution dedicated for direct measurement of vehicle tire pressure and identification.

Philips is increasing vehicle safety and driver convenience with a new chip solution dedicated for direct measurement of vehicle tire pressure and identification, consolidating Philips' position as a technology leader in wireless connectivity and market leader in automotive RFID passive keyless entry technology The new signal-conditioning chip will boost safety in the car by communicating whether tire pressures are at their correct level and will increase convenience for the driver by reducing the need for regular manual checking of tire pressure

Direct or indirect tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMSs) will become a standard feature on cars within the next ten years and will be required by US law from 2004 onwards.

Direct measurement provides a much more accurate indication of tire pressure than is possible using an indirect measurement system, with the advantage that the signal is always available even when the vehicle is parked.

Philips' P2SC signal conditioning chip provides the link between the tire module and the driver interface, enabling early warning of incorrect tire pressure to the driver.

The wireless link of the P2SC chip solution uses Philips' industry-leading passive keyless entry RFID technology and is already field proven and qualified for automotive use.

"Tire pressure monitoring is set to become the fastest growing automotive electronics system over the next few years", according to Simon Schofield, industry analyst with Strategy Analytics' Automotive Practice.

"Strategy Analytics expects the worldwide vehicle OEM market for direct tire pressure monitoring to have reached 15 million systems by 2006, growing to over 22 million systems by the end of the decade".

"TPM systems are becoming standard features in vehicles and are set to be huge business", said Pascal Langlois, vice president and general manager of Philips Semiconductors' automotive division.

"Philips is the market leader for integrated keyless entry and immobilisation systems which use the same technology as the tire pressure monitoring systems, ensuring that we are well placed to become a market leader in TPMS systems".

Philips' P2SC chip offers low-frequency wake-up and high-frequency return, enabling the system to 'ask' each tire for its current pressure and position and relay this information to the driver.

Each tire is 'woken-up' every time the ignition is switched on - to give the driver status information on the tires before starting to drive.

While driving, an adaptive wake-up pattern ensures regular status updates for the driver.

In the event of a sudden drop in pressure, the tire will automatically relay this information to the driver without first needing to be woken-up.

The driver would be made aware of the tire pressure through different systems such as an icon display or virtual car on the dashboard.

Overcoming auto-rotation issues, Philips' P2SC uses low-frequency wake-up to automatically identify the correct wheel transmitter, even after a tire position has changed during maintenance.

This saves time-consuming reprogramming as required for other systems after tire rotations or when new tires are mounted.

The signal conditioning chip, which is mounted directly onto the tire rim, is field proven for use in the harsh automotive environment.

The chip can withstand shock resistance up to 2000G and temperatures of up to 175C.

NXP Semiconductors: contact details and other news
Email this article to a colleague
Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
Electronicstalk Home Page

Search the Pro-Talk network of sites

Visit the Radiometrix web site