Infineon introduces two sensors for engine management and pneumatic seating systems

Infineon Technologies introduces two new XENSIV™ Air pressure (BAP) sensors for automotive applications: KP464 and KP466. The KP464 is primarily designed for engine control management, while the KP466 BAP sensor is primarily used for seat comfort.

KP464 helps improve fuel efficiency and reduce power consumption

The KP464 BAP sensor measures atmospheric pressure, which depends on altitude and weather conditions. The measurement data from the sensor can be used by the engine management system to calculate the air density and ensure the optimal air-fuel ratio. This is a key feature for improving fuel efficiency and reducing power consumption. With less energy lost, emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants are minimized. The KP464 BAP sensor from Infineon combines diagnostic functions such as density measurement and manifold air pressure monitoring. Lower power consumption and miniaturization of the package can improve the production efficiency of the device.

The KP466 helps to improve comfort and bring more technical benefits

The new generation KP466 BAP sensor from Infineon enables seat manufacturers to implement innovative pneumatic seat systems with numerous additional features. These features not only improve comfort, but also provide significant technical advantages. For example, the multi-profile seat function enables the occupant to adjust the seat profile according to individual needs; Air units integrated into the lumbar support and seat cushions allow the seat to adapt to the body profile; The massage function further enhances occupant comfort on long journeys by alternately inflating and deflating the air unit; Ride Dynamics automatically adjusts the side support of the seat based on the current driving situation, providing the best stability for the occupant in a variety of situations, including cornering.

This optimized solution dramatically reduces power consumption and features a miniaturized five-hole housing. The system constantly monitors the pressure status and adjusts the seat pressure according to the current requirements. To do this, the system uses multiple absolute pressure sensors to monitor the pressure throughout the system. The Infineon sensor also supports SPI for efficient system communication.

Technical features of KP464 and KP466 sensors

The KP464 and KP466 sensors are high-performance, high-precision, miniaturized digital absolute pressure sensors based on the capacitive measurement principle. Both sensors meet the AEC-Q103-002 standard and meet the requirements of the automotive industry. As a result, these devices reduce the risk of effort and errors in module and system certification. The surface is micromachined and has a monolithic integrated signal regulating circuit. Both devices convert physical pressure into a 10 -, 12 -, or 14-bit digital value and transmit information via an SPI interface.

In addition, the two sensors can be integrated into a Daisy chain, which minimizes the number of pins connected to the communication microcontroller, enabling the use of any number of pressure sensors. It can also be combined with other Infineon system components.

Not only that, the chip is also integrated with a temperature sensor. 10 -, 12 -, or 14-bit temperature information will also be transmitted through the SPI interface as per the received SPI command. Both sensors come with a special power-saving mode that allows users to further reduce the sensor's power consumption. In addition, it integrates diagnostic functions for testing sensor units and signal paths, improving the reliability of the device. This diagnosis is done automatically when the sensor starts and wakes up, or it can be triggered directly by the SPI command.