Application of MEMS technology in automotive sensors and actuators

Sensors and actuators are the critical system components that collect and act on information in the analog environment and link it to the world of digital electronics. The functional groups of sensors, software, controller hardware, and actuators from the backbone of present and future automotive systems. Unit volumes for sensors and actuators in the automotive industry are measured in millions per year and at a unit cost of a few dollars. The design of sensors and actuators has increasingly made use of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. This technology is well suited to producing a class of micromachined sensors and actuators that combines signal processing and communications on a single silicon chip or contained within the same package. This paper contains a discussion of the issues in producing MEMS sensors and actuators from the concept selection stage to the manufacturing platform. Examples of commercial and emerging automotive sensors and actuators are given, which illustrate the various aspects of device development. Future trends in MEMS technology as applied to automotive components are also discussed.