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Laser 3D Imaging Makes Airbags Smarter Researchers at Siemens and the Fraunhofer Society for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems in The technology, multiple double-short-time integration (MDSI), directs NIR, low-power laser pulses through the vehicle passenger compartment. A CMOS image converter with extremely short integration time detects the reflected light, which is then processed by an image converter chip. In only 0.001 s, the distances of 1000 different object points are simultaneously meas ured to an accuracy of 1 cm, creating a 3D image of objects in the passenger compartment. Updates on occupant data are near real time, allowing the active restraint system to deploy airbags more intelligently during impacts and collisions. And miniaturization makes the technology transparent to the end user. Contact Siemens Automo tive Corp., Safety Electronics Restraint Systems Group, 2400 Executive Hills Dr., Auburn Hills, MI 48326; 248-209-4000, fax 248-209-4040, info@siemensauto.com, www.siemensauto.com. Climatic Chambers Put Equipment to the Test
The Doriot Climatic Chambers at the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center in Natick, MA, part of the U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command, are available for use by the private sector. Capable of simulating worldwide weather conditions, the chambers provide a test environment for all types of clothing and equipment. The facilities include both arctic and tropic wind tunnels, with wind, rain, solar, temperature, and RH capabilities as well as arctic and tropic conditioning rooms. Temperatures inside the chambers can be controlled to within 1ºF and range from –70ºF to 165ºF. With an ability to simulate rain up to 4 in./hr. and wind to 40 mph, the chambers provide invaluable insight into how new items will perform in just about any environment. Other types of testing are also offered at Natick’s biomechanical laboratory, altitude chamber, and textile facilities, with tours upon request. Contact Jane Simpson, U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center, Kansas St., Natick, MA 01760-5018; 508-233-5295, fax 508-233-5898, jane.simpson@natick.army.mil, www.sbccom.army.mil. NASA Satellite Technology Will Monitor Motor Vehicle Pollution
NASA’s atmospheric remote sensing technology, originally developed to track global greenhouse The technology has been exclusively licensed to SPX Corp., which will offer a basic unit by the end of this year. SPX and NASA expect to begin manufacturing a highly enhanced version before the end of 2001; the second-generation product will be able to test heavy-duty diesel vehicles. As individual roadside exhaust measurements are taken, each vehicle’s license plate will be photographed and the data will be transmitted to a central collecting point. Drivers whose vehicles fail or give marginal readings will be identified for additional testing and, possibly, emissions-related repairs. Those drivers whose vehicles pass this on-the-fly screening will be mailed a notice certifying that their vehicles have passed twice in a 12-month period and that they do not have to submit to an emissions test. Contact Craig Rendahl, SPX Corp., PO Box 90386, Tucson, AZ 85752-0386; 520-241-1572, fax 520-628-4561, crendahl@spx ateg.com. Eddy Current Sortation Cleans Up the Waste Stream
The French firm LEAS has developed an eddy current–based sortation system for ferrous and When an object passes along the conveyor, the sensor identifies its type and generates a signal. If the object belongs to a previously specified range of materials, either a manual or an automatic sorting mode can be selected. In the manual mode, a signal is sent to a light that assists the operator by illuminating the object. In automated mode, the signal is sent to a fully automated packaging extractor and the product is ejected pneumatically. The system uses low-voltage electronics, with the sensor remaining on standby until an object approaches. Parameters can be adjusted on site via an RS-485 link. Configurable by a simple switch, the LEAS-AR can detect and identify various types of aluminum packaging, rigid and semirigid packaging (aerosols, cans, etc.), packaging for consumable liquids, and soft packaging. Purity and extraction levels approach 98% of the aluminum content input. The system can also be used in packaging sortation units, waste incineration and treatment plants, car crushers, flotation plants, and nonferrous metal producing plants and foundries. Contact French Technology Press Office, Inc., One E. Wacker Dr., Ste. 3740, Chicago, IL 60601; 312-222-1235, fax 312-222-1237, ftpousa@aol.com. Handhelds Go Single-Digit with the X,Y,Z IC
The PixiPoint Z Serial IC, an advanced encoder for strain gauge miniature joysticks with Z-axis functionality, is the first IC designed specifically to permit the use of pointing sticks in handhelds, cell phones, and wireless Internet appliances. The user can point and tap-to-select with a single finger, much as users of cell phones do with arrow keys. The device is also the first IC meeting the electrical, low-power, and protocol requirements of products with RISC-based architectures. Operating between 3 and 5 V, and consuming <3 mA max., it is suitable for battery-powered systems. The IC outputs strictly low-voltage CMOS. Extra transistors can be added to translate to RS-232 for convenient prototyping, and it can be plugged into the serial port for immediate use in existing designs. An advanced motion algorithm provides smooth and accurate cursor control in X,Y,Z. The Tap (select), Double Tap (execute), and Press Hold (drag) functions are incorporated in the controller. No special serial drivers are needed to access the Z functions. Other features include CleanStop, which ensures that the cursor stops the instant the user wants it to, and EasyDrag, which facilitates object handling by reducing cursor speed when the user is dragging an object on the desktop. If a driver is used, the track stick IC enables Scroll as well as Autoscroll and Panning; the latter allows both horizontal and vertical movement. Contact USAR Systems, Inc., 568 Broadway, New York, NY 10012; 212-226-2042, fax 212-226-3215, info@usar.com, www.usar.com.
Contact Sensors, Research & Developments, 275 Grove Street, Suite 2-130, Newton, MA 02466; 617-219-8300 fax 617-219-8310, svlhenkel@questex.com. |
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Duisburg, Germany, have devloped a 3D object recognition sensor based entirely on semiconductor components. One application: safer automotive airbag deployment.
gases and the Earth’s protective ozone layer, is being adapted into an autonomous roadside system being developed for motor vehicle emission monitoring. In space, remote sensors mounted on satellites use backlighting from the sun to take global atmospheric measurements as part of its Earth Science Enterprise program. On Earth, as cars and trucks pass through a low-power light beam without stopping or slowing down, electro-optical sensors will instantly analyze their exhaust emissions. According to NASA researcher Glen Sachse, the plan is to take a meas urement of all the gases of interest every 0.001 s in the space of 0.5 s.
nonferrous packaging in domestic and other waste streams. The sensor assembly is housed in a removable rack under the waste conveyor belt. Each sensor is connected to a microproccessor-driven controller that calculates the coordinates, type, and speed of the object of interest, as well as the mechanical data for ejection, such as blowing parameters.
