Advanced BAP Sensors for Automotive: Infineon KP464 & KP466

Infineon Technologies AG has launched two new XENSIV™ Barometric Air Pressure (BAP) Sensors specifically designed for automotive applications: KP464 and KP466. The KP464 sensor is tailored for engine control management, while the KP466 BAP sensor enhances seat comfort functions.

The KP464 BAP sensor accurately measures atmospheric pressure, which varies with altitude and weather conditions. By utilizing the sensor's measurements, the engine management system calculates air density, ensuring an optimal air-fuel ratio. This crucial feature improves fuel efficiency, reduces power consumption, and minimizes harmful emissions like carbon dioxide. Infineon's KP464 BAP sensor combines density measurement with diagnostic capabilities, including intake manifold air pressure monitoring. Its lower power consumption and compact packaging also enhance production efficiency.

The KP466 sensor represents the next generation, providing improved comfort and a range of additional technological advantages. It enables seat manufacturers to incorporate innovative pneumatic seat systems with various features. For example, passengers can adjust the seat contours to their preference using the multi-contour seat function. The integration of air devices in the lumbar support and seat cushion allows the seats to adapt to individual body contours. The massage function enhances passenger comfort during long trips by alternately inflating and deflating the air devices. Moreover, the driving dynamics feature automatically adjusts the seat's lateral support, ensuring optimal stability in different driving conditions, including turns.

This optimized solution significantly reduces power consumption and utilizes a compact five-hole housing. The system continuously monitors pressure status and adjusts seat cushion pressure based on specific requirements. Multiple absolute pressure sensors are employed to monitor the pressure of the entire system. The KP466 sensor supports efficient system communication through the SPI interface.

Both the KP464 and KP466 sensors are high-performance and highly accurate digital absolute pressure sensors based on capacitive measurement principles. They comply with the AEC-Q103-002 standard, meeting the stringent requirements of the automotive industry. This reduces the workload and risk of errors during module and system certification. The sensors feature micro-machined surfaces and integrate signal conditioning circuits on a single chip. They convert physical pressure into digital values of 10-bit, 12-bit, or 14-bit resolution, and communicate information through the SPI interface.

Additionally, these sensors can be integrated into daisy chains, minimizing the number of connecting pins required for communication with microcontrollers, and supporting any desired number of pressure sensors. They are also compatible with other Infineon system components.

Moreover, these chips include temperature sensors, providing temperature information in 10-bit, 12-bit, or 14-bit formats through the SPI interface. Both sensors offer special power-saving modes to further reduce energy consumption. They also incorporate diagnostic features for testing sensor units and signal paths, enhancing device reliability. These diagnostics are automatically performed during sensor startup and wake-up, and can also be triggered directly using SPI commands.