Child Presence Detection System

Leaving small children in a vehicle has become a problems resulting in fatalities. In North America, an average 39 children are left in cars and die each year*1. Reducing the number of fatalities in automobiles has become an issue for manufacturers as a part of their mission. For this reason, automakers are developing systems to detect the presence of children or pets in cars. In this chapter, we introduce TDK's related components and technical services regarding child presence detection systems.

Overview of the child presence detection system
Components proposed by TDK and their effects
Passive components that contribute to the communications quality of in-vehicle cameras (ADL series)
TDK is expanding its sensor portfolio
TDK products support millimeter wave sensing device development (radio wave absorbent materials, anechoic chambers)
Summary

Overview of the child presence detection system

The child presence detection system uses various sensors to detect the presence of a child or pet in the vehicle and notify and warn the driver. Euro-NCAP (European organisation for automotive safety assessment) is planning to evaluate the safety of vehicles equipped with a system to detect children left in a vehicle starting in 2022. A roadmap for evaluation criteria (Figure 1) has been formulated within Euro-NCAP, a European automobile safety testing programme, and it has been announced that evaluation of operation of child presence detection systems will be added to the scope of testing starting in 2022. *2

(*2) Euro-NCAP

Figure 1. Euro-NCAP's Evaluation Roadmap

Components proposed by TDK

Examples of representative circuits for child presence detection systems and TDK products are introduced.

Figure 2. Application Guide: Child Presence Detection

Application Guides

Automotive/Child Presence Detection System

Passive components that contribute to the communications quality of in-vehicle cameras (ADL series)

The data captured by the onboard camera must be analyzed and processed by AI to determine if the object left behind is a child or pet. The most promising candidate for this is camera-based sensing. TDK provides circuit solutions centered on decoupling inductor components (ADL series), which are key products for the PoC (Power over Coaxial) method and are ideal for digital image communications.

PoC transfer system — Figure 3. PoC Transmission System Overview

Application Note

Automotive communication interface: Products recommended for PoC use (PoC filter inductors, chip beads)

TDK is expanding its sensor portfolio

TDK makes proposals for the automotive market using materials, processes, and modularization technologies that employ magnetoresistive elements (Hall sensors and TMR sensors) and MEMS. In the field of in-vehicle sensing, we have commercialized gesture sensors that use ultrasonic waves, CO2 sensors, and MEMS microphones, and we are working to develop various sensor elements and applications in the future. MEMS microphones can be used to identify the cries of children and pets, and it is predicted that there will be a time when future cars can perform sophisticated monitoring functions.

TDK products support millimeter wave sensing device development (radio wave absorbent materials, anechoic chambers)

Sensing using millimeter wave bands is being considered as a method for detecting objects inside a vehicle. A millimeter wave sensing function with a wide frequency range of 60 GHz will be deployed as a global standard. Compared to imaging methods using visible light cameras, this method overcomes the problem of not being able to detect objects such as in cases where a child or pet is sleeping while completely covered by a blanket.

Absorbent materials for microwave anechoic chambers: IS materials

This radio wave absorbent material uses foamed polyethylene as a base and makes use of the ohm loss of carbon.
The radio wave absorbent IS material has excellent radio wave absorption performance not only for microwaves, but also from millimeter to sub-millimeter waves (up to 1 Thz).

Anechoic Chambers for Radar and Large Antenna Evaluation

Figure 5. Radio Wave Absorbent Materials for Microwave Anechoic Chambers: IS materials

Figure 6. Radio Wave Anechoic Chamber

Summary

Passenger detection systems are expected to be used not just with child presence detection systems, but also in MaaS (Mobility as a Service) and in cabin passenger control management and necessary for autonomous driving. These systems will control the air conditioning, sound, and even the opening and closing of airbags in the vehicle to provide a comfortable, safe, and secure environment. The TDK Group will continue to contribute to the creation of valuable automobiles by advancing its know-how and technologies based on its long-standing track record in automotive products.