Sensors technologies for automotive applications

Sensor requirements and sensor manufacturing technologies for automotive applications are surveyed. It is predicted that silicon integrated and/or smart sensors will be widely used when they are standardized and produced in high volumes. Nevertheless, their lengthy development time and high cost will, in many circumstances, restrain, limit, or at least delay their use. It is suggested that some kinds of hybrid integration (for example, a silicon transduction element on a thick-film hybrid or a silicon transduction element plus a silicon chip with signal conditioning electronics) can be expected in the not-too-far future. In this framework it seems reasonable to foresee that thick-film technology will be of great importance for these components