TDK launches new MEMS sensor and IMU for automotive safety

Press Release, 11 November 2024

TDK Corporation further extends its InvenSense SmartAutomotive™ MEMS sensor family with the IAM-20685HP and IAM-20689 second generation 6-axis IMUs for automotive safety applications. Both devices deliver reliable motion data for decision-making algorithms and accurately detect vehicle dynamics in real-time to enhance advanced driver assistance (ADAS) and safety applications, which require higher levels of functional safety up to ASIL D. Mass production of IAM-20685HP and IAM-20689 has started, and samples are already available.

IAM-20685HP is capable of achieving ASIL B on all technical safety requirements. It was specifically developed to enhance ADAS applications, e.g. to increase the driver’s experience while driving or parking. With its compact size and an operating temperature of up to 125 °C, IAM-20685HP is well suited for ADAS positioning and vision systems. Furthermore, it can be used in compact modules where high computational power combined with a small size require high and stable IMU performance over a wide temperature range.

Compared to the IAM-20685HP, the IAM-20689 is a safety-focused 6-axis IMU featuring extended embedded diagnostics. It has been designed to meet systems with requirements up to ASIL D and to elevate safety in critical automotive applications, like electronic/roll stability control (ESC/RSC) and drive-by-wire (DbW).

While both components differ in ASIL, they share the same core design, package size, and register map, and both incorporate a diverse set of safety mechanisms that ensure real-time monitoring of sensor parameters. Embedded diagnostics eliminate the need for an external software library to reach the according functional safety level. This allows customers to easily integrate IAM-20685HP and IAM-20689 into their applications.

“Thanks to the IAM-20689, TDK can offer more flexibility to automotive safety customers by eliminating the need for multiple 3-axis sensors in the vehicle. This simplifies system complexity, enhances ease of use, and provides opportunities for miniaturization”, says Alberto Marinoni, Sr, Director Product Marketing Automotive at InvenSense, a TDK Group company. “Most safety applications today rely on a limited number of axes, rendering current solutions partially blind and unable to gather all vehicle dynamics. Transitioning to a 6-axis solution ensures no motion information is missed, unlocking broader application possibilities for developers.”

IAM-20685HP and IAM-20689 take advantage of TDK’s proprietary MEMS fabrication technology that offers improved reliability compared to other MEMS fabrication technologies available. They have both been developed as a Safety Element out of Context (SEooC) and are automotive qualified according to AEC-Q100 grade 1. Both sensors are available in a small 4.5 × 4.5 × 1.1 mm³ QFN package with wettable flanks options that allow visual inspection at the end of the assembly line.