PSI5-based pedestrian sensor testing
In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of the peripheral sensor interface in automotive sensor applications. Read our discussion on how to test PSI5 sensors.
What is PSI5?
PSI5 is an open standard based on an existing standard used in airbag sensors. These sensors have been used in their millions and carry an attractive implementation price when adopting new sensor types.
Implementation of the standard is free of charge in relation to licensing.
The PSI5 technical specification (V1.3) has been jointly developed between Autoliv, Bosch, Continental Frescale and TRW.
Testing PSI5 Sensors
While easy to implement on an electronic control unit (ECU) in terms of hardware cost, there are very few suppliers of equipment capable of interrogating the PSI5 bus in a manner suitable for the production line.
Many of these sensors are being introduced into the market and often it is important to verify that the sensor has been fitted correctly, both electrically and to ensure the correct device has been fitted.
Pedestrian sensors
Many of the PSI5 sensors available are targeted at pedestrian safety applications; protecting pedestrians from moving vehicles.
It is thus important to ensure that these sensors are correctly fitted, and will respond correctly in the event of an impact.
In some cases both mechanical and electronic testing methods should be employed for optimum test coverage.
Automation
Testing in a production environment differs significantly from lab type testing, both in terms of equipment robustness and in terms of operation.
In production it will be necessary for the test to be controlled from a programmable logic controller (PLC), typically as one of many sub-assembly processes.
Minimizing Takt or cycle time during testing is key to maintaining efficient manufacturing and should be one of the focuses of the test equipment.
Diagnostics
Beyond high-speed testing requirements, it is also useful to be able to diagnose failed units. For the most part, failures will be down to a number of assembly faults, such as trapped, broken wires, intermittent connectors or incorrectly manufactured sensors.
When a sensor does not operate correctly, having a user interface can help solve systematic failures due to production assembly issues.
Robustness
Because there is a danger of shorted or broken wires, any PSI5 test equipment should aim to be both electrically and mechanically robust, to withstand many kinds of abuse. One system that can support this type of testing is the Genix Test Unit.
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