Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) possess life-saving capabilities; however, electromagnetic interference (EMI) from high-performance components and varying design requirements pose significant engineering challenges. CHO-MUTEā¢ 9005 and 9025 address these issues through innovative engineering, effectively absorbing EMI radiation and safeguarding data integrity.
Customer Challenge/Requirements
ADAS components, such as backup cameras and lane detection warning systems, are essential to the modern driving experience. While this technology plays a crucial role in accident prevention and mitigating the severity of unavoidable incidents, it also presents numerous engineering challenges. The complex sensor and radar assemblies found in today’s vehicles are susceptible to significant electromagnetic interference (EMI) from surrounding electronics, as well as EMI radiation generated by the devices themselves. This latter source can lead to data inaccuracies and compromise safety and reliability. Therefore, EMI-shielding materials are vital for ensuring these systems operate effectively every time. The materials used must be both high-performing and flexible, as design requirements are often broad and somewhat ambiguous.
Design Requirements
Materials used for automotive EMI protection must effectively shield delicate sensors and electronics from harsh conditions. As devices become increasingly powerful, the signals they emit can lead to internal competition. Without proper management, this can create unfavorable working conditions where chips interfere with one another. The products employed must prevent any form of interference or resonance and should be both flexible and customizable. Each automotive manufacturer has different specifications regarding size, shape, and thickness, so engineers should always anticipate potential modifications during manufacturing. While various options are available for EMI protection, absorbers are particularly well-suited for higher frequencies found in automotive devices, as they are designed to absorb electronic noise and safeguard sensitive devices and circuits.
Solution
Parker Chomerics’ CHO-MUTE 9005, 9009, and 9025 provide customers with both performance and design flexibility. These elastomer-based absorber materials are specifically engineered to offer a user-friendly solution for reducing unwanted electromagnetic radiation from electronic devices, while also minimizing cavity-to-cavity cross-coupling and microwave cavity resonances. Made from a silicone elastomer matrix infused with ferrous filler material, these absorbers deliver RF absorption performance across a broad frequency range of 500 MHz to 18 GHz.
These absorbers can be utilized in two main applications:
1. On top of EMI-radiating components
2. Inside cavities containing components that generate EMI disturbances
CHO-MUTE 9005, 9009, and 9025 all provide a variety of customization options, enabling customers to meet specific engineering requirements. They are available as sheet stock in various thicknesses, with or without pressure-sensitive adhesive. Their flexibility allows for easy die-cutting for empirical testing of absorption solutions or assembly into cavities. Both materials have been tested and certified to the UL 94 V-0 flammability standard, making them suitable for close proximity to electronic circuitry to reduce unwanted electromagnetic radiation by absorbing signals and diminishing reflections from metallic surfaces. A wide range of fabrication techniques is available for custom part manufacturing.
Results
According to the National Safety Council, ADAS has the potential to prevent approximately 20,841 deaths each year, which accounts for about 62% of total traffic fatalities. Given the high stakes, reliability is paramount. These systems must operate effectively 100% of the time, as any failure in blind spot detection or adaptive cruise control could lead to tragic outcomes.
Like all engineering innovations from Parker Chomerics, CHO-MUTE 9005, 9009, and 9025 have undergone extensive testing and have been proven to deliver reliable performance.