Novel Multimodal Feedback Techniques for In-Car Mid-Air Gesture Interaction

This paper presents an investigation into the effects of different feedback modalities on mid-air gesture interaction for infotainment systems in cars. Car crashes and near-crash events are most commonly caused by driver distraction. Mid-air interaction is a way of reducing driver distraction by reducing visual demand from infotainment. Despite a range of available modalities, feedback in mid-air gesture systems is generally provided through visual displays. We conducted a simulated driving study to investigate how different types of multimodal feedback can support in-air gestures. The effects of different feedback modalities on eye gaze behaviour, and the driving and gesturing tasks are considered. We found that feedback modality influenced gesturing behaviour. However, drivers corrected falsely executed gestures more often in non-visual conditions. Our findings show that non-visual feedback can reduce visual distraction significantl

Hard macrocells for DC/DC converter in automotive embedded mechatronic systems

A novel configurable DC/DC converter architecture, to be integrated as hard macrocell in automotive embedded systems, is proposed in the paper. It aims at realizing an intelligent voltage regulator. With respect to the state of the art, the challenge is the integration into an automotive-qualified chip of several advanced features like dithering of switching frequency, nested control loops with both current and voltage feedback, asynchronous hysteretic control for low power mode, slope control of the power FET gate driver, and diagnostic block against out-of-range current or voltage or temperature conditions. Moreover, the converter macrocell can be connected to the in-vehicle digital network, exchanging with the main vehicle control unit status/diagnostic flags and commands. The proposed design can be configured to work both in step-up and step-down modes, to face a very wide operating input voltage range from 2.5 to 60 V and absolute range from −0.3 to 70 V. The main target is regulating all voltages required in the emerging hybrid/electric vehicles where, besides the conventional 12 V DC bus, also a 48 V DC bus is present. The proposed design supports also digital configurability of the output regulated voltage, through a programmable divider, and of the coefficients of the proportional-integrative controller inside the nested control loops. Fabricated in 0.35 μm CMOS technology, experimental measurements prove that the IC can operate in harsh automotive environments since it meets stringent requirements in terms of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, operating temperature range, out-of-range current, or voltage condition

General study for using LED to replace traditional lighting devices

Author name used in this publication: K. W. E. ChengPower Electronics Research CentreRefereed conference paper2006-2007 > Academic research: refereed > Refereed conference paperVersion of RecordPublishe

RGB interface emulation with Infineon Aurix MCU

openQuesta ricerca studia l’emulazione dell’interfaccia RGB digitale parallela utilizzando il microcontrollore AurixTM TC3xx di Infineon, in particolare la variante TC375. Nonostante le caratteristiche avanzate del microcontrollore, manca un supporto nativo per questa interfaccia. Questo studio cerca di risolvere questa limitazione utilizzando il General Timer Module (GTM) della famiglia Aurixtexttrademark, con particolare attenzione alle applicazioni automotive. Una panoramica di Infineon e del suo dipartimento MC di Padova fornisce le basi e spiega le motivazioni alla base della ricerca. Viene approfondita la conoscenza delle basi tecnologiche, evidenziando l’architettura System on Chip AurixTM TC37x, il GTM e l’interfaccia RGB digitale parallela. Hardware e strumenti chiave come la scheda di sviluppo TC375 Lite Kit di Aurix, l’analizzatore logico Saleae 16 Pro e l’oscilloscopio Tektronix serie 6 sono messi in evidenza per illustrare il loro ruolo centrale nel processo di ricerca. La metodologia di ricerca è dettagliata e comprende considerazioni sulla progettazione del sistema e tecniche di implementazione del firmware. L’obiettivo primario è emulare l’interfaccia RGB a una frequenza di aggiornamento di 100 Hz per immagini in scala di grigi a 8 bit. I risultati confermano la fattibilità dello sforzo di emulazione. I test funzionali verificano la corretta temporizzazione del sistema e l’integrità del segnale. Tuttavia, sono emersi alcuni vincoli, in particolare le limitazioni hardware, come le difficoltà di trasferimento dei dati al GTM a causa del System Peripheral Bus e la mancanza di flessibilità nella selezione del clock dell’interfaccia RGB. Nonostante queste difficoltà, i risultati confermanoil potenziale dell’emulazione con il microcontrollore AurixTM TC375. Lo studio si conclude evidenziando le implicazioni e proponendo strade per la ricerca futura, suggerendo il passaggio alla serie TC39x e l’esplorazione del supporto di immagini RGB a colori. La sintesi di questa ricerca evidenzia la sua rilevanza per l’emulazione avanzata di interfacce basate su microcontrollori, in particolare nel settore automobilistico.This research investigates the emulation of the Digital Parallel RGB Interface using the InfineonAurixTMTC3xx microcontroller, specifically the TC375 variant. Despite the advanced features of the microcontroller, there is an inherent lack of native support for this interface. This study attempts to address this limitation by using the General Timer Module (GTM) inherent to the AurixTMfamily, with a primary focus on automotive applications. An overview of Infineon and its MC department in Padua provides the basis and explains the motivation behind the research. A deeper understanding of the technological basis is established, highlighting the AurixTM TC37x System on Chip Architecture, the GTM and the Digital Parallel RGB Interface. Key hardware and tools such as the AurixTM TC375 Lite Kit Development Board, the Saleae 16 Pro Logic Analyzer, and the Tektronix 6 Series Oscilloscope are highlighted to illustrate their central role in the research process. The research methodology is detailed and includes system design considerations and firmware implementation techniques. The primary objective is to emulate the RGB interface at a refresh rate of 100 Hz for 8-bit grayscale images. The results confirmthe feasibility of the emulation effort. Functional tests verify correct system timing and signal integrity. However, certain constraints are revealed, particularly hardware limitations such as the challenges of transferring data to the GTM due to the System Peripheral Bus and the lack of flexibility in selecting the RGB interface clock. Despite these challenges, the results confirmthe potential of emulation using the AurixTM TC375 microcontroller. The study concludes by highlighting the implications and offering avenues for future research, suggesting transitions to the TC39x series and the exploration of full-color RGB image support. The summary of this research highlights its relevance to advanced microcontrollerbased interface emulation, particularly in the automotive domain

Adaptive Automotive Lighting Systems

Over the past few years, the use of LEDs within the automotive and avionic industries has increased due to their high efficiency, durability and wide range of light brightness. As the use of LEDs within these industries grows, a need for reliable, high performance drivers becomes more relevant. Companies are implementing LEDs for applications involving adaptive lighting or simple dimming features. This thesis shows implementation of various non-isolated analog converters integrated with digital dimmers to achieve these adaptive lighting systems. Adaptive lighting systems involve reading an input from an external source (brake pedal or steering wheel) and changing the brightness and/or pattern of the brake/headlights to convey more information to the driver and their surroundings. The analog converters will implement Linear Technology’s LED driver IC’s, while the digital dimmers comprise of microcontrollers and discrete components. The design, simulation, and hardware verification will showcase the abilities of these analog converters. Results will demonstrate the proposed applications for both adaptive front and brake lighting

High-resolution headlamps – technology analysis and system design

High-resolution vehicle headlamps are the technological way to intelligently illuminate the traffic area to increase safety and comfort. For the technical realization of these headlamps, different technologies come into question, which are the subject of intensive research at universities and among the manufacturers. We present an overview of the possible technologies and analyze their potential for use in high-resolution headlamps. Furthermore, we explain how the design of the optical system for the different technologies can be made. Another part of this paper is the comparison of published prototypes of high-resolution headlamps and the compilation of key properties