Freescale claims smallest TPMS in world

On 20 October Freescale Semiconductor introduced the FXTH87 tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) family, which the company claims is the smallest integrated TPMS solution available. Weighing in at just 0.3 grams the FXTH87 family is said to be 50 per cent smaller than competing products. Freescale reports that its newest TPMS provides low power consumption combined with the highest level of functional integration in one package, featuring a dual-axis accelerometer architecture, pressure and temperature sensor, integrated MCU, RF transmitter and low frequency receiver.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 23,000 accidents and 535 vehicle fatalities occur in the US each year involving flat tires or blowouts. According to IHS iSuppli, TPMS will represent more than 25 per cent of the total pressure measurement market for automotive sensors by 2015.

“We have a long history of innovation and success in pressure systems and in the automotive market, and we’re leveraging that history to bring this tiny, integrated, low-power system solution to our automotive customers,” said Babak Taheri, vice president and general manager for Freescale’s sensors solutions division. “In TPMS, size and weight are critical, because the system is installed on the car’s tyre. We are offering a one-of-a-kind solution that can help improve the safety and efficiency of virtually every car on the road.”

Enclosed in a 7x7x2.2 mm package, the FXTH87 family provides the smallest footprint available, enabling form factors ideal for tire pressure sensor module developers to reduce the weight and overall bill of materials costs. The industry’s lowest RF power consumption at 7 mA ldd significantly extends battery life. Both the single- and dual-axis accelerometer options improve accuracy and facilitate more precise tire localization implementation and universal interoperability for original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket applications. And the integrated MCU and dedicated firmware offer the largest customer flash memory at 8 KB, increasing application flexibility and reducing time to market.

“Maintaining properly inflated tyres is one of the best things a driver can do for his car – it makes the vehicle safer, improves efficiency and increases fuel economy,” said Charles Zhang, CEO at Baolong Group. “Freescale’s TPMS has the kind of optimized integration and small form factor that our customers expect, while also helping to reduce bill of materials costs for us. It’s a win-win solution.”