Together with customers, suppliers, universities and research institutes,we are continually seeking new ideas and applications.

Our engineers put their experience and skills to work in the creative search for new technologies that will add value across our wide range of sensing applications. Over the years, we have extended our technology portfolio from relatively simple pressure sensors towards multi-sensing, hybrid devices with dedicated algorithms and electronics, as well as cutting-edge technologies, such as the 3D MLI Sensor™.

Technology		Principle		Products/Applications
		Uses variable resistance to measure pressure applied to a sensor cell see more >>		• Occupant Classification (OC™) • Passenger Presence Detection (PPD) • Protecto™ • Seat Belt Reminder (SBR) • HMI for the car interior • Slider • Scroller • Touchpad
		Produced using IEE's printing technology, activation of these sensors is practically force-free see more >>		• Slider • Scroller • Touchpad
		Detects when a hand is near the sensor, allowing activation of individual device components without contact see more >>
		Electromagnetic communication between sensor antenna and child seat by means of resonators see more >>		• Child Seat Presence and Orientation Detection (CPOD)
		Evaluates change in electrical field to classify seat occupancy see more >>		• BodySense™
		Measures time-of-flight of modulated infrared light to provide topographic vision see more >>		• Object Classifier • People Counter • Tailgate Detector
		Fluorescence lifetime measurement based on frequency domain method see more >>		• Oxygen concentration measurement in modified air packaging (food industry) • Bacteria detection (agricultural industry)
		Vibration-sensitive films yield a measurable electric output each time the polymer material is deflated see more >>		• Vehicle occupant detection • Heartbeat and breath monitoring

From simple sensors to cutting-edge hybrid devices

These are the key technologies on which we base our sensing systems:

Force Sensing Resistor (FSR)
FSR uses variable resistance to measure pressure applied to a sensor cell. This technology is very reliable and can be incorporated in thin and flexible applications. FSR also allows a high degree of design freedom and adapts to a simple electronic interface.

The following automotive safety products are based on FSR technology: Occupant Classification (OC™), Passenger Presence Detection (PPD), Seat Belt Reminder (SBR) and Protecto™. Various other applications, such as press buttons and force sensing buttons for man-machine interfaces in car interiors and consumer electronics, are also based on the FSR principle.

Capacitive sensing
Capacitive sensing technology enables neraly force-free activation. As a consequence, these sensors can be activated with very little force and are generally used in devices requiring switsches, sliders , scrollers, touchpads, or combinations of all four.

To ensure that capacitive sensors can be securely activated under all conditions (for example when moisture is present or when thicker gloves are worn), the sensor can be combined with a Force Sensing Resistor.

Proximity sensing
Proximity sensing technology is able to detect when a hand is near the sensor, allowing individual device compnents to be activated without contact. An example of this is illuminating specific areas of a device only when input is required.

A variant of the capacitive sensor, proximity sensors can also be combined with a Force Sensing Resistor to create a force-activated switch function.

Electromagnetic sensing
Communication between sensor antenna and object (via resonators) detects presence and orientation of a mounted child seat. Based on “contactless” detection, it is simple to add on to other Occupant Detection and Classification (ODC) products. This technology is mainly used in our Child Seat Presence and Orientation Detection (CPOD) solution for the automotive industry.

Electric field sensing
 Detects changes in an electrical field to classify seat occupancy. Based on simple seat integration, it provides a price-competitive solution for complying with the U.S. National Highway & Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) regulation 208 on occupant crash protection. Our BodySense™ system is based on this technology.

3D MLI Sensor™
MLI (modulated light intensity) technology is based on the optical time-of-flight (TOF) principle. An active, non-scanning light source emits modulated near-infrared light. The phase difference between the light emitted by the source and the light reflected by the persons and objects in the field of view is measured to create a real-time topographic image of the monitored area. Our people and object sensing solutions Tailgate Detector, People Counter and Volumetric Object Classifier use this technology.

Key technology advantages:

• High reliability in changing light conditions (sensor emits its own illumination)
• Extreme accuracy due to specially programmed algorithms and extensive test matrices
• Embedded software (all-in-one smart sensor)
• Semi-automatic calibration and self-diagnosis
• Easy installation due to small and low-weight sensor
• Easy integration with existing access control or alarm systems
   

Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLI)
FLI is based on the delay between the absorption and the emission of light by a fluorescent molecule (called fluorescence lifetime). This delay can vary depending on the environmental conditions (e.g. presence of gas, proteins and bacteria). IEE is developing innovative FLI technology in order to provide solutions for the agricultural or food industry for applications such as bacteria detection and packaging control.

Polymer ferroelectret film
These sensors consist of vibration sensitive, electrically pooled polymer films and yield a measurable electric output every time the polymer material is deflated. As they are highly sensitive, they can detect vibrations and human vital signs such as heartbeat and breathing.
IEE is currently exploring the possibility of using this technology for occupant detection and classification in vehicles. Another application for the medical & healthcare market is heartbeat and breath monitoring.