Multiplexed Systems Mkt. & Tech. - Excerpt

Executive Summary

Multiplexed occupant restraint systems will displace conventional systems beginning in 2000-2001 because of lower cost, simpler wiring harness, improved reliability, greater design flexibility and reduced inventory. TIER ONE projects that within a decade, half the systems and 70-80% of the value will consist of multiplexed occupant restraint systems.

As of Q1 1998, no standards have been set and no multiplex designs have been approved. The market is wide open.

Carmakers setting / approving the initial standards are European: Mercedes, BMW, Audi, VW, Volvo, possibly Saab. These companies pioneer multiple airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, side impact sensors, staged airbag deployment, and collision-sensing radar,

A parallel, more modest effort is occurring in Japan under Lexus / Toyota, Acura / Honda and Infiniti / Nissan. North American auto manufacturers are not leading this market, as they have not yet elected to install large numbers of occupant restraint devices per vehicle. Thus far, this has been a cost-driven issue.

Airbag companies setting / approving the standards are led by Autoliv in Europe, Breed and TRW in North America, and Takata in Japan.

Electronic module companies working on multiplex designs include Breed / Siemens, Bosch, Temic, Motorola, Philips and NEC. Delphi / Delco, Visteon and Denso could initiate programs at any time.

Multiplexing will force a move from bridgewire squibs to semiconductor (or other lower energy) squibs in order to reduce the size of the storage capacitor and drive transistors. The leading semiconductor squib developer are Quantic, Thiokol, Motorola / Giat, Teledyne, Philips and Auburn University. Bridgewire squib suppliers which will be displaced are SDI, OEA, Davey Bickford, Autoliv / NCS, Patvag, Daicel, In-Det and Quantic.

Technical debate continues over the location of the squib electronics in either the connector, or the squib itself. The primary airbag connector suppliers are Amphenol, Framatome and Augat. Others with strong connector capability are AMP and Thomas & Betts. The connector suppliers are watching this issue develop and attempting to influence any decision in their favor.

 

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