Autonomous Driving: Peters at Forefront of Technology

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MID4automotive: This is a publicly funded research project in the field of microelectronics/automotive, where Peters is involved alongside numerous other electrical engineering companies and institutes. The main focus is on improved radar systems in vehicles, with a view to autonomous driving. The aim is to integrate automotive radar systems directly into the plastic surfaces of bumpers and mirrors which will enable a more comprehensive detecting of the surroundings. Important radar systems can be positioned, for the first time, at best-suited points around the vehicle. What is more, complex electronics can be integrated into the smallest of installation spaces, MID giving developers completely new design options for technical systems.

Peters is contributing the 2-component primer FP 1321-1029 to this project. Applied by injection molding, the laser-structurable primer ensures that the innovative radar system can be integrated directly into plastic attachment parts on the vehicle. The Peters product FP 1321-1029 is known in the industry for its excellent adhesion even on difficult substrates and under harshest conditions. The Peters coating offers, among other things, a high corrosion protection and chemical resistance, both in frost and heat. Curing takes place through a chemical reaction of the components.

"The black, laser-structurable primer also adheres excellently to plastics and to polyamide in particular," reports Markus Wieler. The Global Business Development Manager of Peters is supporting the research process via a consortium where the coatings manufacturer from the Lower Rhine area is also particpating. The project coordinator among the industrial partners is NXP Semiconductors Netherlands BV. Besides Peters, other leading technology companies are cooperating, as well as research laboratories such as the Heinz Nixdorf Institute and the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechatronic Design Technology IEM. Fraunhofer IEM also manages regional coordination, while Paderborn University has assumed the role of diffusion coordinator. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, among others. Peters is an associated partner along with Mitsubishi and VW.

Transferring MID technology to automotive engineering

Through their involvement in the consortium, Peters ensures that a technology already commonplace in the smartphone sector continues to expand its potential in automotive engineering. Markus Wieler: "We are doing pioneer work in this field." The technical background is as follows: Metallisation after priming creates conductor patterns on 3-dimensional components. "The process is called 3D-MID," says Markus Wieler, explaining the added value generated in the consortium by the Peters partnership. With this structure-integrated electronics, MID4automotive develops cost-effective, high-performance and highly integrated radar systems that can be incorporated directly into plastic surfaces.

3D-MID technology stands for "moulded interconnect device", i.e. injection-moulded components. The radar transceivers integrated in this way are directly connected to the antennas in order to minimise losses due to reflection, attenuation or phase shift. The quality of the primer plays an important role in the partial metallisation of the plastic parts so that electronic circuits can be integrated on them. This is where Peters' expertise comes into play..

Launched in March 2023, the electronics research project towards automated driving will run until spring 2026. The kick-off meeting to initiate the project was recently held at the Audi Zentrum in Ingolstadt, while the last consortium meeting with Peters' participation took place in Eindhoven a few days ago. Via the EUREKA network, Peters is involved in a European initiative for the realisation of application-oriented cross-border research projects with strategic focus. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research as one of the sponsors, points to its orientation on "economic strength and social benefit" for the participating countries.