ON Semiconductor sensor at heart of Subaru ADAS platform

New features have been added to the the car maker’s next generation EyeSight platform using ON Semiconductor’s AR0231AT 2.3MP HDR automotive ADAS image sensor

“Our sensor enables the new EyeSight system to include active lane change assist and an emergency driver stop system alongside adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and pre-collision braking system,” explains Joseph Notaro, Vice President - WW Automotive Strategy and Business Development, ON Semiconductor.

The collaboration with Subaru commenced in 2009 when the car maker introduced its EyeSight 3 program.

“We were in at the beginning of the process when Subaru conceived the EyeSight system. We work closely with Subaru from pre-concept stage, we share test results. It is a deep research and development co-operation,” says Notaro.

The AR0231AT is a 1/2.7-inch CMOS digital image sensor with an active-pixel array of 1928Hx1208V.

It includes LED Flicker Mitigation (LFM) that eliminates high frequency LED flicker from traffic signs and vehicle LED lighting and allows Traffic Sign Reading algorithms to operate in all light conditions.

The sensor also uses the latest 3.0 micron Back Side Illuminated (BSI) pixel with ON Semiconductor’s DR-Pix technology, which offers dual conversion gain for improved performance under all lighting conditions. It captures images in linear, HDR or LFM modes, and offers frame-to-frame context switching between modes.

The AR0231AT also includes features that support ASIL B.

It has a -40 to + 105 C ambient temp range and is fully AEC-Q100 qualified.

“Next-generation vehicles require several different kinds of sensors, including LiDAR, radar, and cameras, comprising the vehicle’s ADAS. These sensors gather data and feed it into a much larger processor (or set of processors) capable of making real-time decisions about what’s happening outside and inside the vehicle, and how the vehicle should respond,” stated Patrick Moorhead, founder, president and principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy.“I believe ON Semiconductor’s market leading position and proven track record of more than 50 years in the automotive market, coupled with a focus on safety and quality, a global support structure and roadmap featuring all sensor modalities makes them a compelling choice for any OEM or Tier 1 automotive manufacturer.”

The Subaru Levorg, a 2020 All-Wheel Drive Sports Tourer, is the first model to offer the new generation EyeSight system.

Through the collaboration the number of features provided by the EyeSight platform has proliferated.

“Driver safety is a good example,” says Notaro. “Using the sensor, EyeSight can detect if a drive is dozing or taken ill. It can then send data to the car’s ECU to stop the car safely.”

Our aim, working with Subaru, is to achieve zero traffic deaths.”

On Semiconductor has a fine pedigree in supplying sensors and sensing cameras to the automotive market. “Eight out of ten cars will have an ON Semiconductor sensing camera,” adds Notaro.

“And we have a 60% share of the automotive imager market.”