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AS8579 Capacitive Sensor

Accurate capacitive presence sensing

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Product status: New

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Features

  • I/Q-Signal demodulation
  • Up to 10 independent measurement lines possible (10 SEN lines)
  • VAR&FIX_SEN function to avoid parasitic influences from cable and PCB
  • Designed according functional safety standard
  • AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified

Benefits

  • Accurate capacitive measurement (seperation of resistive and capacitive information)
  • Higher durability and lower system costs
  • Enabler for safety critical applications
  • Suitable for automotive applications

Product parameters

System Sensitivity [fF/LSB] 80
Output Resolution [Bit (accumulated)] 14
Sensing Channels [Independent SEN lines] 10
Interface SPI
Diagnostics YES
Supply Voltage [V] 5
Temperature Range [°C] -40 to 125
Package SSOP24
Automotive Qualified [AEC -Q100] Yes
External Shielding Available [For cable and PCB] Yes
Longevity Program January 2031

General description

The AS8579 is a capacitive sensor that detects the change of capacity in different applications. The capacitive sensor measures the impedance that originates between a conducting surface (metallic object) and a human being. The IC captures the current of a metal object and applies algorithms to determine the capacitive and resistive information. The outcome information can be read through a SPI Interface that can be also used for IC configuration. This high precision performance sensor also supports a multitude of diagnostic features that meet standard functional safety requirements. The capacitive sensing IC is specifically designed to function in an electro-magnetic environment (EMC) with high magnetic disturbances. This allows the sensor to distinguish in a hands-on application if the driver‘s hand is on the steering wheel or not. The AS8579 is available in an SSOP24 package and operates at a supply voltage of 5V.

This product suits for the following applications:

  • Autonomous driving applications e.g.: Hands on steering wheel detection
  • Detection of any human presence exterior of vehicles e.g.: Automatic trunk opener (trunk opens automatically and touch-less by detection of human foot near the sensor only)
  • Fluid Level Measurement

Tools

Title Category Headline Buy
USBI&PBox Accessories USB I&P Box for I2C/SPI
AS8579 Eval Kit Application Board Evaluation Kit for AS8579
AS8579 Adapter Board Application Board Adapter Board for AS8579

Technical documents

Type Description Language
Datasheet AS8579 Datasheet English
Application Note AS8579 SPI Configuration English
Application Note USB Interface & Programming Box English
Product Brief AS8579 features, benefits, applications English

Environmental documents

Type Description Language
RoHS Certificate AS8579 RoHS Certificate English

Other information

Type Description Language
Block Diagram AS8579 Block Diagram English
Factsheet Application Sheet English
Factsheet Product Factsheet English
Factsheet Application Sheet for Fluid Level Sensing enabled by AS8579 – Capacitive Sensor English
Image AS8579 SSOP24 Picture

AS8579 Capacitive Sensor

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HoD video AS8579

Watch the AS8579 capacitive sensor video

With the rise of automated driving, hands-on wheel detection is gaining importance. Besides comfort, the main motivation of driver assistance systems is a safer driving experience. ams OSRAM AS8579 capacitive sensor provides flexible, reliable and long-lasting capacitive sensing for human interaction detection and can also be used in various applications in the Automotive sector for other types of measurements such as fluid levels. This sensor detects capacitive changes between an electrode and its SEN-lines which are attached to a fluid tank and thanks to its contactless measurement method, it also gives information about the fluid level.

Capacitive Sensor AS8579 - demo video

Watch the demo using AS8579 capacitive sensor

The development of new, more sophisticated ADAS functions, and in the future fully or partly autonomous driving systems, promise huge benefits for car users and for society – smoothing traffic flow, the aim of reduced number of accidents in which the driver is at fault, and making road travel more enjoyable. Safety must always come first. ADAS technology requires the driver to stay alert and focused on the road. By introducing the first system for hands-on detection which cannot be fooled, and which works in all driving conditions, ams has made a huge contribution to the safety of the next generation of ADAS-equipped vehicles.

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