In established automotive markets where vehicle production is largely static, TT electronics - a technological innovator specialising in the field of automotive electronics - reported a 10% increase in its automotive business for the year ended December 2004.

This is in part attributable to TT electronics’ visionary strategy in identifying opportunities to increase its capabilities in cutting-edge technology.

The acquisition of Autopad® technology from the Generics Group in March 2004 enabled TT electronics to create a centre of design and technology excellence – TT electronics Technology Limited (TTeT) – to develop next generation technology.

TTeT will incorporate progressive technological solutions into the Group’s existing portfolio of products and apply expertise within the Group to turn creative concepts into reality.

The Cambridge-based design centre is now home to a team of highly specialised and experienced engineers – who work in partnership with TT electronics’ customer interfacing engineers throughout the Group - to utilise advancements in technology to revolutionise design briefs.

Autopad® is TT electronics’ proprietary, inductive position sensing technology providing an alternative to traditional forms of position sensing offered by potentiometers and Hall-effect sensors. Autopad® is a commercially competitive technology, providing a highly accurate, durable alternative without geometrical restraints, yet achieves the same functional results. In contrast to Hall-effect sensors, there is no magnetic element requiring strict quality controls to maintain accuracy and compensatory measures for temperature drift – in fact, Autopad® technology is impervious to temperature variations.

The technology’s greatest potential lies in its ability to make distinctions between numerous targets without being limited by design constraints such as tight manufacturing tolerances and environmental seals. It also presents designers with the opportunity to package more switch features into smaller space envelopes. The design team uses highly advanced CAD systems to design and simulate applications of the technology, allowing virtual building and testing, which in turn dramatically reduces lead times.

Autopad® next generation technology can offer alternatives to traditional sensing applications in vehicle design and manufacture while also providing vehicle designers with the creative freedom to push interior styling to new limits in potential future applications – from entire dashboard redesign to occupant sensing for more accurate air bag deployment.

With major interest in Autopad® from current and prospective customers this ground-breaking technology looks set to challenge the design constraints of today’s sensing technology.

As demand for complex electronics in vehicles continues to grow, TT electronics will continue to invest in leading edge technology, to assist vehicle manufacturers in making design concepts reality.

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For further information about Autopad® or an informal discussion with the TT electronics design team, please contact:

Dean Fisher, Business Development Director – + 44 (0) 29 2030 0000
TT electronics Automotive Division dean.fisher@ttelectronics.com