One of the challenges of validating radar sensors is testing them over a full range of environmental exposures. Students on the Aptiv team will design, build and test a temperature control environment to more accurately validate radars under a wide range of environmental conditions for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Abstract:
Aptiv has been a leader in advanced safety for over 20 years. They were the first to deploy radar on a vehicle in 1999 for Adaptive Cruise Control. Today, they are an industry leader in radar, which is a proven, capable and cost effective sensing modality. Radar’s reliability across a wide range of environmental conditions, as well as advantages in packaging and integration, make it a sensor of choice for automotive applications. One of the challenges of validating radar sensors is testing them over a full range of environmental exposures. Current environmental chambers present challenges in orienting radar in all required directions while under extreme exposure at temperatures such as -40° C. Students on the Aptiv team will design, build and test a system to more accurately validate radars over a wide range of environmental conditions for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Full Project Details
Mechanical Design (2-3 students)
Specific Skills: Mechanical Design; Techniques for fast prototyping. Experimental Testing and Evaluation.
Likely Majors: ME, ISD-AUTO, ISD-GAME
Material Science (1-2 students)
Specific Skills: Analytic material evaluation techniques. Knowledge in foam and other insulating materials. Mechanically inclined and experienced or interested in design and prototyping.
Likely Majors: MSE, ChE
Thermodynamics (2-3 students)
Specific Skills: Intermediate thermodynamics concepts and modelling.
Likely Majors: CHe, MECHENG, MSE, AERO
Sponsor Mentor
Ben Dilsaver
Ben Dilsaver is the Advanced radar systems engineering manager, working for Aptiv PLC. His background includes 6 years’ experience at Aptiv developing automotive radar sensors. While at Aptiv, he worked as the lead radar systems engineer for Aptiv’s 3 generation forward looking radar sensor, which is now in high volume production. Prior to joining Aptiv he worked at a startup developing radar sensors for perimeter security applications.
Executive Mentor
James (Rick) Searcy
Rick Searcy is the Global Manager for Advanced Radar Systems, working for Aptiv PLC. His background includes over 27 years of experience in the area of automotive radar and its applications. During that time, he has led the development of 11 generations of radar sensors. He has been responsible for determining product development strategy, identifying technology needs, and managing its development. He currently holds 13 patents and 2 trade secrets in the area of automotive radar.
Faculty Mentor
Adib Nashashibi Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Adib Nashashibi has his PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of
Michigan and is a senior researcher in the University of Michigan Radiation
Laboratory (RADLAB). The RADLAB is the nation’s premier lab in applied
electromagnetics. Adib’s research interests include microwave and
millimeter-wave remote sensing, antennas, radar technology, wave propagation.
Course Substitutions: Honors, ChE Elective, CE MDE, EE MDE, IOE Grad Cognate, ISD Design Sci, ISD AUTO 503, ISD GAME, ISD Systems 503, MECHENG 490, MECHENG 590, SI Elective, SI Grad Cognate
Citizenship Requirements: This project is open to all students.
IP/NDA: Students will sign IP/NDA document(s) that are unique to Aptiv.
In Person/Remote Participation Options: Work will take place on campus in Ann Arbor, MI. Students accepting this project may have the opportunity to travel to Aptiv in Carmel, IN as safety protocols allow. (MDP will provide transportation.)
Students on this team must be able to be physically present on campus in Ann Arbor to work on physical prototypes as local safety protocols allow.
Internship/Summer Project Activities: No summer activity will take place on the project.