Title
Immobiliser System for petrol and diesel vehicle engines uses MCM
MCM technology improves performance and cost of engine immobiliser
Technologies used

MCM

Industrial sector (PRODCOM code)
    34-35 Parts and accessories for motor vehicles
Abstract
Electronic Service Chemnitz is a small company with 5 employees. Main business is the design, manufacturing and distribution of devices and equipment in the field of electronic alarm, monitoring and security systems. One important product in this area is the SEW1010 immobilizer system to be used in cars, lorries, motorbikes and motor-boats with fuel or diesel engines.

The objective of the Application Experiment was to reach an extended market share for this product, and an essential improvement of the company's competitive situation at all. Before starting the project, the immobilizer system was used only for retrofitting purpo-ses. The application range should be extended to installations in new cars. In order to meet these objectives, a lot of technical features had to be implemented into the system. An additional difficulty was the existing standards in the automotive industry sector which had to be met.

The new product offers
· a higher reliability
· high safety against unauthorised use and theft
· improved technical features (e.g. control of different systems which are relevant for starting the car)
· extended temperature range

The only way to solve the problems was the introduction of MCM technology into the product and, going beyond the scope of the Application Experiment, into the daily business of Electronic Service. The necessary know-how was not available and was transferred within this project.

The manager and the staff have their origins more in the technical than the commercial area. That's why the benefits offered by microelectronics were known. The main barrier that prevented to start such a project before was more a technical and know-how-oriented one than a psychological. The microelectronics experience was restricted to the design of conventional PCBs with discrete analogue or digital standard components. Within the Application Experiment the company learned to plan and manage MCM projects. Basic knowledge in MCM technology and design methodology was transfer-red. The company got knowledge in manufacturing technologies of MCMs using ceramic substrates as base materials and MCM test strategies as well. Within the immobilizer, the MCM is mainly used as AM demodulator, high selective filter and comparator. It contains about 122 components including 6 dices. The immobilizer system will be installed in different car types, a modification of the system is therefore necessary. This was the reason to transfer also know-how in microcontroller technology and programming methodologies to Electronic Service.

The project was started in April 1997 and ran for 13 months, which was 3 months longer than planned. The reason were other unforeseen businesses of the company which prevented a continous work on the project. The total costs of the AE were 75 kECU.

Assuming a product life time of at least 5 years, the expected ROI for the FUSE investment will be about 1000%. This is, because the company was able now to open up the door for a real mass production with continously increasing sales figures. The resulting payback period will be about two years.
Company
Electronic Service Chemnitz
Parkstraße 9a
09120 Chemnitz
Detailed information
You can also benefit from microelectronics

MCM technology provided Electronic Service Chemnitz with the means of improving its products and enhancing its market position. You can also achieve significant benefits by acquiring the right microelectronics technology and utilising it in your product or manufacturing process. You can get help from FUSE to realise this.

FUSE is a technology transfer programme, funded by the European Commission to stimulate the wider use of microelectronics technologies by European enterprises to increase their competitiveness and enhance their economic growth. The demonstrator described here is one of many examples in the public FUSE portfolio covering the whole spectrum of microelectronics technologies and spanning a wide range of applications and industry sectors.

FUSE provides you with:

  • Best practice in acquiring specific microelectronics technologies and conducting full development projects through the FUSE portfolio of real life demonstrator documents.
  • Local training and expert support to plan your innovation realistically and help you conduct your project successfully.

Further information and support relating to this and other demonstrators can be obtained from the addresses below.
Further information   Guiding Technology Transfer Node
For further information and support regarding this case study, please contact a Technology Transfer Node (TTN) in your region.
Homepage: http://www.fuse-network.com
Gesellschaft fur Mikroelektronikanwendung Chemnitz mbH
Matthesstrasse 53
D-09113 Chemnitz
Germany