ADAS

What does “ADAS” mean?

ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems which are systems that help drivers drive more safely and more comfortably. Examples of such systems include the parking assist system which prevents the car from getting damaged when parking, or automatic headlights which switch on or off depending on the lighting conditions. 

Difference between DAS and ADAS

Two basic categories of driver assistance systems exist: DAS (Driver Assistance System) and ADAS. The term “DAS” includes original assistance systems which do not record the situation outside the vehicle, such as conventional cruise control, which is a basic system that regulates the speed of the vehicle without taking the traffic situation into account. The term “ADAS”, on the other hand, includes systems which take account of, and react to, the traffic situation such as adaptive cruise control, which adjusts the speed of the vehicle to keep a safe distance to the car ahead.

Mode of operation of an ADAS

An ADAS works in three phases:

1. Data recording: Sensors such as radar, ultrasound and LiDAR as well as high-resolution cameras record the environment.
2. Data processing: A control unit assesses the data.
3. 3. Reaction: The system generates optical, acoustic or haptic warning signals or actively takes over control of the vehicle.

Requirements of ADAS

As advanced driver assistance systems have direct access to the vehicle’s own systems, high functional safety requirements are crucial. The components must be reliable and protected from faults. The quality of data transmission between sensors and control units is particularly important, as modern systems require high bandwidths and short latency times. High-quality cables and connector systems, which transmit signals in the GhZ range, are essential for this.

Market and development trends

The ADAS market is growing rapidly and thanks to advances with Radar, LiDAR, camera and ultrasound technologies, is expected to achieve a volume of USD 86.14 billion by 2029. The demand for safety and comfort in vehicles is driving this development forward. Regions such as north America and the Asia-Pacific region are leading the market. Leading manufacturers are investing heavily in research and development to further improve ADAS systems and set new standards. This also includes the integration of artificial intelligence and sensor fusion in order to increase the safety and efficiency of the systems.