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TRW Enhances Safety Electronics Capabilities in Europe

16 September 1999

TRW Enhances Safety Electronics Capabilities in Europe, Launches Production of New Air Bag Sensor

    FRANKFURT, Germany--Sept. 15, 1999--With full safety electronics development and manufacturing capabilities now in place in Europe, TRW Inc. recently launched production of a cost-effective Generation 5E (Gen 5E) air bag crash sensor and a side-impact sensor for European applications.
    TRW's Gen 5E sensor -- a European derivative of the company's Gen 5 sensor -- contains dual-stage air bag inflator interfaces, as well as a proprietary crash-severity algorithm and buckle-switch sensing to provide staged inflation capabilities. Its firing squib configuration will allow for personalized deployment of all air bags and pretensioners, depending on the crash situation. The Gen 5E also is compatible with TRW's newly developed "smart" side-impact air bag sensor, which has onboard crash discrimination capability.
    The global supplier is showcasing these products -- along with its wide array of safety electronics -- here at the 1999 International Automobil Ausstellung (IAA) show Sept. 14-26.
    "Together, the Gen 5E and the smart side sensors offer automakers a cost-effective introductory smart restraints solution," said Heinz Pfannschmidt, executive vice president and general manager, TRW Automotive Electronics. "These two technologies -- and several other customer applications that are currently under way -- are a testament to our broadened development and manufacturing expertise in Europe."
    The Gen 5E and smart side sensors were fully developed at TRW's Radolfzell, Germany, facility. The company has been manufacturing safety electronics in Europe for five years and adding development capabilities for the past two years. TRW continues to develop and manufacture safety electronics in North America.
    In Europe, TRW recently expanded its technical resources for hardware and software development and testing, added equipment and training for calibration and simulation work, and installed unique test equipment, including shock testers to physically validate air bag sensor performance.
    According to Pfannschmidt, the Gen 5E crash sensor -- which has extensive local (European) content -- provides cost and packaging benefits while still maintaining system performance. The sensor, which is completely sealed, also supports dual-stage air bag inflators and the CAN bus interface.
    TRW is one of the world's largest suppliers of occupant restraint systems, including electronics, air bags, seat belts and steering wheels. Anticipating future smart restraint system requirements, TRW offers a variety of innovative new sensing devices. These include:

--   A Distributed Systems Interface (DSI), cooperatively developed by
     TRW and Motorola, that enables simultaneous support for sensors
     and actuators, using a simple two-wire bus, which provides both
     power and communications;

--   A contactless buckle position sensor integrated in the existing
     seat belt buckle to determine whether an occupant is belted;

--   A contactless ISOFIX position sensor to sense the presence of a
     child seat;

--   An occupant position sensor using ultrasonic technology to detect
     occupant presence and location; and

--   Multiple weight sensors, including in-seat and in-frame
     technologies.

    TRW's Automotive Electronics business is a leading producer of electronic safety, security and convenience systems for the global automotive market. In addition to air bag crash sensors and smart restraint electronics, major product lines include remote keyless entry systems, switch and control systems, advanced theft-deterrent and security systems, driver information systems, body controllers, tire monitoring systems, and electrically assisted steering control units.
    TRW Inc. provides advanced technology products and services for the global automotive, aerospace and information systems markets. The company, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the world's largest independent automotive component suppliers. TRW Automotive produces electronic safety and security systems; occupant restraint systems; steering and suspension systems; engineered fastening systems; engine components; braking systems; diesel systems; and aftermarket replacement parts for the global automotive industry. The company's news releases are available through TRW's corporate Web site (www.trw.com).