Previous Issue

Volume 43 Number 1 (2012.3)

Special Feature

Active Safety

Part I. Special Feature

Overview

Research Reports

  • 2. Angular Spread Estimation of Reflected Signal for Automotive RadarPDF(786kB)

    pages 1-6
    Masaru Ogawa


    A derivative constrained Capon estimator using an integrated mode vector (DECCIM) suitable for automotive radar is proposed. The algorithm estimates the angular spread and direction-of-arrival of a reflected signal composed of several element waves reflected simultaneously from an object. The estimation performance is demonstrated via some numerical examples and its potential for practical application is discussed.

  • 3. Development of Next Generation LIDARPDF(1,605kB)

    pages 7-12
    Hiroyuki Matsubara, Mineki Soga, Cristiano Niclass, Kota Ito, Isao Aoyagi and Manabu Kagami


    We are currently developing automotive light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensing technologies for detecting obstacles around cars. By combining CMOS single-photon avalanche diodes with an optical scanning system, we realized a compact, long-range, high-resolution LIDAR system, which was capable of detecting pedestrians at a range of up to 50 m.

  • 4. Development of the "PRECISE" Automotive Integrated Positioning System and High-accuracy Digital Map GenerationPDF(1,478kB)

    pages 13-23
    Eiji Teramoto, Yoshiko Kojima, Jun-ichi Meguro and Noriyoshi Suzuki



    We have developed “PRECISE”, an accurate in-vehicle positioning system for automotive applications. The system realized accurate positioning by integration of precise trajectory from GPS Doppler data and GPS raw data. In addition, a low-cost method for generating accurate maps for an ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) application using PRECISE and in-vehicle camera images has been proposed.

  • 5. Road Environment Recognition for Advanced Driver Assistance SystemsPDF(1,192kB)

    pages 25-32
    Takashi Naito, Kunihiro Goto and Kiyosumi Kidono



    In order to reduce traffic accidents, various ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) have been becoming popular in recent years. In this paper, we introduce our current research achievements for recognizing the road environment that will, for example, be able to predict pedestrian behaviors, which is useful in estimating the probability of a collision precisely.

  • 6. A Computational Framework for Estimating Collision Risk against PedestriansPDF(1,785kB)

    pages 33-42
    Tsukasa Shimizu, Yoshihiro Ohama, Shin-ichi Nagata and Jun Sakugawa



    A new framework for calculating subjective risk estimation (SRE) of a human driver is proposed. A psychological interview of the driver provides insight into SRE, in which SRE can be expressed as a collision probability obtained on the basis of subjective behavior prediction (SBP). Numerical simulations demonstrate the validity of our framework.

Part II. Highlighted Papers

Research Reports

  • 8. Effect of Defects on the Electrical Properties of 4H-SiC Schottky Barrier DiodesPDF(2,280kB)

    pages 53-59
    Takashi Katsuno, Yukihiko Watanabe and Tsuyoshi Ishikawa



    The effect of defects on the electrical properties of 4H-SiC Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) was investigated. Nanoscaled circular cone-shaped pits (nanopits) were observed at the leakage current sources of 4H-SiC SBD using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The leakage currents were generated due to the concentration of electric fields at the nanopits during measurements of the reverse bias characteristics.

  • 9. Impact of Carbon Impurities in Silicon PIN Diodes on Electrical Dynamic CharacteristicsPDF(770kB)

    pages 61-68
    Takahide Sugiyama, Masahiro Yamazaki, Fumikazu Niwa, Satoru Kameyama, Tadashi Misumi, Tetsuya Kanata, Katsuhiko Nishiwaki and Masayasu Ishiko


    The impact of carbon impurities in helium-irradiated silicon on the electrical dynamic characteristics of PIN diodes was investigated. It has been revealed that interstitial carbon (Ci) and oxygen (Oi) form complexes which play a significant role in hole-trap mechanisms and a high carbon concentration leads to dynamic avalanche phenomenon, which has an undesirable effect on the electrical characteristics.

  • 10. Organic-bridged Allylsilane Precursors for Synthesis of Functional Organosilica Hybrids PDF(1,702kB)

    pages 69-75
    Yoshifumi Maegawa, Norihiro Mizoshita, Minoru Waki, Takao Tani, Toyoshi Shimada and Shinji Inagaki


    Organosilica hybrids have received considerable attention in various research areas and are typically synthesized by hydrolysis and polycondensation of organoalkoxysilanes. This review describes recent advances in the development of alternative precursors, organoallylsilanes, with specific attention given to the novel synthetic methodology for obtaining functional organic-bridged allylsilanes, their conversion to organosilicas and improvement of their reactivity.