Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) use a variety of imaging sensors, cameras and lasers to enhance vehicle safety and create better driving conditions. Most of these optical devices, including CMOS sensors and laser diodes, are heat sensitive and rely on high-resolution images for proper operation. Image quality can quickly deteriorate as the device temperatures rise above 60°C. In ADAS applications, where temperatures can reach as high as 85°C, passive cooling of laser and CMOS sensor using thermal greases and heat sinks is inadequate and can lead to pre-mature system failure and dangerous scenarios on the road. Active cooling using thermoelectrics, on the other hand, pumps heat away from sensitive electronics while the surrounding environment remains hot. The new HiTemp ETX series of thermoelectric coolers are specifically designed to operate in high-temperature environments experienced by ADAS and other autonomous systems applications.
