Driver and occupant monitoring systems (DMS and OMS), also referred to as cabin monitoring systems, are vehicle safety systems that combat the increasing number of distractions within the vehicle. DMS uses sensors to analyze the driver’s alertness, warn the driver if needed, and in some cases, subsequently apply the brakes or provide alternative autonomous vehicle steering. As traditional solutions for driver and occupant safety reach a point of diminishing returns, these advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) technologies aid in further reducing fatal accidents.

Cabin monitoring hardware design can be categorized into three key subsystems: processing, camera/sensor, and emitter. The system pairs an infrared 2D global shutter sensor with infrared LEDs/VCSELs to capture high quality images outside the visible light spectrum. A software algorithm layer ties all hardware inputs together to determine various driver and occupant states, such as drowsiness and distraction.

ADI’s automotive Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link™ (GMSL) and power management solutions for driver and occupant (cabin) monitoring systems offer high efficiency and low noise while minimizing external components. Feature-rich products reduce design complexity and size along with offering automotive safety integrity level (ASIL)-compliant total solutions to help engineers resolve the design challenges of automotive DMS.

Robust DMS and OMS designs must be optimized for space, power, and data transfer to withstand a rugged automotive environment and to ensure a smooth human-machine interface (HMI). ADI enables world-class in-cabin monitoring system designs with highly integrated solutions that dramatically reduce PCB area, drive high peak power, deliver reliable data, and ensure functional safety.