Adoptive cruise control system

1. Introduction

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) technology improves the function of standard

cruise control by automatically adjusting the vehicle speed and distance to the
vehicle ahead. This is achieved using a long range radar sensor, a signal
processor and longitudinal control of the vehicle. If the vehicle ahead slows
down, or if another object is detected, the ACC adjusts vehicle speed and
headway accordingly without any action on the part of the driver. Once the road
is clear, the system will re-accelerate the vehicle back to the set speed. As with
standard cruise control, the driver can override the system at any time. The
current ACC systems are mainly comfort functions with a limited speed range.

ACC with full speed range function will make the systems safer and even more
convenient to use. If needed, the system will slow the vehicle down to a
standstill, using its full braking power, instead of turning off at a certain speed
as is presently the case. This system will also recognise when the car in front
starts to move again and will announce this to the driver, usually by acoustic
signal. Then the vehicle will accelerate automatically to the pre-selected speed
while maintaining the correct distance to the vehicle ahead and adjust to the
tempo of the traffic.

The system detects sudden decelerations in the spinning of each wheel, and
reduces the pressure on that brake until it again detects acceleration. It can do
this very quickly, before the tyre can actually significantly change speed. The
result is that the tyre slows down at the same rate as the vehicle, with the
brakes keeping the tyres very near the point at which they will start to lock up.
This gives the system maximum braking power.

2. Types:

2.1 Laser Based systems: They are significantly lower in costs than the
RADAR based systems. However, laser based systems do not detect and track
vehicles well in adverse weather conditions and the heavy dirty vehicles. Laser-
based sensors must be exposed, the sensor (a fairly-large black box) is typically
found in the lower grille offset to one side of the vehicle. Lasers would be
considerably cheaper than radar, the basic technology is that of
10$ laser pointer. Laser frequencies are also unregulated by
governments and the ranges involved are just about right for the stated
purpose.

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2.2 RADAR Based systems: They are higher cost than the laser Based system.
Radar based systems can work comparably well under the sun/dirt interference
and reflector height requirements. Radar is RF, so the FCC and other
government agencies get involved. It also
has greater range and you might get unexpected effects from refraction and
reflection of multiple sources.

3. ACC vehicle relationship.

Fig. ACC Vehicle relationship

ACC vehicle – the subject vehicle equipped with the ACC system.

Clearance – distance from the forward vehicle's trailing surface to the ACC
vehicle's leading surface.

Forward vehicle – any one of the vehicles in front of and moving in the same
direction and travelling on the same roadway as the ACC vehicle.

Target vehicle – one of the forward vehicles in the path of the ACC vehicle that
is closest to the ACC vehicle.

Time gap – the time interval between the ACC vehicle and the target vehicle.
The 'time gap' is related to the 'clearance' and vehicle speed by:
Time gap = clearance / ACC vehicle speed.

4. ACC system states:

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ACC off state – direct access to the 'ACC active' state is disabled.

ACC standby state – system is ready for activation by the driver.

ACC active state – the ACC system is in active control of the vehicle's speed.

ACC speed control state – a sub state of 'ACC active' state in which no
forward Vehicles are present such that the ACC system is controlling vehicle
speed to the 'set speed' as is typical with conventional cruise control systems.

ACC time gap control state – a sub state of 'ACC active' state in which time
Gap, or headway, between the ACC vehicle and the target vehicle is being
Controlled.

Fig. ACC states

Before the cruise control can be engaged the driver must enter the ‘ACC
standby’. This can be done by the driver by pressing the ACC ‘on’ Button. The
driver can enter the ‘ACC active’ state by pressing the ‘set’ or ‘resume’ button
provided on the steering. The following conditions must satisfied before the
vehicle enter into a ‘ACC active state’:

 Brakes should not be applied.

 Vehicle speed>=25mph.

5. Operating Modes:

There are two modes in which the ACC can be operated.

 Speed control mode.

 Follow control mode.

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5.1 Speed control mode.

Operation during this mode is equivalent to that of conventional speed control. If

no forward vehicle is present within the Time Gap or clearance of the system,
the vehicle's speed is maintained at the target speed. The engine control system
controls the engine output via throttle control to maintain the vehicle speed at
the target speed.

5.2 Follow control mode.

The ACC system enters follow mode or 'ACC time gap control' if the radar
detects a forward vehicle at or within the clearance distance. During this mode
of operation, the ACC system sends a target speed to the Engine Control Module
and deceleration commands to the Brake Control module to maintain the set
time gap between the vehicles.

5.2.1 Acceleration control: ACC system accelerates the vehicle by increasing

the target speed sent to the engine control module.

5.2.2 Deceleration control: The ACC system decelerates the vehicle by

lowering the target speed sent to the Engine Control Module and sending a brake
deceleration command to the Brake Control Module.

5.2.3 Slowing moving or stopped vehicle: The clearance between the ACC
vehicle and the forward vehicle may be rapidly decreasing or the minimum
vehicle speed of 25 [mph] may be reached Under these situations the ACC
System enters into 'ACC standby' and alerts the driver by displaying a "Driver
Intervention Required" text message on the display and by turning on an audible
chime.

6. Cancelling Cruise Operation: Cruise Control operation may be cancelled

by the operator or automatically via the ACC system.

Either of the following conditions will deactivate ACC:

 Brake pedal is pressed
 'Off' button is pressed
 Vehicle Speed < 25 mph
 An ACC system fault is detected.

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7. Conclusion:

Adoptive cruise control can provide the enhanced security using the RADAR
based collision avoidance systems. Due, to these highway accidents can be
minimized. It can provide the better fuel efficiency. So this technology needs to
implement in the present generation cars, which can enhance the comfort in
drive.

8. References.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruise_control
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptive_cruise_control
 http://www.bosch-
engineering.com/en/whatweprovide/serviceareas/safetyandcomfort/driver
assistancesystems/acc-adaptive-cruise-control.aspx.
 http://delphi.com/manufacturers/auto/safety/active/adaptive-cruise-
control/
 http://media.ford.com/images/10031/Adaptive_Cruise.pdf

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