Abstract: A method is disclosed for the operation of a data processing system for motor vehicles including at least two computers and a line connecting the computers for the transmission of messages. This line permits a fast and reliable data transmission between the computers installed in the motor vehicle, taking into account the specific requirements of a controller-coupling in the motor vehicle. An embodiment is provided which describes in detail the interface between the individual computers and the line linking the computers, and with the aid of which a controller-coupling is realized in the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of handling erroneous messages in a data processing arrangement. The data processing arrangement can be applied to a motor vehicle and includes at least two stations such as a motor control computer, a transmission control computer, and/or a brake control computer. A data line connects the two stations for transmitting messages. The method is performed by causing the station which detected the erroneous message to transmit an error report in response to the erroneous message; and, causing the error report to include a sequence of states or bits which cannot be confused with any sequence of dominant states or bits during error-free data transmission.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the operation of a data processing system for motor vehicles including at least two computers and a line connecting the computers for the transmission of messages. This line permits a fast and reliable data transmission between the computers installed in the motor vehicle, taking into account the specific requirements of a controller-coupling in the motor vehicle. An embodiment is provided which describes in detail the interface between the individual computers and the line linking the computers, and with the aid of which a controller-coupling is realized in the vehicle.

Abstract: A frictional value between a motor vehicle tire and a road surface is determined for use in an ABS system or a traction control system. Various sensors at the automobile ascertain the vehicle speed and the brake pressure at individual wheels. The angular acceleration of the wheel is calculated from the angular velocity thereof. A wheel slip is calculated from the vehicle speed and from the angular acceleration. The dependency of the coefficient of friction is approximated from the wheel slip with a non-linear approximation equation. The current estimation value for the coefficient of friction is estimated with a recursive estimation algorithm from measurement values previously ascertained during a preceding measuring instant.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the operation of a data processing system for motor vehicles including at least two computers and a line connecting the computers for the transmission of messages. This line permits a fast and reliable data transmission between the computers installed in the motor vehicle, taking into account the specific requirements of a controller-coupling in the motor vehicle. An embodiment is provided which describes in detail the interface between the individual computers and the line linking the computers, and with the aid of which a controller-coupling is realized in the vehicle.

Abstract: A process for the localization of defective stations in local networks which consist of several locally distributedly operating stations is proposed, particularly for use in automobiles. The process is characterized by station-internal, statistical evaluation of external and/or internal error signals. The redundancy necessary for a self-monitoring of the stations interconnected by a serial bus need not be available locally in the respective station, rather only the redundancy existing in any case in a network due to the presence of protocol-compatible stations is utilized.

Abstract: A device for potential-free transmission of dominant and recessive data bits in a bus system operating with bit-by-bit arbitration includes a series connection of a modulator, a galvanic separation circuit, and a demodulator. Data bits to be transmitted are scanned in the modulator at equidistant time intervals and are divided into two intermediate trains of data bits wherein the dominant bits alternate with the recessive bits. The two intermediate trains are applied to two input terminals of a galvanic separating device, and a demodulation is effected on the output side of the separating device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the operation of a data processing system for motor vehicles including at least two computers and a line connecting the computers for the transmission of messages. This line permits a fast and reliable data transmission between the computers installed in the motor vehicle, taking into account the specific requirements of a controller-coupling in the motor vehicle. An embodiment is provided which describes in detail the interface between the individual computers and the line linking the computers, and with the aid of which a controller-coupling is realized in the vehicle.

Abstract: Control signals for triggering the events to be controlled, via at least one output stage (13, 14), are generated in a vehicular computer (11) as a dependent function of the output signals of a sensor (10) coupled to a rotating shaft of the engine, and of further sensors dependent on other operating parameters. At least one sensor-controlled auxiliary control device (17, 18) is provided. The output signals of the auxiliary control devices (17, 18) are transmitted via a switching device (12) to the terminal control stages (13, 14) as an alternative to the output signals of the computer (11). The switching device (12) is preferably embodied as a multiplexer and is controllable by an error decoding stage (19) for decoding and monitoring serial, or parallel, signals of the computer (11) to determine proper function of the computer (11); in case of malfunction of the computer (11), decoding stage (19) causes control of the output stage, or stages (13, 14) from the respective auxiliary control device.

Abstract: A lambda regulating device is proposed for a fuel metering system in an internal combustion engine with externally supplied ignition. In addition to the regulation means which is already present, multiplicative and additive corrective variables are formed and are stored in non-transient memories. The regulating device enables an additive regulated shutoff of the additive lambda shift during idling and in the lower partial-load range, and it also enables regulation to a symmetrical distance on the part of the regulating manipulation from the limitation. The additive correction may be selected to be in accordance with rpm. Finally, the reference variables for the corrective value may be selected depending upon the air throughput in the intake tube of the engine. With a view to realization of the invention by means of a computer, individual flow diagrams relating to the mode of operation are given in the drawings.

Abstract: The knock sensing equipment has a control circuit which generates gating signals for dividing the operation into a measuring phase and a test phase. In the latter, the possible malfunction of the sensor is determined. During the test phase, the sensor responds either to background noise or to a test voltage and the sensing output signals are compared to a predetermined minimum and/or maximum level. Malfunction is indicated if the signals furnished by the sensor are outside of the indicated range.

Abstract: Control signals for triggering the events to be controlled, via at least one output stage (13, 14), are generated in a vehicular computer (11) as a dependent function of the output signals of a sensor (10) coupled to a rotating shaft of the engine, and of further sensors dependent on other operating parameters. At least one sensor-controlled auxiliary control device (17, 18) is provided. The output signals of the auxiliary control devices (17, 18) are transmitted via a switching device (12) to the terminal control stages (13, 14) as an alternative to the output signals of the computer (11). The switching device (12) is preferably embodied as a multiplexer and is controllable by an error decoding stage (19) for decoding and monitoring serial, or parallel, signals of the computer (11) to determine proper function of the computer (11); in case of malfunction of the computer (11), decoding stage (19) causes control of the output stage, or stages (13, 14) from the respective auxiliary control device.

Abstract: A dwell angle control has three counting devices for detecting acceleration. In a first UP/DOWN counter (17), the count in one direction takes place throughout the time the current in the primary circuit of an ignition coil (25) exceeds a current threshold value (I1). The count in the other direction is constant with respect to time. The counts on the first counter are taken over into a second UP/DOWN counter (11) in response to the input signal, the counting direction also being determined by the input signals. When the count in the second counter (11) reaches an adjustable trigger threshold value, the closure time is initiated, the actual ignition time being fixed by an edge of a sensed signal, or the edge of the signal from an ignition computer. The adjustable trigger threshold value is advantageously determined by a third UP/DOWN counter (12) which is set to a fixed value (X) by an edge of the sensed signal and whose counting direction is also determined by the sensed signals.

Abstract: To positively allocate output signals from a transducer scanning marker elements arranged at a uniform distance from the center of a rotating disk, the markers are located around the circumference of the disk in accordance with a predetermined pattern, for example, uniformly distributed 30.degree. apart, or distributed with uniformly increasing relative distances, and an additional market element (33) and forming a reference marker is located in the zones between adjacent markers spaced from a neighboring marker element (21) of the plurality of marker elements by a distance which is substantially larger than the angular distance with respect to the marker element at the other side of the reference marker. The outputs from a pick-up sensor are evaluated by applying the outputs to two counters, counting a different clock rate, the count output of one of the counters being stored and compared with a subsequent count state of the other counter operating at a higher clock rate.

Abstract: Clock pulses are counted to provide a count indicative of speed in a counter that is reset with every revolution of a reference mark. The difference between successive counts is multiplied by a fractional factor, which is not necessarily the same for acceleration and deceleration, then added algebraically to the current count value. The acceleration-corrected speed value is then multiplied by a parameter-dependent digital value obtained from a summing circuit to which various engine condition parameters are supplied and the output of the last-mentioned multiplier is supplied to a comparator to which the current count of clock pulses beginning with the reference mark passage is compared. When the comparator finds the match, spark ignition takes place. Another counter counts the clock pulses following each reference mark for sequencing multiplexers that enable some components to serve in more than one operation, in effect controlling the flow of digital values around various loops in the circuit.

Abstract: To supervise a program controlled device which is subject to stray noise or disturbance pulses, particularly microprocessor controlled automotive vehicle electronic systems, a timing circuit is provided responsive to check pulses added to the program and defining a timing interval, the monitoring system distinguishing between disturbance pulses and static defects by supervising the control pulses and, upon failure of the control pulses, generating a program restart or interrupt signal, respectively, which both initiate a new start of the program cycle or, respectively, define a timing interval which, upon failure to sense further control pulses, initiates energization of an emergency switching system. Continuous failure to receive control pulses also can initiate the emergency switching system.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine in which the fuel supply is interrupted during no-load operation to save gas the ignition timing is retarded following resumption of the fuel supply to cause the resumed torque to be applied slowly. A sequence of ignition timing signals following the activation of the gas pedal is delayed by sequentially smaller and smaller amounts until the normal ignition timing is resumed.

Abstract: The main pressure in the gearing which under normal operating conditions is 150% of the amount required to transmit the then-present torque is reduced to 100% when an upshift takes place under load or a downshift takes place under no load. For a downshift under load and an upshift under no load the pressure is reduced to about 30%. The position of the control rod of an injection pump at the beginning of a shift operation is stored until the shift is completed. This allows the present system to cooperate with a system wherein the control of the injection pump is shifted from the gas pedal to a regulator during gear shifts.

Abstract: In order to suppress the train of detector oscillations after the disappearance of the engine knock phenomenon, the invention provides a piezoelectric oscillator which is set into vibration by engine knock and includes circuitry for applying signals of opposite polarity to the oscillator at times when no engine knock is expected. Accordingly, the output of the piezoelectric engine knock detector is used only in a relatively narrow time interval during the combustion cycle. In the remaining interval, the circuit switches over to a configuration where the oscillations of the piezoelectric oscillator are damped. The construction of the invention makes it possible to discriminate between different cylinders of a multi-cylinder engine and to assign the knock phenomenon to particular engine cylinders. A number of embodiments is presented.

Abstract: A first and second valve respectively associated with the then-present and the newly selected gear during a gear shift operation are operated with positive overlap at the beginning of the shift process if the engine is upshifting under load or downshifting under no and at the end of the shift process if the engine is upshifting under no load or downshifting under load. During the shift process the engine speed is lowered during upshift operations and increased during downshifts. The shifting process is terminated when the engine is operating synchronously with the transmission output. It is also terminated if the engine speed decreases excessive during upshifts or increases excessively during downshift or if a predetermined maximum allowable time has elapsed from the start of the shift operation. The main pressure in the gearing is decreased during the shift operation by a factor selected in accordance with the then-present operating condition.