Abstract: A method for determining road bank angle in a vehicle includes a lateral acceleration sensor (22) that generates a lateral acceleration signal. A yaw rate sensor (18) generates a yaw rate signal. A roll rate sensor (23) generates a yaw rate signal. A controller (14) coupled to the sensors calculates a first roll angle signal in response to the roll rate signal and calculates a second roll angle signal corresponding to a suspension reference roll angle in response to the lateral acceleration signal. The controller calculates a bank angle signal in response to the lateral acceleration signal, the yaw rate signal, the steering wheel signal and the speed signal. The controller sums the first roll angle signal, the second roll angle signal and the bank angle signal to obtain a final roll angle estimate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring dynamic movement of a vehicle (10) by employing multiple GPS satellites and determining velocity based change in the carrier frequency of multiple satellite signals. The apparatus includes at least two GPS receiving antennas (12a and 12b) installed on a vehicle (10) at known locations and a controller (20) for processing received GPS signals (16a-16c) and monitoring a carrier frequency associated with the GPS signals. The controller (20) determines a change in the carrier frequency of the GPS signals due to Doppler effect. The controller (20) further determines a first inertial velocity vector of each of the receiving antennas (12a and 12b) based on the change in carrier frequency, and determines angular rate of the vehicle based on the inertial velocity vectors. The controller (20) further determines vehicle longitudinal and lateral velocity and acceleration as a function of the inertial velocity vectors.

Abstract: A control system (13) for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a longitudinal accelerometer (24) that generates a longitudinal acceleration signal corresponding to a longitudinal acceleration of a center of gravity (COG) of the vehicle body. A lateral velocity sensor (22) generates a lateral velocity signal corresponding to the lateral velocity of the vehicle body. A controller (14) is coupled to the yaw rate sensor (18), the longitudinal accelerometer (24) and the lateral velocity sensor (22). The controller (14) determines a longitudinal speed from the longitudinal acceleration signal. The controller determines a vehicle pitch angle in response to the longitudinal speed, the yaw rate signal and the lateral velocity signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining lateral velocity of a vehicle (10) uses a controller (16) having a lateral velocity estimator (18) therein. A vehicle speed determination circuit (20) is used to determine the vehicle speed which is coupled to the controller (16). A yaw rate sensor (26) is used to generate a yaw rate signal, a lateral acceleration signal (28) is used to generate a lateral acceleration signal, and a roll angle sensor (30) is used to generate a roll angle signal that are each coupled to controller (16). The controller (16) measures an unbiased lateral velocity derivative and determines a fictitious lateral velocity estimation using the unbiased lateral velocity derivative. Using the fictitious error to drive a model based adaptive observer, an accurate lateral velocity determination may he made in spite of model uncertainties and measurement noise.

Abstract: A method for determining road bank angle in vehicle includes a lateral acceleration sensor (22) that generates a first signal corresponding to lateral acceleration. A yaw rate sensor (18) generates a second signal corresponding to a yaw rate signal.

Abstract: A method for detecting fault in vehicle motion sensors for a motor vehicle includes providing a measured lateral acceleration signal and yaw rate signal. The method further includes calculating, respectively, a first and second road bank angle estimate based on these signals. Also included is determining a first and second maximum road bank angle based on the first and second road bank angle, respectively, and calculating a first and second threshold based on these values. The method further includes comparing whether the first and second road bank angles exceeds the second and first thresholds, respectively, and if so, indicating either one or both a lateral acceleration signal fault or yaw rate signal fault.

Abstract: A method for detecting an erroneous travel direction or a defective yaw rate sensor 12 is disclosed. Two estimates of the vehicle yaw rate are gathered from separate criteria and are compared with one another as well as the measured vehicle yaw rate. Using these comparisons along with other information regarding vehicle travel, a conclusion of whether a travel direction signal is erroneous is made. This determination can then be used to modify the vehicle's brake control strategy.

Abstract: A system and method for vehicle dynamic control processes a compensated yaw rate signal measurement and a compensated lateral acceleration signal measurement (30, 32) to derive a signal measurement of road bank angle disturbance not compensated for in a compensated steering angle signal measurement and provides the derived signal to a controller (12). The compensated steering angle signal measurement is an input to the controller. Because a disturbance already compensated in the compensated steering angle signal measurement is transparent to the controller, the controller is able to adjust the control action of the vehicle dynamic control system based on the derived signal measurement of road bank angle disturbance not compensated for in a compensated steering angle signal measurement, thereby providing enhanced robustness of control.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling an abrupt bias fault in a vehicle motion sensor (24), such as a yaw rate sensor or a lateral acceleration sensor to be both quickly and accurately diagnosed. When a potential fault is first indicated, it is signaled as true only if the vehicle is in a stable state and vehicle vibration is ruled out as a cause of abrupt signal change. Processing of signals is conducted by microprocessor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the stability of an automotive vehicle includes a steering wheel sensor generating a steering wheel signal, a yaw rate sensor generating a yaw rate signal and a lateral acceleration sensor for generating a lateral acceleration signal. A controller is coupled to the steering wheel sensor, the yaw rate sensor, and the accelerometer. The controller determines a first steering wheel angle from the yaw rate signal, a second steering wheel angle from the lateral acceleration signal, and a third steering angle from a steering wheel signal. The controller generates a vehicle stability indicator in response to the first steering wheel angle, the second steering wheel angle and the third steering wheel angle.

Abstract: A method for detecting a bank angle experienced by a motor vehicle (10) is disclosed. Three estimates of the vehicle bank angle, .gamma..sub.a, .gamma..omega. and .gamma..sub..nu. are determined from separate data and are then used to determine an estimate of the bank angle BIAS. The bank angle BIAS is then combined with one of the three bank angle estimates to determine a final bank angle estimate, .gamma..sub.final, to be used to modify the vehicle's yaw control calculations in accordance therewith.