Abstract: A system comprises a computer including a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions such that the processor is programmed to: determine an occurrence of intentional drift event, and in response to determining the occurrence of the intentional drift event, determine a front torque target and a rear torque target.

Abstract: An aerodynamic deflector on the vehicle is repositionable. An actuator is coupled with the aerodynamic deflector. A controller configured to: detect a performance mode of operation of the vehicle; determine a requested lateral acceleration; calculate a control adjustment of the aerodynamic deflector to generate a downforce to achieve the requested lateral acceleration and maximize lateral grip of the vehicle; and operate the actuator to effect the control adjustment of the aerodynamic deflector to generate the downforce on the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for managing chassis and driveline actuators of a motor vehicle includes a control module executing program code portions that: cause sensors to obtain vehicle state information, receive a driver input and generate a desired dynamic output based on the driver input and the vehicle state information, and then estimate actuator actions based on the vehicle state information, generate one or more control action constraints based on the vehicle state information and estimated actuator actions, generate a reference control action based on the vehicle state information, the estimated actions of the one or more actuators and the control action constraints, and integrate the vehicle state information, the estimated actuator actions, desired dynamic output, reference control action and the control action constraints to generate an optimal control action that falls within a range of predefined actuator capacities and ensures driver control of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining whether a vehicle is in an understeer or oversteer situation. The system includes a controller circuit coupled to an IMU and an EPS, and programmed to: calculate, for a steered first axle, an axle-based pneumatic trail for using IMU measurements and EPS signals and estimate a saturation level as a function of a distance between the axle-based pneumatic trail and zero. The system estimates, for an unsteered second axle, an axle lateral force curve with respect to a slip angle of the second axle, and a saturation level as a function of when the axle lateral force curve with respect to the slip angle transitions from positive values to negative values. The saturation level of the first axle and the second axle are integrated. The system determines that the vehicle is in an understeer or oversteer situation as a function of the integrated saturation levels.

Abstract: A vehicle, and a method and system for operating the vehicle. The system includes a processor. The processor receives a driver input at the vehicle, determines a current lateral force on a tire of the vehicle for the driver input, determines a desired yaw rate and lateral velocity for the vehicle based on the current lateral force on the tire that operates the vehicle at a maximum yaw moment, and operates the vehicle at the desired yaw rate and lateral velocity.

Abstract: A method of controlling stability of a vehicle and a stability control system for the vehicle. A driver command is determined based on driver input data. At least one output command is sent to one or more vehicle systems to control stability of the vehicle based on the driver command. A controller sends the output command based on a control hierarchy that provides an order in which the controller controls body motion of the vehicle, wheel slip of the vehicle, and standard stability of the vehicle to control stability of the vehicle. The order dictates that the controller controls the body motion of the vehicle and the wheel slip of the vehicle before the controller controls the standard stability of the vehicle. A state of one or more of the vehicle systems is controlled based on the sent output command as dictated via the control hierarchy.

Abstract: A vehicle, system and method of operating the vehicle. A sensor measures a dynamic parameter of the vehicle. A processor determines a lateral force on a first tire based on the dynamic parameter of the vehicle, determines a longitudinal force on the first tire that achieves a maximal grip of the first tire for the lateral force, and adjusts a first torque on the first tire in order to achieve the determined longitudinal force at the first tire.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a downforce on a vehicle. An aerodynamic deflector on the vehicle is repositionable. An actuator is coupled with the aerodynamic deflector. A controller configured to: detect a performance mode of operation of the vehicle; determine a requested lateral acceleration; calculate a control adjustment of the aerodynamic deflector to generate a downforce to achieve the requested lateral acceleration and maximize lateral grip of the vehicle; and operate the actuator to effect the control adjustment of the aerodynamic deflector to generate the downforce on the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle including a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor, an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) is described. Operating the vehicle includes determining, via the GPS sensor, first parameters associated with a velocity, a position, and a course, and determining, via the IMU, second parameters associated with acceleration and angular velocity. Roll and pitch parameters are determined based upon the first and second parameters. A first vehicle velocity vector is determined based upon the roll and pitch parameters, the first parameters, and the second parameters; and a second vehicle velocity vector is determined based upon the roll and pitch parameters, road surface friction coefficient, angular velocity, road wheel angles and the first vehicle velocity vector. A final vehicle velocity vector is determined based upon fusion of the first and second vehicle velocity vectors. The vehicle is controlled based upon the final vehicle velocity vector.

Abstract: An axle torque distribution system includes a memory and a control module. The memory stores a steering angle and a toque distribution algorithm. The control module executes the torque distribution algorithm to: obtain the steering angle; based on the steering angle, determine total lateral force requested for axles of a vehicle; based on the total lateral force requested, determine lateral forces requested for the axles while constraining lateral force distribution between the axles, where the constraining of the lateral force distribution includes, based on maximum lateral force capacities of tires of the vehicle, limiting the lateral forces requested for the axles; determine available longitudinal capacities for the axles based on the lateral forces requested respectively for the axles; determine torque capacities of the axles based on the lateral forces requested respectively for the axles; and control distribution of torque to the axles based on the torque capacities of the axles.

Abstract: A vehicle including a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor, an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) is described. Operating the vehicle includes determining, via the GPS sensor, first parameters associated with a velocity, a position, and a course, and determining, via the IMU, second parameters associated with acceleration and angular velocity. Roll and pitch parameters are determined based upon the first and second parameters. A first vehicle velocity vector is determined based upon the roll and pitch parameters, the first parameters, and the second parameters; and a second vehicle velocity vector is determined based upon the roll and pitch parameters, road surface friction coefficient, angular velocity, road wheel angles and the first vehicle velocity vector. A final vehicle velocity vector is determined based upon fusion of the first and second vehicle velocity vectors. The vehicle is controlled based upon the final vehicle velocity vector.

Abstract: A vehicle, system and method of operating a vehicle. A sensor for measures a dynamic variable of the vehicle. A processor determines a location of a perceived yaw center (PYC) of the vehicle from the dynamic variable, tracks a desired location of the PYC, and adjusts a control parameter of the vehicle to reduce a difference between the location of the PYC and the desired location of the PYC.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling a vehicle includes providing a plurality of dynamic state inputs to a controller in the vehicle that is adapted to execute a plurality of control loops and further includes determining an operating mode of the vehicle. Based on the operating mode of the vehicle, a location of an optimum perceived yaw center of the vehicle is determined corresponding to a selected estimation technique using the dynamic state inputs and wherein the estimation technique is selected based upon the determined operating mode of the vehicle. The information related to the location of the optimum perceived yaw center may be used as input for controlling the vehicle in a dynamic state.

Abstract: A vehicle, system and method of operating the vehicle. A sensor measures a dynamic parameter of the vehicle. A processor determines a lateral force on a first tire based on the dynamic parameter of the vehicle, determines a longitudinal force on the first tire that achieves a maximal grip of the first tire for the lateral force, and adjusts a first torque on the first tire in order to achieve the determined longitudinal force at the first tire.

Abstract: A vehicle, system and method of operating a vehicle. A sensor for measures a dynamic variable of the vehicle. A processor determines a location of a perceived yaw center (PYC) of the vehicle from the dynamic variable, tracks a desired location of the PYC, and adjusts a control parameter of the vehicle to reduce a difference between the location of the PYC and the desired location of the PYC.

Abstract: A method of controlling stability of a vehicle and a stability control system for the vehicle. A driver command is determined based on driver input data. At least one output command is sent to one or more vehicle systems to control stability of the vehicle based on the driver command. A controller sends the output command based on a control hierarchy that provides an order in which the controller controls body motion of the vehicle, wheel slip of the vehicle, and standard stability of the vehicle to control stability of the vehicle. The order dictates that the controller controls the body motion of the vehicle and the wheel slip of the vehicle before the controller controls the standard stability of the vehicle. A state of one or more of the vehicle systems is controlled based on the sent output command as dictated via the control hierarchy.

Abstract: Methods of controlling axle torque distribution of a vehicle during steering through a curve include collecting, via a controller: input data which is representative of a plurality of vehicle inputs; vehicle data which is representative of axle torque of the front axle and axle torque of the rear axle; and constraint data which is representative of real-time constraints of the vehicle. The collected input data, vehicle data and constraint data are communicated to a predictive model. Determining, using the predictive model, whether torque adjustments are necessary. The distribution of the axle torque of the front axle and the axle torque of the rear axle is controlled, via the controller, when the torque adjustments are necessary as determined via the predictive model.

Abstract: A method for estimation of a vehicle tire force includes: receiving, by a controller of a vehicle, a measured vehicle acceleration of the vehicle; receiving, by the controller, a measured wheel speed and a measured yaw rate of the vehicle; forming, by the controller, inertia matrices based on an inertia of rotating components of the vehicle; calculating torques at corners of the vehicle using the inertia matrices; estimating tire forces of the vehicle based on the measured vehicle acceleration, the measured wheel speed, and the inertia matrices; and controlling, by the controller, the vehicle, based on the plurality of estimated longitudinal and lateral tire forces.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling a vehicle includes providing a plurality of dynamic state inputs to a controller in the vehicle that is adapted to execute a plurality of control loops and further includes determining an operating mode of the vehicle. Based on the operating mode of the vehicle, a location of an optimum perceived yaw center of the vehicle is determined corresponding to a selected estimation technique using the dynamic state inputs and wherein the estimation technique is selected based upon the determined operating mode of the vehicle. The information related to the location of the optimum perceived yaw center may be used as input for controlling the vehicle in a dynamic state.

Abstract: A vehicle, and a method and system for operating the vehicle. The system includes a processor. The processor receives a driver input at the vehicle, determines a current lateral force on a tire of the vehicle for the driver input, determines a desired yaw rate and lateral velocity for the vehicle based on the current lateral force on the tire that operates the vehicle at a maximum yaw moment, and operates the vehicle at the desired yaw rate and lateral velocity.