Abstract: An engine control system includes a torque request control module to determine a first engine torque request. An artificial neural network (ANN) torque request module determines a second engine torque request using an ANN model. A torque security check module that selectively generates a malfunction signal based on the difference between the first engine torque request and the second engine torque request.

Abstract: A vehicle having a system for validating a variable signal for input to a processor-performed function. An input module receives the signal. A processor tests first and second storage locations of a memory. After testing, the processor stores the signal in the first and second storage locations to obtain first and second stored values. The processor compares the first and second stored values and tests the first stored value for any corruption associated with receipt of the signal by said input module. The processor inputs the first and second stored values to first and second paths for performing the function to obtain two function results, and compares the results.

Abstract: A transmission control system for a vehicle includes a first module that generates a first modified signal based on a first position of a driver input device and a second module that receives the first modified signal from the first module. The second module generates a second modified signal based on a second position of the driver input device and regulates operation of a transmission of the vehicle based on the first and second modified signals.

Abstract: A method of preventing undesirable vehicle behavior in a vehicle torque control system that includes determining an expected axle torque based on a vehicle speed, a powerplant profile, an accelerator pedal position and/or a cruise control signal. The method also includes estimating an actual axle torque of a powerplant based on a powerplant maximum torque, a throttle position and powertrain inefficiencies and converting the expected axle torque to an expected acceleration and the actual axle torque to an actual acceleration based on a wheel radius and a road load. The method further includes regulating a torque output of a powerplant when a rate-of-change in a difference between the expected acceleration and the estimated actual acceleration is greater than a first threshold.

Abstract: A method of verifying the integrity of an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) of a control module includes inputting a first test value into one of a plurality of registers of the ALU and inputting a second test value into remaining registers of the plurality of registers. A first set of operations is performed between the one of the plurality of registers and each of the remaining registers to produce a first set of results. A fault is indicated when one of the first set of results varies from a first predetermined result.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for an electronic throttle control (ETC) system having a throttle body assembly. The apparatus includes a throttle actuator, an input circuit receiving sensor signals and having first, second, and third reference voltages, a first throttle position sensor (TPS) connected to the second reference voltage, a second TPS connected to the second reference voltage, a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor connected to the first reference voltage, a manifold airflow (MAF) sensor connected to the third reference voltage, and a processor connected to the input circuit and transmitting a control signal to the throttle actuator based on the sensors, reference voltages, and returns. The ETC system has improved remedial actions responsive to failures of the various sensors, reference voltages, and returns.