Abstract: A cruise control apparatus can control a host vehicle to run with a fixed separation from a preceding vehicle when such a preceding vehicle is detected based on received radar signals and to run at a preset fixed speed when no preceding vehicle is detected. The cruise control apparatus is configured to respond to one of a set of predetermined actions by the vehicle driver, which indicate an intention to change the vehicle speed, by making it easier or more difficult for a preceding vehicle to be detected, in accordance with whether the indicated intention may signify that an actual preceding vehicle is not being detected or may signify that a non-existent preceding vehicle is being detected and that the host vehicle speed has been reduced accordingly. Improved performance is thereby achieved by utilizing the cognitive abilities of the driver to augment the detection operation of the cruise control apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted radar apparatus which periodically derives and registers successive momentary position values for a target object such as a preceding vehicle based on received reflected radio waves and derives final lateral position data by smoothing the momentary position data, judges when a degree of scattering of the registered momentary position values exceeds a first predetermined level and in that case derives corrected position data based on differences between envelope curve line values which are generated based on local extreme values of the momentary position data, and performs smoothing of the corrected position data instead of the momentary position data, to obtain the final lateral position data. If the target object is not estimated to be located directly ahead of the host vehicle along a straight route, the corrected position data are adjusted in accordance with relative positions and orientations of the target object and host vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides an object recognition apparatus that removes virtual images without detecting a roadside object. When a predetermined vehicle is currently running on a lane, a detection area, outside of the currently running lane, is designated to include a first area and an assumed ghost area therein. The first area is enclosed by a boundary of the detection area, a boundary of the assumed ghost area adjacent thereto, and a boundary on the currently running lane whose distance is traveled by the vehicle during one control cycle. The invention detects an object for the first time in the assumed ghost area, not in the first area. When the object travels with a distance and a speed of a target vehicle, it is determined to be a ghost to be deleted.

Abstract: The invention provides a signal process apparatus for an on-vehicle radar and a method thereof that can reduce operation load and obtain a sufficient detection capability.

Abstract: An inventive frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar system realizes both of a quick detection of higher relative speed provisional target and a sure detection of smaller relative speed provisional target. The number of detection cycles used for a paring validity check (a test to see if a detected target or a pair of frequencies is an actual target or a pair for an actual target) is set in response to the relative velocity.

Abstract: A radar wave reflected by a preceding automotive vehicle is received. The distance and the reception level of the received radar wave are repeatedly stored with relation therebetween. The reception levels are plotted with respect to distance. The distribution of the receptions levels is approximated with a linear equation as the characteristic of the radar apparatus. Variation in the distribution, that is, Y intercept of the linear equation represents the variation of the characteristic of the radar apparatus. A reference characteristic of the radar is measured with changing the distance to the preceding reflective object and the measured characteristic is measured with a moving preceding vehicle during actual traveling. The reference Y intercept is compared with the measured Y intercept to detect the deviation. Further, the divination amount or the measured value is classified to judge the cause of decries in the characteristic using conditional signals.

Abstract: An FM-CW radar is provided which may be employed in anti-collision systems or cruise control systems installed in moving objects such as automotive vehicles. The radar analyzes a beat signal in frequency to produce peak frequency components in a modulated frequency-rising range wherein the frequency of a frequency-modulated radar wave transmitted from the radar increases and a modulated frequency-falling range wherein the frequency of the radar wave decreases. If one of peak frequency pairs, each of which is made up of each of the peak frequency components in the modulated frequency-rising range and one of the peak frequency components in the modulated frequency-falling range, lies within a given lower frequency range, the radar identifies the one of the peak frequency pairs as radar data arising from a moving object appearing suddenly in a radar detection zone.

Abstract: An FM-CW radar is provided which may be employed in anti-collision systems or cruise control systems installed in moving objects such as automotive vehicles. The radar produces a first spectrum using a portion of a beat signal in a frequency rising range wherein the frequency of the radar wave increases and a second spectrum using a portion of the beat signal in a frequency falling range wherein the frequency of the radar wave decreases and moves the second spectrum by frequency shifts which are determined as a function of the speed of a radar-mounted vehicle and corrected for compensating various errors involved in measuring the speed of the vehicle to form spectrum groups each consisting of the frequency components moved by one of the corrected frequency shifts and frequency components in the other of the first and second spectra. The radar selects an optimum one of the spectrum groups for use in determining target data.

Abstract: The present position of a previously recognized stationary object group (SOp) is estimated based on past position data and the movement of the traveling vehicle during a past time (&Dgr;T). A clearance (Mwr, Mwl) between a traveling vehicle (Mx) and an adjacent stationary object group (Mxr, Mxl) is obtained based on the estimated position data. A clearance (Twr, Twl) between a preceding vehicle (Tx) and an adjacent stationary object group (Txr, Txl) is obtained based on the estimated position data and the position data of the preceding vehicle. A same lane judgement is performed to judge whether the traveling vehicle (VM) and the preceding vehicle (VT) are traveling on a same traffic lane based on at least one of the detected clearances (Mwr, Mwl, Twr, Twl).

Abstract: In an FM-CW radar system, a beat signal is frequency-analyzed for selecting ascending-side beat frequencies and descending-side beat frequencies for a plurality of targets. By pairing the ascending-side and descending-side beat frequencies one by one from each side, all possible combinations thereof are prepared. Based on these beat frequency combinations, beat frequency combinations after a given time are predicted, respectively. If an ascending-side beat frequency and a descending-side beat frequency of the predicted beat frequency combination are found in ascending-side beat frequencies and descending-side beat frequencies of a beat signal selected after the given time, respectively, or in the neighborhood of them, respectively, the predicted beat frequency combination of the found ascending-side and descending-side beat frequencies is set as a correct beat frequency combination. A further correct beat frequency combination/combinations can be set in the same manner.

Abstract: A brake apparatus for use in a motor vehicle having at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel. The brake apparatus includes a diagonal braking pressure supply system provided between a master cylinder and wheel braking cylinders for applying braking forces to the front and rear wheels. A proportioning valve is provided in the braking pressure supply system for controlling the braking pressure to be applied to the rear-wheel braking cylinder in accordance with a control signal so as to vary the ratio of the braking pressure to the rear-wheel braking cylinder with respect to the braking pressure to be applied to the front-wheel braking cylinder. Also included is an electronic control unit which produces the control signal to the proportioning valve.