Delphi Automotive, Delco Electronics Make Crucial Vehicle Systems for Automated Highway Test
5 August 1997
Delphi Automotive, Delco Electronics Make Crucial Vehicle Systems for Automated Highway Test
PONTIAC, Mich., Aug. 5 -- As a fleet of specially modified
Buick LeSabres travels down a highway outside San Diego, Calif., this August,
the drivers won't really be driving. They won't touch steering wheels or
brake pedals after they get on the Automated Highway System (AHS) for its
first test. Delphi Automotive Systems and Delco Electronics* sensors,
actuators and controllers will be doing the work with an integrated vehicle
control system that is helping move automated highways from science fiction to
reality.
In theory, the drivers can be reading the paper or even napping; however,
these drivers will be watching closely to see how the system performs in the
first test of the Automated Highway System. The test vehicles will negotiate
a 7.5 mile stretch of "smart" highway -- the first "superhighway" in America
designed to improve traffic flow and dramatically enhance safety. The seven-
year project has been a collaboration of industry, government and academia
brought together under the National Automated Highway System Consortium
(NAHSC).
Delco Electronics is one of ten members of the Consortium and has provided
funding, technical expertise in electronics systems integration and specially-
designed components to implement the demonstration.
Delco Electronics' VRC (Vehicle to Roadside Communications) transponder
systems enable the vehicle to merge into traffic and to receive information
transmitted from infrastructure components like bridges, toll booths or signs.
Delco Electronics' in-dash AMLCD (Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display) flat
panel displays provide visual and audio messages to the driver. The
information is duplicated on a Delco Electronics' Eyecue Head-Up Display.
Delco Electronics' 77 GHZ millimeter-wave radar sensors accurately measure
the distance and relative speed between each vehicle, providing key real-time
data for the brake and throttle controls that regulate headway in the platoons
of auto-pilot vehicles.
Magnetometer sensors mounted to the front and rear bumpers read magnets
embedded in the pavement to monitor vehicle course. The fiber optic CAN Bus
which allows all the electronics to communicate with one another are also
provided by Delco Electronics.
Hands-off steering is enabled through an advanced steering technology
recently made commercially available by Delphi Automotive Systems. The fully
electric AHS steering system is based on E*STEER(TM) Electric Power Steering.
An electric motor-driven gear assist mechanism mounted on the steering column
provides power-assisted steering. Using this technology, Delphi developed a
position control steering actuator that allows hands-free steering and lateral
control for the AHS demonstration vehicles.
The Delphi steering system provides reliable, accurate performance.
Sensors continuously read the vehicle's position on the road 250 times per
second, which is eight times faster than the human eye. A brushless electric
motor turns the steering shaft through a worm gear to constantly adjust the
steering position for precise vehicle control.
The demonstration vehicles use the GALILEO(TM) electrically actuated
brake-by-wire rear brake system and DBC-7 solenoid-based anti-lock brake
modulators from Delphi. GALILEO(TM) uses sensors to read the braking effort
requested by the control system. The proper signals are fed to the electronic
brake actuators proportional to the braking effort input.
The solenoid-based ABS system uses similar technology originally developed
for fuel injectors by Delphi. It enables engineers to design and develop
technologies like traction control, tire inflation monitoring and Delphi's
TRAXXAR(TM) stability enhancement system also used on the test vehicles.
The TRAXXAR(TM) system, developed jointly with Delco Electronics,
integrates all major chassis control systems: steering, braking, suspension
and engine for optimum vehicle balance, traction, control and stability. The
system uses steering and speed sensors, an ABS/traction control system
modulator and controller, relative position sensors, a yaw rate sensor and
other control technology for enhanced vehicle stability.
Another Delphi contribution to the AHS test vehicle controls is an
integrated electro-motor cruise control. This package provides cruise, coast,
acceleration and improves vehicle performance on steep hills, at high
altitudes and when the vehicle is heavily loaded.
To seamlessly manage powertrain, steering, braking and other major vehicle
control systems, the AHS demonstration vehicles require extraordinary
electronic sensing, control and actuator design and integration. Advanced
algorithm development capabilities position Delphi and Delco Electronics to
supply the overall sensor and control systems integration required for this
project. All of the Delphi and Delco Electronics systems demonstrated during
the San Diego test of the Automated Highway System are either production-ready
or in production.
This unusual project uses magnets embedded in the roadway and magnetic
sensors in the vehicles to provide vehicle road position information to a
master control system. The sophisticated master electronic control system
monitors course, speed and proximity to other vehicles or obstacles and
adjusts steering, braking and acceleration accordingly.
The key to the test is to see how "platooning" works as smart vehicles and
a smart highway provide an optimal environment for a steady flow of traffic.
The test puts a computer-managed concentration of vehicles on the road at
steady speeds and spaced intervals. This reduces vehicle congestion, allows
more vehicles to occupy the road and decreases driving time.
Most importantly, it could minimize the possibility of accidents caused by
driver inattention or error. Since these factors are the cause of roughly 90%
of all rear-end collisions, the system's contribution to highway safety is
incalculable.
* GM has announced that subject to various contingencies, including a vote
by GM common stockholders, it plans to effect certain transactions which,
among other things, would result in Delco Electronics Corporation becoming a
part of Delphi Automotive Systems.
SOURCE General Motors