High Performance ACC System Based on Sensor Fusion with Distance Sensor, Image Processing Unit, and Navigation System

Curve sensors used in first generation “Adaptive Cruise Control” systems (ACC) are based on steering angle sensors, lateral accelerometers or yaw rate sensors. The disadvantage of these curve sensors is that they do not have any preview characteristics. This leads in many driving situations to misinterpretations by the ACC system, e.g. wrong path assignments of vehicles ahead because of non-constant curve radii particularly in the beginning and ending of curves. The consequence is that the ACC car brakes due to vehicles in adjacent lanes or it ignores relevant obstacles. In the following a second generation ACC system will be presented whose curve sensor is realized by a real time image processing system with the support of a GPS-based navigation system. This multi-sensor fusion system is now suitable for collision avoidance and stop and go applications.