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Advancing Safety

Adaptive cruise control with collision warning and brake support is a reality with the industry's first multimode electronically scanning radar by Delphi.

What if every vehicle on the road detected stopped vehicles in the lane ahead and automatically braked to a smooth stop before reaching them? Delphi's multimode electronically scanning radar (ESR), a world first for the automotive industry, is helping to make that dream reality by offering an affordable technology that enables adaptive cruise control with collision warning and brake support ... and much more.

The innovative ESR uses proven solid-state technology and class-leading performance, packaging and durability to help vehicle manufacturers offer consumers an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system that not only enhances safety and convenience but also improves fuel economy.

An integral part of the adaptive cruise control system in multiple 2010 vehicles, Delphi's ESR replaces traditional multiple-beam radars that use mechanical scanning or fixed, overlapping beams and incorporates proven solid-state technology. By eliminating all moving parts, the radar is more resistant to vibration and extremely reliable.

"Delphi's world-class innovation enhances safety and convenience, and brings the price down to such an attractive level that the technology is useable in high-volume segments for the first time," said Beth Schwarting, vice president, Electronic Controls, Delphi Electronics & Safety. For some time the military has been using electronically scanning radar technology. Leveraging expertise in high-volume manufacturing of electronic control units, Delphi is helping to bring the price of the radar down for use in the automotive industry, and the technology's affordability has already resulted in multiple vehicle introductions around the world.

A wide—and long—range of capability

In developing the ESR for automotive applications, Delphi was challenged to combine a field-of-view with simultaneous mid- and long-range coverage. The mid-range detection zone projects 60 meters (197 feet) and provides a 90-degree field-of-view. At the same time, the long-range zone extends 174 meters (571 feet) and provides a 20-degree field-of-view ahead of the equipped vehicle.

Wide, mid-range coverage not only allows vehicles cutting in from adjacent lanes to be detected, but also allows vehicles and pedestrians across the width of the equipped vehicle to be detected. Long-range coverage provides accurate range and speed data with effective object discrimination required to identify up to 64 targets in the vehicle's path.

Scanning the extra benefits

Unlike multiple-beam radars with mechanical scanning or fixed, overlapping beams, the ESR is especially durable because it has no moving parts to be subjected to vibration.

The compact ESR measures just 173.7 x 90.2 x 49.2 mm (6.8 x 3.5 x 2 inches), including its electronics and mounting features. The small size makes it easier to integrate the sensor without compromising vehicle styling.

"This innovative technology helps our customers address real-world challenges, said Mike Thoeny, engineering director, Electronic Controls, Delphi Electronics & Safety. "Our cutting-edge electronically scanning radar technology has led to groundbreaking products that give our customers a competitive safety advantage."

Visionary

	Delphi Electronically Scanning Radar (ESR) front view
	Delphi Electronically Scanning Radar (ESR) back view

The multimode electronically scanning radar can be integrated with Delphi's vision system to provide vehicle manufacturers additional value. Using a sophisticated camera, vision control module, radar sensor and unique data fusion algorithms, inputs from the radar and vision sensors can be combined. This process is commonly known as sensor fusion, and the fused data expands the potential for safety system functionality. For instance, a fused radar/vision system that estimates the risk for a collision as the vehicle approaches another moving vehicle or a stationary vehicle is already in production. If the system estimates the risk to be high, it can provide both visual and audible warnings to the driver, and if the driver doesn't react, the system can automatically apply the brakes to avoid or considerably reduce the effect of the collision. In a 2010 vehicle, this functionality will be enhanced to detect pedestrians.

It's no surprise that active safety systems are important to consumers, and according to a recent MSN Cars survey, adaptive cruise control is ranked as one of the top two technologies that drivers would most like on their next vehicle. Delphi has long recognized the importance of—and demand for—consumer safety. "With the multimode ESR added to our lineup of active safety technologies, Delphi is better able to align customer desires with safety technologies at an attractive price," said Schwarting. "And once again bring innovation to the real world."

For more information about Delphi's multimode electronically scanning radar, click here. To learn about other Delphi active safety systems, such as lane departure warning, click here.