Vehicle control system and method

摘要

A control system and method for use in vehicles, such as automotive vehicles. The control system and method is particularly adapted for use in vehicles having by-wire control systems. The control system uses three system controllers. Each of the controllers is adapted to receive redundant control inputs from at least one input device, such as a steering actuator, an accelerator actuator and a brake actuator. Each controller is adapted to receive a different unprocessed actuator sensor signal and a processed actuator sensor signal which are associated with the input device. Each controller may also be adapted to receive a sensor status signal which is also associated with the input device. In accordance with the method of the invention, these signals may be used to determine a sensor signal which may be used as the basis for control of control systems or components in response to the input device. Depending on the status of these signals, the sensor signal used for control may comprise the processed sensor signal or a resolved sensor signal. The sensor signal used for control may be determined by implementing a voting process in conjunction with the controllers which utilizes both the unprocessed sensor signals and the processed sensor signals.