Electronic Stability Applications in Commercial Vehicles

Stability control is becoming a standard feature on nearly all cars and trucks manufactured worldwide. This is driving major developments in both inertial sensors and kinematic controls. Inertial sensors include accelerometers and gyroscopes (gyros) which vary in size, cost, and performance. These sensors are compared and matched to various emerging needs for stability control in off-road machines.

Kinematic controls are demonstrating that real-time sensing and signal processing can offer better performance and lower cost than typical mechanical solutions for stability. Examples of how these sensors and controls can monitor and achieve electronic stability are illustrated for large and small machines.

Finally, guidelines are provided for addressing inertial effects such as gravity for several different comfort and safety applications. It is this challenge that leads to an electronic stability solution that is custom to each machine platform.