Radar Based Adaptive Cruise Control for Truck Applications

Radar based collision warning systems (CWS) for heavy trucks have been in production and on the road in the United States for approximately two years. A short description of these systems is presented with actual driver performance data and accident reduction data as experienced by various U.S. national fleets using these systems. The next application of radar sensors is for Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) or also known as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). This paper describes the operation of adaptive cruise control and presents the associated benefits to the driver

The radar technology has been enhanced and the application has been extended to include radar controlled adaptive cruise control for heavy trucks This has been made possible by 1) technology improvements in radar systems, plus 2) the addition of the standard SAE J1939 data bus for engine controllers on most U.S diesel engines. The SAE J1939 data bus allows electronic control of engine speed by the radar system plus in many cases, control of engine retarder braking to assist in vehicle slowing while in adaptive cruise control operation.

This paper described the radar operation, radar enhancements and the benefits of adaptive cruise control as experienced by drivers. The most significant radar enhancement, called monopulse radar is presented Comparisons are made between standard cruise control operation on heavy trucks and adaptive cruise control