The first generation of radar-sensor-based ACC-Systems will be available in 1998/1999 in Europe. As a first step high end car manufacturers will sell ACC as optional equipment in their top models for a significant add-on price. For this generation good performance was the most important development goal.
For the future, however, small, highly integrated systems are needed which easily can be fitted into the body of small cars. High performance and low cost are essential to allow the car manufacturers to sell ACC as standard equipment.
A first step in that direction is the “Sensor and Control Unit” developed by Bosch which integrates a FMCW-radar sensor and the ACC-controller in one housing.
It is designed for easy manufacturing on existing equipment with standard processes.
The design meets the requirements of an early phase with low production figures as well as a phase characterized by increasing numbers and decreasing prices.
An overview is given over the technical concepts, the choice of the adequate technologies and the development process. The capability of the chosen concept to integrate future technologies is also mentioned.