Nobuyuki Furui

Development of the scanning laser radar for ACC system

Abstract In recent years, the development of the adaptive cruise control (ACC) system with the aim to improve driving convenience and comfort, has been progressing. To put this ACC system to practical use, the elimination of unexpected acceleration or deceleration caused by incorrect judgment is highly demanded. From 1997, the Laser Radar ACC system has been produced for the domestic version of the Lexus LS400. It provides high recognition capability with a two-dimensional scanning technology at an affordable price. This paper introduces this Laser Radar with a high-performance two-dimensional scanning technology.

DEVELOPMENT OF A SCANNING LASER RADAR FOR ACC

This paper describes an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system with a distance control function that uses a scanning laser radar as a sensor for detecting preceding vehicles. When a slower vehicle is detected ahead of the vehicle, the system is able to decelerate the vehicle to match the speed of the preceding vehicle and control the vehicles speed to maintain a predetermined headway time selected by the driver. Closing the throttle and downshifting are the two methods used for deceleration. Once the preceding vehicle is no longer present, the ACC will accelerate the vehicle to the preset cruise speed and maintain the vehicle at that speed. This system reduces the drivers work load, thus increasing the convenience and ease of using the cruise control system.