Active Cruise Control: Introduction

In 04/2000, active cruise control (system supplier: BOSCH) was installed for the first time in a BMW as special equipment for the E38.

Active cruise control is an extension of the conventional cruise-control system (FGR). A comfortable distance and cruise control has been added to this.

The distance from the vehicle ahead can be selected from 4 fixed timed separations. (EURO version: 1.0 - 1.5 - 2.0 - 2.5 seconds)

Thus the spatial distance from the vehicle in front changes with the speed.

With Active Cruise Control activated, a speed in the range from 30 km/h to 180 km/h can be preselected.

The 2nd generation (ACC 2) Active Cruise Control option 541 will be introduced for the first time in 09/2004 on the E63/E64.

With the model year measures in March 2005, Active Cruise Control (ACC 2) will be introduced in more models: E60, E61, E65, E66.

• E60, E61, E63, E64 before 09/2005
• E60, E61, E63, E64 from 09/2005
• E65, E66 as from 03/2005

Changes to ACC 2 compared to ACC 1 (ACC 1 in E60, E61, E65 and E66 before 03/2005):

• Radar sensor now has 4 radar antenna instead of just 3

  This means the area covered by the radar sensor is widened from ± 4° to ± 8°.

• The system is approx. 60 % smaller.

With the model year measures, the following changes to the active cruise control option will be introduced in March 2005:

• E60, E61, E63, E64

Additional scope of operation in combination of car communication computer (CCC) with Professional navigation system option 609.

The dynamics of the Active Cruise Control change according to the characteristics of the roads. (The roads are split into road categories, e.g. motorways and highways. In addition, the general the number of bends on the route ahead is analyzed, i.e. if there are a lot of bends ahead, or just a few, as well as the radii of the bends.)

The advantages: 

In comparison with the previous ACC, ACC 2 offers the following advantages:

• more dynamic control behavior
• The widened surveillance range of the radar sensor means that Active Cruise Control now works much better when cornering.
  • Vehicles in front are monitored earlier
  • Longer, more stable monitoring when following a vehicle (even in cases of tight bends)

Brief description of components 

The Active Cruise Control option consists of the following components:

• ACC sensor with control unit 

  The ACC sensor and control unit form a single unit.

  The ACC sensor monitors the distance, angle and relative speed of vehicles driving ahead. (Relative speed:

  The relative speed is the difference in speed between the two moving objects, i.e. relative to each other.)

  The ACC sensor is a radar sensor. The ACC sensor has a limited monitoring range (approximately 120 meters).

• Cruise-control system steering-column stalk 

  Cruise control is set and called up using the Active Cruise Control system steering-column stalk.

• 2 brake pressure sensors 

  A brake pressure sensor is installed in each of the front and rear axle brake circuits. The signals from the brake pressure sensors are evaluated by the Dynamic Stability Control.

  If Active Cruise Control is in use, the vehicle will be braked as necessary by the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) (not DSC intervention). The brake pressure sensors all the brake pressure, which is often only very slight, to be regulated to the front and rear axles

  • Vehicles with DSC 8Plus:

    The brake pressure sensors have been discontinued on vehicles with DSC 8Plus. DSC 8Plus is an advanced development of the familiar DSC 8.

In addition, the ACC control unit communicates with the following control units:

• DME or DDE:Digital engine electronics or digital diesel electronics 

  The DME/DDE controls the engine intervention. The following data is transmitted by the ACC sensor to the DME or DDE:

  • Current torque request

  The following data are transmitted from the DME or DDE to the ACC sensor:

  • Driver's command (signals from accelerator pedal module)
• SGM: Safety and gateway module 
  • E65, E66 as well as

    E60, E61, E63, E64 up to 09/2005:

    The SGM is the gateway (= data interface) between:

    • PT CAN
    • K-CAN
    • Byteflight 

    The diagnosis lead is also connected at the SGM.

  • E60, E61, E63, E64 from 09/2005

    The body-gateway module replaces the safety and gateway module (SGM).

• KGM: Body-gateway module 
  • E60, E61, E63, E64 from 09/2005

    The KGM is the gateway (= data interface) between:

    • PT CAN
    • K-CAN

    The diagnosis lead is also connected at the KGM.

• DSC: Dynamic Stability Control 

  The current status of the vehicle is detected by the DSC, for example by evaluating the following sensor signals:

  • Rate of yaw (measure of movement of the car about its vertical axis)
  • Steering angle
  • Information on the brake pressure
  • Circumferential wheel speed

  DSC then transmits data about current operating conditions to the ACC sensor.

  The following data are transmitted by the ACC sensor to the DSC:

  • Request for vehicle deceleration:

    DSC receives the request for vehicle deceleration from the Active Cruise Control via the PT-CAN. DSC reduces the speed. To do this, DSC intervenes in the brake system. (goal: comfortable vehicle deceleration. No DSC intervention in the sense of enhanced operating stability.)

  With automatic braking, the brake lights are actuated depending on the vehicle deceleration and the gradient of the road (legally prescribed).

• FPM: Accelerator pedal module 

  The accelerator pedal module signals the driver's command. This signal is required to check the respective driving status. (evaluation via DME/DDE)

  By pressing the accelerator pedal, the speed setpoint of the Active Cruise Control can be overridden at any time.

• Brake light switch 

  The brake light switch tells the active cruise control when the brake pedal has been pressed. Active Cruise Control is deactivated if braking actions are necessary.

• Clutch mode  (manual transmission only)

  Clutch engagement/disengagement is recognized by the signal from the clutch module.

  During the clutch engagement/disengagement process, the engine speed is maintained at an optimal speed range by the DME or DDE.

  After the clutch has been reengaged, the DME/DDE will adjust back to the current torque request from the Active Cruise Control.

  If the engine speed is too high or too low, an audible signal and a check control message prompt the driver to change gear. The prompt to upshift when the engine speed is too high is only made during the warm-up phase of the engine.

  If no gearshift or change in engine speed is made within approx. 5 seconds of such a signal being given, active cruise control will be deactivated.

  If the clutch is disengaged for longer than about 6 seconds, Active Cruise Control (ACC) will be deactivated.

  Active cruise control cannot be activated in 1st gear.

  Active cruise control is automatically deactivated in the "neutral gate" (i.e. no gear engaged and clutch not depressed).

  IMPORTANT: Only install prescribed rear differential unit. 
  Active Cruise Control has a variant coding which is co-ordinated with the differential ratio. If a different rear differential unit is installed, it may be the case that the Active Cruise Control will deactivate itself in manual transmissions, particularly in the higher gears. In this case, no fault is entered in the fault memory.
• EGS and SMG: electronic transmission control and sequential manual transmission 
  • Electronic transmission control

    The electronic transmission control evaluates the data from the DME/DDE and ACC sensor.

    The adaptive transmission control (constituent component of electronic transmission control) adapts the shift characteristics of the driving program to the driver's commands and the driving situation.

  • Sequential manual gearbox

    No automatic upshift in manual mode.

    In order to prevent excessively high engine speeds, an audible signal and check control message prompt the driver to change gear. The prompt to upshift when the engine speed is too high is only made during the warm-up phase of the engine.

    The following data are transmitted from the EGS or SMG to the ACC sensor:

  • Gear engaged
  • status information about gearshifts

  The ACC sensor transmits the following data to the EGS/SMG:

  • Current operating status
  • Current torque request
• LM: Light module 

  When active cruise control is in operation, the brake lights are actuated during automatic braking (legal requirement). This requires a signal sent via the K-CAN to the light module.

  Active cruise control uses the "turn signals" signal from the light module for assistance when changing lanes. In other words, if a left turn signal is given before overtaking, the distance to the vehicle in front is reduced.

  The vehicle to be overtaken is "ignored" more easily. Conversely, when you move back into the right lane, vehicles being driven there will be monitored more quickly.

• SZL: Steering column switch cluster 

  The SZL processes all data from the cruise-control system steering-column stalk.

  • E65, E66 as well as

    E60, E61, E63, E64 before 09/2005

    The SZL is connected to the safety and gateway module (SGM) via the byteflight. The SGM creates the connection to the bus system.

  • E60, E61, E63, E64 from 09/2005

    The SZL is connected to the bus system via the PT-CAN.

• Displays in the instrument cluster 

  For Active Cruise Control, the following displays are available in the instrument cluster:

  • Set speed via an indicator disc

    (Set speed = selected km/h of the cruise control system)

  • Monitored vehicle

    (Display through lit up icon)

  • Request for action to driver

    (Display through flashing icon. In addition, an audible warning is made.)

  • Selected distance from vehicle driving ahead

    (Display via icon)

  • The LC display briefly shows the newly selected set speed (approximately 6 seconds).
  • Check control message in LC display
• M-ASK or CCC and CID: Multi-audio system controller/Car Communication Computer and Central Information Display 
  • E60, E61, E63, E64 only

  For the instrument cluster, the M-ASK and CCC serve as an interface to the Central Information Display (CID).

  Amongst other things, the CID displays detailed information about the check control messages. To back up the check control message, the M-ASK / CCC emit acoustic warnings through the loudspeakers (depending on national version). The instrument cluster assumes control over these warnings via the K-CAN.

  • CCC with Professional navigation system option 609:

    Only in the combination of CCC with Professional navigation system option 609 are the additional scopes of operation possible for the dynamics control behavior.

• CD: Control display 
  • E65, E66 only

  The control display is the central display for the information and communication system.

  The control display is used as an interface between the MOST and K-CAN data buses. (MOST stands for "Media Oriented System Transport"; K-CAN stands for "Body Controller Area Network")

  Amongst other things, the control display displays detailed information about the check control messages. The instrument cluster controls these warnings by means of the K-CAN.

• CAS: Car Access System 

  The CAS provides input signals relating to terminal status (e.g. terminal 15 ON).

• HUD: Head-up display 
  • E60, E61, E63, E64 only

  The Head-up display (option 610) displays the following information:

  • Set speed
  • Object ahead monitored
  • Request for action to driver
  • Timed separation setting
  • Check-control messages