Tech Primer
As an important addition to automotive safety, ABS and ESC are increasingly installed into vehicles as a standard feature. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) works by monitoring the speed change of each wheel during braking to identify if a wheel has 'locked' or is close to locking and loosing traction. When a lock is detected the braking force to the wheel in question will be modulated to allow the wheel but begin rotating once more. ESC (Electronic stability Control) is similar in some respects to ABS in that it monitors and controls stability through the braking systems, but has additional features and functionality over ABS. ESC is an automotive safety technology that detect and correct for example side slip. Corrective action is usually achieved by application or modulation of force to the brake one or more wheels and may also involve a reduction in engine power output.
ESC can continuously monitors the stability of a vehicle in real time by taking advantage of advanced sensing technology. A steering wheel angle sensor is used to detect driver input; a yaw rate sensor and a low g sensor measure the vehicle's response. Owing to the real time operational requirements of ECS it is necessary to implement the system with hardware and software capable of processing the incoming data and taking appropriate action within a fraction of a second. Some typical suppliers of suitable hardware are companies such as Infineon and ST Microelectronics can provide.
For more information on ABS, please refer to the ABS solutions document.
- Electronic Stability Control
- Hitting the ESC Button
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- TRW Automotive ESC Electronic Stability Control
- Electronic Stability Control
- Could ESC (Electronic Stability Control) Change the Way We Drive?
- Electronic Stability Control for Commercial Vehicles
- Choose ESC, Choose Life!
- The Effectiveness of ESC (Electronic Stability Control) in Reducing Real Life Crashes and Injuries
- Electronic Stability Control Automotive Safety Systems
- ESC as a Baseline for Active Satety
- ESC Background Paper