Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Enhancement with Intelligent Tires

The ABS control system in production vehicles primarily consists of fixed parameters, which are established during the product development phase through extensive testing. The goal is to achieve an optimal performance balance while considering different tire types and operating conditions, including various road and weather scenarios. However, due to the fixed nature of these parameters, the system is unable to fully utilize the maximum braking capability that is achievable. This can result in suboptimal outcomes. Goodyear and TNO have jointly developed a demonstration vehicle serving as a platform to showcase an upgraded ABS controller that leverages data from intelligent tires. This demonstration vehicle showcases new possibilities for enhancing vehicle safety by integrating tire intelligence technology into the ABS controller. Intelligent tires, provide both static details such as tire type and dynamic information like tire pressure, temperature, wheel load, and tread wear state. The prototype ABS is constructed based on a production vehicle, retaining the original hydraulic brake control unit, and incorporating custom firmware for the high-level EBD/ABS controller, as well as low-level brake pressure estimation/control. Employing the sliding mode control principle with a risk-seeking policy, the ABS controller concentrates on wheel acceleration and slip control. Experimental results confirm the effectiveness and potential of intelligent tires in augmenting ABS performance, consequently minimizing the necessity for extensive tuning and testing efforts across diverse vehicle architectures. The modified ABS controller displays adaptability and adjustability, enabling it to effectively cater to varied tire types and operating conditions. By minimizing system uncertainty, intelligent tires have the capability to improve brake performance.