Object Detection Description and Operation Lane Departure Warning

The lane departure warning system is a convenience feature that issues a warning when the system detects that the vehicle has unintentionally crossed a lane marking. The lane departure warning system is controlled by a camera located behind the windshield which looks out at the road ahead and detects any lane markings. When the vehicle leaves a detected lane without using a turn signal, a visual and audible alert is given to the driver.

The lane departure warning system is made up of the following components:

Vehicle Direction Alert Alarm Warning Module

The vehicle direction alert alarm warning module (VDAAW) controls the lane departure warning system based on the visual inputs received by the camera, which is part of the VDAAW. The camera detects visual queues such as lane markings, curbs, guard rails, and fences. When it is determined that the vehicle has unintentionally moved outside of the lane, a visual and audible warning is given to the driver.

The VDAAW receives an input from the lane departure warning switch and controls the lane departure warning LED output. The VDAAW also communicates via serial data with the instrument panel cluster (IPC) and radio to request visual and audible alerts.

Lane Departure Warning Switch

The lane departure warning switch provides an input to the VDAAW to turn the lane departure warning system ON and OFF. The lane departure warning switch is part of the headlamp switch assembly. The VDAAW provides a signal voltage to the normally open momentary switch. When the switch is pressed, the signal circuit is pulled to ground, indicating to the VDAAW that the system has been request to turn ON or OFF.

The lane departure warning switch also contains the lane departure warning LED, which is controlled by the VDAAW to indicate the ON and OFF status of the lane departure warning system. When the system is has been enabled by the lane departure warning switch, the VDAAW applies 12 volts, illuminating the LED.

Instrument Panel Cluster

The instrument panel cluster (IPC) contains the green and amber land departure warning indicators. These indicate to the driver the current status of the lane departure warning system and are controlled via serial data by the VDAAW. When the system has detected the required lane markings and is ready to assist, the green indicator will be illuminated on the IPC. If the vehicle has unintentionally left the lane, the amber indicator will flash.

Radio

The radio controls the audible alert for the lane departure indicator. If the vehicle has unintentionally left the lane, the radio will command 3 beeps as an audible alert to the driver.

System Operation

System operation can be describe by the following modes:

Lane Crossing Alerts

Lane Departure Warning System DIC Messages

The VDAAW system commands the DIC to display the following messages to alert the driver of a system concern or status information:

Object Detection Description and Operation Side Blind Zone Alert

The side blind zone alert (SBZA) system is designed to detect vehicles or other objects that may be located in the vehicles blind spots. This detection is performed by two side object sensors, located behind the rear fascia on each side of the vehicle. When an object is detected in a blind spot, an indicator in the outside rearview mirror will illuminate, notifying the driver that it is unsafe to change lanes.

The SBZA system is made up of the following components:

Side Object Sensors

The side object sensors are each located behind the rear fascia, positioned so that the sensor is pointing out toward the opposite lane. Each sensor is supplied B+ and ground. The right sensor receives an additional ground. Both sensors communicate independently on the serial data line. The serial data enters the right sensor in a pass-thru configuration, the connects to the left sensor. The scan tool is able to individually communicate with each sensor.

When a vehicle or object is detected by a side object sensor, a serial data message is sent to the appropriate door module to illuminate the indicator located in the outside rearview mirror.

Door Modules

The driver and passenger receive serial data messages from the side object sensors. When a message is received indicating that a vehicle or object is in the blind spot, the appropriate door module will apply voltage to the indicator located in the outside rearview mirror, illuminating the indicator. The door module provides a continuous low reference circuit for the indicator.

Outside Rearview Mirror

The outside rearview mirrors each contain an indicator that is controlled by the appropriate door module. This indicator is illuminated when a vehicle or object is position in the vehicle's blind spot.

Side Blind Zone Alert Operation

When the vehicle is started, the indicators located in the outside rearview mirror will briefly illuminate to indicate that the system is operating. The side object sensors cover a zone of approximately one lane over from both sides of the vehicle, 11 ft. or 3.5 m. This zone starts at each side mirror and goes back approximately 16 ft. (5.0 m). The height of the zone is approximately between 1.5 ft. (0.5 m) and 6 ft. (2.0 m) off the ground. When a vehicle or object is detected in this area, the appropriate indicator will be illuminated, indicating to the driver that it is unsafe to change lanes. If a turn signal is activated while the indicator is illuminated, the indicator will flash as a more urgent warning that a lane change may be unsafe.

Foul weather may affect the operation of the SBZA system. Occasional missed alerts can occur under normal circumstances and will increase in wet conditions. The number of missed alerts will increase with increased rainfall or road spray. Heavy rainfall, as well as mud, dirt, snow, ice, or slush build-up on the rear fascia, will completely disable the system.

If the vehicle is towing a trailer or has an object, such as a bicycle rack, attached to the rear of the vehicle, the SBZA system may not function properly and the indicators will remain illuminated at all time.

Side Blind Zone Alert DIC Messages

SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT SYSTEM OFF

This message indicates that the system has been disabled through the DIC. Refer to the vehicle owners manual for instructions on how to set personalization options on the DIC.

SIDE BLIND ZONE SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE

This message indicates that the system has been disabled because the sensor is blocked or can otherwise not accurately detect vehicles or objects. Such instances may be mud, dirt, snow, ice, or slush build-up on the rear fascia, heavy rainfall, or excessive road spray.

SERVICE SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT SYSTEM

This message indicates that the system requires service. When the message is displayed, the indicators will remain illuminated at all times, notifying the driver that the SBZA system should not be relied upon when changing lanes.

Object Detection Description and Operation Parking Assist

The ultrasonic parking assist system is designed to identify and notify the driver of an object in the vehicle's path when moving forward or reversing at speeds of less than 8 km/h (5 mph). The distance and location of the object is determined by eight object sensors: four located in the rear bumper and four located in the front bumper. The parking assist system will notify the driver using the parking assist indicators and an audible signal through the radio.

The parking assist system is made up of the following components:

Object Alarm Module

The object alarm module provides an 8-volt reference and a low reference to the eight parking assist sensors. The object alarm module receives individual signals from each of the eight sensors and determines the location and distance of an object based on these inputs. When an object is detected, the object alarm module will illuminate the appropriate LED on the appropriate parking assist indicator and send a serial data message to the radio requesting an audible alert.

Parking Assist Sensors

The parking assist sensors are located the in front and rear bumpers of the vehicle. The sensors are used to determine the distance between an object and the bumper. Each sensor emits an ultrasonic frequency which is reflected off object located behind the vehicle. These reflections are received by the sensors. The time difference between when the frequency was emitted and when the reflection is received, known as sensor ring time, is used to determine the distance to the object. The sensors report this information to the object alarm module.

Parking Assist Indicators

The rear parking assist indicator is located in the interior rear of the vehicle and is visible through the inside rearview mirror. The front parking assist indicator is located on the instrument panel. Each indicator contains three LEDs: two amber and one red. The object alarm module controls these three LEDs as a visual indicator of how close the vehicle bumper is to an object. The object alarm module supplies voltage to each of the LEDs and commands each LED on by supplying an individual ground.

Parking Assist Operation

When the vehicle is first placed into reverse or drive, the parking assist system performs a bulb check. During the bulb check, the all three LED located in the parking assist indicator will illuminate for approximately 2 seconds to indicate that the system is working.

When backing up or pulling forwards at speeds of less than 8 km/h (5 mph), the system is constantly monitoring for object of interest. The parking assist system can detect objects greater than 7.6 cm (3 in) wide and 25.4 cm (10 in) tall. The system cannot detect objects below the bumper, underneath the vehicle,. If an object is detected, one of the following will occur:

If the parking assist system detects a malfunction, a DTC will be stored and the object alarm module will send a serial data message to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) to display the SERVICE PARK ASSIST message on the driver information center (DIC). A chime will sound and the red LED on the parking assist indicator will be illuminated. as a notification to the driver that a malfunction exists and the system is disabled.

Parking Assist System DIC Messages

SERVICE PARK ASSIST

The driver information center (DIC) displays SERVICE PARK ASSIST when the object alarm module detects a malfunction in the parking assist system and the system is disabled. The DIC also displays SERVICE PARK ASSIST when a loss of communication occurs with the object alarm module.

PARK ASSIST OFF

The PARK ASSIST OFF message is displayed in the DIC when the object alarm system is disabled due to conditions that disable or inhibit the system. The red LED in the park assist indicator will be illuminated to indicate that the system has been disabled. The object alarm module requests the DIC display PARK ASSIST OFF when it detects that one of the following conditions: