A Comparative Study between GMLAN Speed and GPS Reported Vehicle Speed by Vehicle Maneuver

Abstract

Some GM (General Motors) vehicles are using a GMLAN (General Motors Local Area Network) communication protocol for control and diagnostics. The airbag control module uses vehicle speed information from the GMLAN to record the vehicle speed as pre-crash information. In order to use the vehicle speed information for crash reconstruction purposes, it helps to be able to understand the accuracy of the data. The actual vehicle speed is not expected to be the same as the GMLAN indicated speed in some situations like a spin or if there is hard braking. This paper compares the actual vehicle speed and vehicle speed information during specific vehicle maneuvers. Actual vehicle speed is calculated from a GPS sensor, while GMLAN vehicle speed is calculated from transmission output sensor by the Engine control module (ECM). Vehicle maneuvers defined as Mode #1, Mode #2, Mode #3. The Mode #1 maneuver simulates wheel lock-up and skidding during Hard-braking at a specific speed. The Mode #2 maneuver simulates a 90 degree turn using a J-turn maneuver at a specific speed. The Mode #3 maneuver simulates a 180 degree turn using a spin type of maneuver at a specific speed. The study then compares the GMLAN speed and GPS speed to see what speed difference exists between them. The results of this paper are applicable to GM vehicles only. This paper catalogs the performance and limitations of two vehicles as useful reference for crash reconstructions where there is a need to understand the speed indicated in the pre-crash section of the SDM data.