Abstract:
An automatic transmission ratio shift control system and method for a powertrain having an engine and multiple-ratio gearing controlled by friction elements actuated by hydraulic pressure, an electronic controller for establishing torque transitions among the friction elements as the gear ratio changes, the engine speed being controlled by an electronic throttle control. The strategy employs an electronic throttle and closed loop engine speed control and uses fuel and air as an energy source to increase engine speed during a power-off downshift. The engine speed is boosted to a level close to the synchronous speed in conjunction with release of the off-going friction element. The on-coming friction element is then applied as the engine speed approaches a desired speed. The engine speed increase is timed to lead an increase in torque converter speed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention relates to a system and method for controlling a coasting downshift in a vehicle powertrain having an engine and an automatic transmission capable of producing multiple gear ratios.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Coasting or power-off downshifts are those gear ratio changes produced by the transmission automatically in response to a reduction in vehicle speed due to the need for a higher gear ratio. Power-off manual pull-in downshifts are those gear ratio changes initiated manually by the vehicle operator by moving a gear selector lever from a first position corresponding to the current gear to a second position corresponding to the next gear and by relieving force on the accelerator pedal. These actions allow the accelerator pedal to rise and the engine throttle to close, at least partially, in response to movement of the pedal. Such power-off downshifts, both those produced automatically by the transmission control system or those initiated manually by the operator and completed by the control system, are typically not as smooth as non-synchronous coasting downshifts.  
         [0005]     Non-synchronous gearshifts are gear ratio changes resulting when a single friction element, a hydraulically actuated clutch or brake, changes its state from engaged to disengaged. Synchronous gear shifts are gear ratio changes resulting when at least two friction elements change state between engaged and disengaged.  
         [0006]     During a synchronous downshift, the transmission gear ratio increases, which causes the speed of a torque converter turbine to rise in proportion to the ratio change. Because the engine is coupled to the transmission through the turbine, a power-off downshift causes the engine speed to increase as the turbine speed increases. The energy required to accelerate the engine inertia and friction torque load is supplied by vehicle inertia. This energy exchange causes the output torque supplied to the driven wheels to drop, resulting in a bumpy undesirable shift feel.  
         [0007]     There is a need to improve the response of synchronous power-off downshifts and manual pull-in downshifts by controlling the increase in engine speed primarily through electronic throttle control and spark retardation, rather than by the on-coming friction element. Such a strategy would minimize the decrease in output shaft torque because energy required to raise engine speed and turbine speed would be provided by the engine.  
         [0008]     A control strategy is required to improve the quality of coasting downshifts to a level equivalent to non-synchronous gear ratio changes. Such a strategy should be applicable both to synchronous and to non-synchronous downshifts.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The strategy of the present invention employs electronic throttle and closed loop engine speed control in order to use fuel and air as the energy source for increasing engine speed during a power-off downshift. The engine speed is boosted to a level close to the synchronous speed in conjunction with release of an off-going friction element. The on-coming friction element is then applied as the engine speed approaches the desired speed. The engine speed increase is timed to lead the turbine speed increase. Therefore, the turbine does not transmit power to the engine in order to increase the engine speed. The outcome is a smoother power-off downshift.  
         [0010]     A closed loop engine controller manipulates spark and air to prevent overshoot of engine speed rise towards the end of the shift. Engine torque feed forward is be used to improve the engine response to an engine speed change command.  
         [0011]     The control strategy of this invention improves the quality of coasting downshifts to that of an equivalent non-synchronous gear ratio shift. The strategy is applicable to synchronous-to-synchronous downshift and to non-synchronous-to-synchronous downshifts.  
         [0012]     When a gear ratio change occur before the engine reaches the synchronous speed for the oncoming gear ratio, the engine speed is controlled to follow the increase in turbine speed, thereby reducing abrupt inertia effects perceptible on board the vehicle.  
         [0013]     In realizing these advantages a method for controlling a powertrain that includes an engine, automatic transmission having an offgoing friction element to be disengaged during a gear ratio change, and a torque converter having a turbine, includes the steps of initiating a gear ratio change from a current gear ratio to a next gear ratio; determining a value representing a desired engine speed until disengagement of the offgoing friction element is detected; determining a rate of increase of desired engine speed during a period following detection of the disengagement of the offgoing friction element; increasing the desired engine speed value at the start of the period by said determined rate of increase during the period; and using the desired engine speed value to control engine speed during the gear ratio change.  
         [0014]     Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing a powertrain for an automotive vehicle including a microprocessor for controlling the vehicle transmission and engine;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of a transmission having a torque converter and multiple-ratio gearing, the gearing elements being controlled by friction clutches and brakes;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  graphically represents the changes in engine speed, turbine speed, and synchronous speed during a downshift controlled in accordance with this invention, in which the pressure ramp completes; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  graphically represents the changes in engine speed, turbine speed, and synchronous speed during a downshift controlled in accordance with this invention, in which the ratio change occurs before the pressure ramp is completed. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a system  10  for controlling coasting, synchronous downshifts of an automatic transmission according to the present invention. System  10  includes a vehicle power train  12  having an internal combustion engine  14  coupled to an automatic transmission  16 . Powertrain  12  may also include a controller  18  in communication with engine  14  and transmission  16  for providing various information and control functions. Engine  14  is connected to transmission  16  via a crankshaft  20 , which is connected to transmission pump  22  and/or a torque converter  24 . Preferably, torque converter  24  is a hydrodynamic torque converter including a impeller  26 , which is selectively hydrokinetically coupled to a turbine  28 . Torque converter  24  may also include a frictional converter clutch or bypass clutch  30 , which provides a selective frictional coupling between turbine shaft  32  and crankshaft  20 .  
         [0020]     Automatic transmission  16  produces multiple gear ratios effected by various gears, and associated frictional elements such as clutches, brakes, and couplers. The gearing produces selective torque reduction and torque multiplication ratios between turbine shaft  32  and output shaft  38 . Automatic transmission  16  is preferably electronically controlled via one or more shift solenoids, indicated generally by reference numeral  40 , and a converter clutch control (CC)  41  to select an appropriate gear ratio based on current operating conditions. Transmission  16  also preferably includes an actuator for controlling pump pressure (PP)  42  (or line pressure), in addition to a shift lever position sensor (PRN)  44  to provide an indication of the operator&#39;s selected gear or driving mode, such as drive, reverse, park, etc. A line pressure sensor (LP)  46  can be provided to facilitate closed loop feedback control of the hydraulic line pressure during shifting or ratio changing.  
         [0021]     Depending upon the particular application, output shaft  38  may be coupled to one or more axles  48  via a differential mechanism  50 . Each axle  48  may include two or more wheels  54  having corresponding wheel speed sensors  56 .  
         [0022]     In addition to the sensors described above, powertrain  12  preferably includes a plurality of sensors, indicated generally by reference numeral  60 , in communication with corresponding input ports  62  of controller  18  to sense or monitor the current operating and ambient conditions of powertrain  12 . A plurality of actuators, indicated generally by reference numeral  64 , communicate with controller  18  via output ports  56  to effect control of powertrain  12  in response to commands generated by controller  18 .  
         [0023]     The sensors preferably include a throttle valve position sensor (TPS)  68 , which monitors the position of throttle valve  70 , disposed within intake  72 . A mass airflow sensor (MAF)  74  provides an indication of the air mass flowing through intake  72 . A temperature sensor (TMP)  76  provides an indication of the engine coolant temperature ECT, or alternatively engine oil temperature.  
         [0024]     An engine speed sensor (RPM)  80  monitors rotational speed of crankshaft  20 . Similarly, a turbine speed sensor  82  monitors the rotational speed of the turbine  28  of torque converter  24 . Another rotational speed sensor, the output shaft speed sensor (OSS)  84 , provides an indication of the speed of output shaft  38 , which may be used to determine the vehicle speed based on the gear ratios of the final drive gearset, differential  50 , and the size of wheels  54 . Wheel speed sensors (WS 1  and WS 2 )  56  may be used as secondary sources providing an indication of the output shaft speed and vehicle speed.  
         [0025]     Depending upon the particular application requirements, various sensors may be omitted or alternative sensors provided which generate signals indicative of related sensed parameters. Values corresponding to ambient or operating conditions may be inferred or calculated using one or more of the sensed parameters without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.  
         [0026]     An accelerator pedal  58  is manipulated by the driver to control the output of powertrain  12 . A pedal position sensor  59  provides an indication of the position of accelerator pedal  58 , preferably in the form of counts, with an increasing number of counts indicating a request for increased power output. A manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor, or equivalent, may be used to provide an indication of the current barometric pressure and manifold pressure.  
         [0027]     Actuators  64  are used to provide control signals or to effect movement of various devices in powertrain  12 . Actuators  64  may include actuators for timing and metering fuel (FUEL)  90 , controlling ignition angle or timing (SPK)  92 , setting the amount of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)  94 , and adjusting the intake air using throttle valve  70  with an appropriate servomotor or actuator (TVA)  96 . As described above, automatic transmission  16  is controlled to produce selectively its various gear ratios by controlling transmission hydraulic line pressure using an appropriate actuator (PP)  42  in combination with shift solenoids (SS 1  and SS 2 )  40 , which pressure and vent servos in response to command signals from controller  18 . The hydraulic friction clutches and brakes engage and disengage according to the pressurized and vented state of the servos, whereby the appropriate gear ratio is produced. A torque converter clutch locks, unlocks, and produces variable slip across the torque converter clutch  30  in response to a control signal from controller  18  applied to a solenoid (CC)  41 , which controls a valve through which the state of the torque converter clutch is changed. Preferably, a temperature sensor  106  produces a signal representing the transmission oil temperature (TOT).  
         [0028]     Controller  18  is preferably a microprocessor-based controller, which provides integrated control of engine  14  and transmission  16  of powertrain  12 . The present invention may be implemented with a separate engine or transmission controller depending upon the particular application. Controller  18  includes a microprocessor  110  in communication with input ports  62 , output ports  66 , and computer readable media  112  via a data/control bus  114 . Computer readable media  112  may include various types of volatile and nonvolatile memory such as random access memory (RAM)  116 , read-only memory (ROM)  118 , and keep-alive memory (KAM)  120 . These functional descriptions of the various types of volatile and nonvolatile storage may be implemented by any of a number of known physical devices including, but not limited to EPROMs, EEPROMs, PROMS, flash memory, and the like. Computer readable media  112  include stored data representing instructions executable by microprocessor  110  to implement the method for controlling hydraulic pressure during shifting according to the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows in schematic form a multiple-ratio transmission for an automotive vehicle capable of embodying the improved control method and strategy of the invention. The transmission of  FIG. 2  is merely one example of a multiple-gear ratio transmission to which the control logic of the present invention can be applied. The invention is not restricted to the specific transmission illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0030]     The hydrokinetic torque converter  24  has an impeller  26  and a turbine  28  arranged in known fashion in a toroidal fluid flow circuit. The impeller  26  is connected to the crankshaft  10  of the internal combustion engine  14 .  
         [0031]     Turbine  28  is connected to turbine shaft  32 , which transmits torque to the carrier of a simple planetary gear unit  130 . Sun gear  132  of the gear unit  130  is connected to overdrive brake drum  134 . An overdrive friction disc brake  136  transmits reaction torque to the transmission housing when it is applied, thereby effecting an overdrive condition for the gear unit  130 . A coast clutch  137  directly connects the carrier for the gear unit  130  to the sun gear  132 , thereby accommodating a reverse torque transfer from the vehicle wheels to the engine through the converter. An overrunning coupling  138  establishes a direct driving connection between the turbine shaft and torque transfer shaft  140 .  
         [0032]     Shaft  140  serves as a torque input shaft for compound planetary gearing  142 , which comprises gear units  144  and  146  with a common sun gear  148 . Ring gear  150  of gear unit  14  is connected to shaft  140  through a forward-drive clutch  152 . Sun gear  148  is connected to shaft  138  through a high-ratio clutch  154 . An intermediate speed ratio brake  156  can brake Sun gear  148  when the clutch  154  is disengaged. The carrier  158  for the gear unit  144  is connected to torque output shaft  160 .  
         [0033]     Ring gear  162  for the gear unit  146  is connected to shaft  160 . The carrier  164  for the gear unit  146  is connected to reverse brake drum  166 . Reverse brake band  168  surrounds drum  166  and anchors the carrier  164  during reverse drive. During forward drive in the lowest speed ratio, brake drum  166  is anchored to the transmission housing through overrunning coupling  170 .  
         [0034]     The transmission operates in the third gear ratio when intermediate brake  156  and forward clutch  152  are engaged. A synchronous downshift to the second gear ratio from third gear results upon disengaging brake  156 , the off going friction element, and engaging the overdrive brake  136 , the oncoming friction element, while maintaining the forward clutch  152  engaged. Similarly a synchronous manual downshift from third gear to second gear results upon disengaging brake  156  and engaging the overdrive brake  136 , while maintaining the forward clutch  152  engaged.  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  graphically represents the changes in filtered engine speed NEBART, filtered turbine speed NTBART, and synchronous speed, which is the calculated speed of the turbine, i.e., the product of the current output shaft speed OSS and the gear ratio of the transmission. Zone “X” represents a period before a coast condition downshift is initiated by the controller  18  upon issuing a PWM command to the solenoids SS 1  and SS 2  to change the pressure of the servos associated with the offgoing friction element and the oncoming friction element.  
         [0036]     During each control loop of the controller, the exit conditions for the current mode are checked prior to entry into the next mode. If the exit conditions for the current mode are satisfied, then the control logic may proceed during the ratio change to the next mode. Otherwise, the control remains with the current mode. The control logic is executed and the output control signals, transmitted to the solenoids that control the friction elements of the transmission, are sensed in real time.  
         [0037]     The digital controller  18  receives input signals from sensors. Control logic is executed and output control signals are sent in real-time to the solenoids that control the friction elements. Engine speed, transmission input speed and output speed are determined from sensors located in the hardware. Other inputs are throttle position, transmission range selector lever position, and transmission oil temperature signals. From the above signals, the output signals are calculated based on the shift control logic.  
         [0038]     The following inputs are read from sensors, converted to engineering units, and filtered: 
        engine speed (nebart),     transmission turbine speed (ntbart),     transmission output shaft speed (nobart),     transmission oil temperature,     transmission range selector lever position (PDL), and     accelerator pedal position (dd_trans).        
 
         [0045]     The following parameters are derived from sensor inputs: 
        slip across the torque converter (slip_act)=nebart−ntbart;     the time derivative of engine speed, turbine speed and output shaft speed;     the current gear synchronous speed (cur_sync_os)=output shaft speed*current gear ratio;     next gear synchronous speed (exe_sync_os)=output shaft speed*executing gear ratio;     vehicle speed (vsbart)=output shaft speed*conversion constant;     percent shift complete (pcsftcmpt);     net engine torque (tq_net);     wheel torque (tq_wheel); and     transmission ratio (rt_trans).        
 
         [0055]     Closed loop (target-N) control logic consists of four modes, three will execute and one is an alternate: shift start, ramp engine speed, detect coast/brake element apply and turbine follower detect coast/brake element apply. All calibrations involved in the shifts are unique for each particular gear ratio change. Reference to “calibratable or calibrated” means a scalar or function whose value is a predetermined magnitude, which can be changed or calibrated by altering the control algorithm to tune or produce a desired performance characteristic. Calibrated function values are stored in memory, the currently magnitudes of which are determined from a look-up table with reference to another variable or a set of variables, the arguments or indexes of the function.  
         [0056]     Each loop, the exit conditions from the current mode to the next mode are checked. If the exit conditions are satisfied, then the control logic for the resulting mode is executed. Otherwise, control remains with the current mode, and the control logic for the current mode is executed. The entry conditions, exit conditions, and the control logic will be described for each mode.  
         [0057]     When a synchronous downshift is initiated, the controller enters the Shift Start Mode, which controls engine speed to synchronous speed plus an offset until a neutral interval occurs. Turbine speed is used as positive feedback to produce an increase in engine speed.  
         [0058]     First several inquires are made to determine whether to pass control to the_Ramp Engine Speed Mode. If the actual transmission turbine speed differs from (current gear synchronous speed+the initial (turbine−synchronous speed)) by a calibrateable amount 
 
[( ntbart −( cur   —   sync   —   os−ntdelsyncstr ))]&gt;= NEUINTDET[TYPE 2 GEAR[trg   —   sftp   —   cur]− 1]]; 
 
 or an event timer exceeds an element release watchdog time 
 
[ trg   —   evnt   —   tmr&gt;=trgelrwd   —   tm];  
 
 or the estimated off-going clutch pressure&lt;clutch stroke pressure, then control passes to the Ramp Engine Speed Mode. 
 
         [0061]     During the first execution loop of the Shift Start Mode, the following steps are executed. The event timer (trg_evnt_tmr) is initialize to zero. The element release watchdog time (trgelrwd_tm) is initialize to a calibration constant, which preferably is specific to the current gear shift trgelrwd-tm and is a function fn(gear,tot) stored in electronic memory. The function is indexed in memory by its arguments, the current gear and transmission oil temperature. Engine speed is controlled to the sum of a calibrateable offset plus a predicted current gear synchronous speed plus the difference between turbine speed and the current synchronous output shaft speed (turbine speed−cur_sync_os) at the start of the shift, ntdelsyncstr. The commanded engine speed is expressed as the following relation: 
 
[ trg   —   n   —   t =( cur   —   synpr   —   os+cur   —   sync   —   ofs+ntdelsyncstr],  
 
 wherein 
    cur_synpr_os=predicted current gear synchronous speed based on output shaft speed;     cur_sync_ofs=calibratable offset to synchronous speed; and     ntdelsyncsrt=turbine speed−cur_sync_os at the start of the shift.    
 
         [0066]     During execution of subsequent loops of the Shift Start Mode, the following steps are executed. Engine speed is controlled to the calibrateable offset plus the maximum of predicted turbine speed and (current gear synchronous speed+ntdelsyncstr). The increase in turbine speed is used as positive feedback to increase the requested engine speed according to the following relation: 
 
[ trg   —   n   —   t =max [( cur   —   synpr   —   os+netdelsyncstr ),  trg   —   ss   —   pred )+ cur   —   syn   —   ofs] 
 
 wherein, trg_ss_pred=predicted turbine speed. 
 
         [0068]     Engine speed can be controlled by manipulating any of various engine parameters including engine output torque, engine airflow, the throttle position of the engine, ignition timing, and engine air-fuel ratio.  
         [0069]     An alternative to the Start Shift Mode discussed above, a calculated engine impulse torque approach, is employed. Following the beginning of a synchronous downshift, several inquires are made to determine whether to pass control to the_Ramp Engine Speed Mode. If actual transmission turbine speed differs from calculated input speed by a calibrateable amount 
 
[ ntbart−nobart*rt   —   gr   —   prev|&gt;minslip];  
 
 or an impulse timer exceeds the impulse delay time 
 
[ tqea   —   imp   —   tmr&gt;tqea   —   imp   —   dl],  
 
 then control passes to Ramp Engine Speed Mode. 
 
         [0072]     The alternative Start Shift Mode Ramp strategy includes the following steps. Engine below turbine speed. The impulse timer (tqea_imp_tmr) is initialize to zero. Impulse time (tqea_imp_tm), and impulse delay (tqea_imp_dl) are initialize to shift specific calibration constants, tqea_imp_dl=FN(gr_cm, vsbart). Pressure to the off-going clutch is reduced during every loop along a ramp until it reaches a magnitude below the boost pressure value. Estimate off-going clutch pressure assuming a first order system. Finally the on-coming clutch pressure is set to stroke pressure, the relatively high pressure of short duration used to quickly take up clearances among the friction discs, spacer plates, backing plate and piston of the on-coming clutch and its hydraulic servo, without engaging the clutch.  
         [0073]     The control strategy of the Ramp Engine Speed Mode is to increase (or ramp) the engine speed request from its current magnitude to the next gear synchronous speed plus an offset, which is a calibrateable scalar or constant.  
         [0074]     Exit from the Ramp Engine Speed Mode to the Detect Coast/Brake Element Apply Mode if the commanded engine speed increase ramp is completed before the ratio change to the next gear begins, or if the current value of the engine speed request plus the ramp step is greater than the predicted next gear synchronous speed plus an offset. 
 
( trg   —   n   —   t +ramp step)&gt;=( exe   —   sync   —   os+exe   —   sync   —   ofs )]
 
         [0075]     Exit from the Ramp Engine Speed Mode to Turbine Follower Detect Coast/Brake Element Apply Mode if the ratio change has begun before the ramp has been completed, or if the turbine speed increases above engine speed, which generates a negative slip_act value. Slip is the difference between speed of the turbine shaft relative to speed of the engine shaft.  
         [0076]     Slip_act must be less than a calibrateable value, [slip_act &lt;=FN(gear)].  
         [0077]     During the first execution loop of the Ramp Engine Speed Mode, the following steps are executed. Set up the engine speed ramp by calculating the ramp start value from the following relation: 
 
[ramp start value=max(( cur   —   synpr   —   os+netdelsyncstr ),  trg   —   tss   —   pred )+ cur   —   syn   —   ofs],  
 
 wherein 
    cur_synpr_os=the predicted current gear synchronous speed based on output shaft speed.     ntdelsyncsrt=the turbine speed−cur_sync_os at the start of the shift     cur_Sync_os=the current gear synchronous speed based on output shaft speed.     trtss_pred=is the predicted turbine speed.     cur_sync_ofs=the offset to current gear synchronous speed.    
 
         [0084]     Calculate the final target value from [exe_sync_os+exe_sync_ofs] 
         [heading-0085]     wherein  
         [none]    
       
          exe_sync_os=executing (next) gear synchronous speed based on output shaft speed.  
          exe_sync_ofs=offset to executing (next) gear synchronous speed.  
       
     
         [0088]     Then look-up the gear-dependent calibrateable ramp time. Calculate the ramp rate from (final target value−start value)/ramp time, and calculate the engine speed request value from 
 
[ trg   —   n   —   t =(ramp start value+ramp step)]
 
         [0089]     During the execution of subsequent loops of the Ramp Engine Speed Mode, the following steps are executed. Since it is possible for the output shaft speed to change during the ramp, recalculate the final target engine speed request value from the following relationship: 
 
[ trg   —   rmp   —   tarv=exe   —   synpr   —   os+exe   —   syn   —   ofs] 
 
 wherein 
    exe_synpr_os=executing gear (final gear) predicted synchronous speed.     exe_syn_ofs=executing gear (final gear) synchronous speed offset.    
 
         [0093]     Two likely events will occur: Either the ramp value will exceed the predicted target value during execution of the Ramp Engine Speed Mode, or the gear ratio change will occur and be completed while the engine speed is increasing and before the ramp is completed.  
         [0094]     An alternative to the Ramp Engine Speed Mode discussed above, a calculated engine impulse torque approach, can be employed. Several inquires are made first to determine whether to pass control to the_Shift End Mode. Exit from the Ramp Engine Speed Mode to Shift End Mode if engine speed is within a calibrateable target ratio reduction (tqeatargrd) limit, where tqeatargrd is the engine speed target ratio reduction 
 
[ nebart &gt;( tqeatargrd*engine   —   speed   —   des )], 
 
 or transmission ratio approaches next gear 
 
[ pcsftcmpt &gt;target percent shift complete ( pcsftpnse ), 
 
 wherein 
    pcsftcmpt is the percent shift complete, and     pcsftpnse is the target ratio in percentage to indicate completion of shift;     or Turbine speed&gt;engine speed &amp; rising faster than engine speed &amp; transmission ratio approaches next gear 
 
[ntbart&gt;nebart &amp; ndtbart&gt;ndebart &amp; pcsftcmpt&gt;pcsftpnesc]
 
 wherein 
    ntbart is the transmission turbine speed, RPM     ndtbart=time integral of turbine speed, RPM-s     ndebart=time derivative of engine speed, RPM/s     pcsftcmpt=percent shift complete, and     pcsftpnesc=target ratio in percentage to exit engine speed control mode    
 
         [0106]     During the first execution loop of the alternative Ramp Engine Speed Mode strategy, the following steps are executed. Capture the current engine speed engine_speed_strt), which is the engine speed at the start of the torque impulse.  
         [0107]     During the execution of subsequent loops of the alternative Ramp Engine Speed Mode strategy, the following steps are executed. Calculate the desired engine speed. Since the vehicle speed is most likely not constant due to the coasting condition with possible wheel braking, closed loop control is performed on desired engine speed. This offers better performance against overshooting the desired engine speed. Calculate impulse time remaining (imp_tmr) from the following relation: 
 
 imp   —   tmr=tqea   —   imp   —   tm+tqea   —   imp   —   dl−tqea   —   imp   —   tmr,  
 
 wherein 
    imp_mr=impulse time remaining     tqea_imp_tm=total impulse time     tqea_imp dl=impulse delay from start of shift     tqea_imp_tmr=elapsed impulse time    
 
         [0113]     Then calculate the predicted output shaft speed from the following: 
 
 nopred=nobart+ndobart*imp   —   tmr,  
 
 wherein 
    nopred=predicted output shaft speed at end of impulse (RPM)     nobart=transmission output shaft speed (RPM)     ndobart=time derivative of output shaft speed (RPM/s)     imp_mr=impulse time remaining), and     the maximum value for ndobart is zero.    
 
         [0120]     Calculate desired engine speed from the relation: 
 
 Engine   —   speed   —   des=nopred*rt   —   gr   —   nxt,  
 
 wherein 
    nopred=predicted output shaft speed at end of impulse (RPM), and     rt_gr_nxt=next gear ratio.    
 
         [0124]     Determine impulse torque by applying the conservation of momentum equation to the engine boundary using average friction terms throughout the integral. The boundary consists of engine net impulse torque (tqea_imp_add), engine friction torque (fric_tq), and accessory load torque (accId_tq) required to achieve the desired change in engine speed (mntm_tq).  
         [0125]     Calculate engine friction torque as follows: 
 
 fric   —   tq =( fnfric   —   tq ( engine   —   speed   —   strt, ect )+ fnfric   —   tq ( engine   —   speed   —   des, etc )/2, 
 
 wherein 
    fnfric_tq=engine friction torque function     engine_speed_strt=engine speed at the start of the torque impulse     ect=engine coolant temperature, and     engine_speed_des=desired engine speed at the end of the torque impulse.    
 
         [0131]     Calculate average accessory load torque as follows: 
 
 accId   —   tq =( fnaccId   —   tq ( engine   —   speed   —   strt )+ fnaccId   —   tq ( engine   —   speed   —   des )/2 
 
         [0132]     Calculate delta engine speed momentum torque as follows: 
 
 mntm   —   tq=i   —   eng *( engine   —   speed   —   des−engine   —   speed strt )/ tqea   —   imp   —   tm,  
 
 wherein 
    mntm_tq=momentum torque to change engine speed     i_eng=engine rotating inertia (includes inertia attached to crank shaft), and     tqea_imp_tm=total impulse time.    
 
         [0137]     Calculate impulse torque profile to add to base torque: 
 
 tqea   —   imp   —   add =( fric   —   tq+accId   —   tq+mntm   —   tq )* fnimpkp ( rt   —   targrd ), 
 
 wherein 
    tqea_imp_add=impulse torque to add to base torque, and     rt_targrd=(current engine speed−engine_speed_strt)/(engine_speed_des−    engine_speed_strt)    
 
         [0142]     This impulse torque is added every loop to the coasting level of engine torque.  
         [0143]     The control strategy of the Detect Coast/Brake Element Apply Mode is to control engine speed to the synchronous speed corresponding to the next gear ratio and look for the gear ratio change to be completed.  
         [0144]     Exit from the Detect Coast/Brake Element Apply Mode to a not shifting mode when the turbine speed is within a calibrateable threshold of the new gear synchronous speed over a calibrateable interval of time, i.e., when the ratio change complete timer (trgrtcmp_tmr)&gt;FN(gear)  
         [0145]     During the first execution loop of the Detect Coast/Brake Element Apply Mode, the following steps are executed: initialize the ratio change complete timer to zero; calculate engine speed request value; and look for the current gear ratio change to be completed.  
         [0146]     Calculate engine speed request value from the following: 
 
[ trg   —   n   —   t=exe   —   sync   —   os+exe   —   sync   —   ofs],  
 
 wherein 
    exe_sync_os=the executing or next gear synchronous speed based on output shaft speed,     exe_sync_ofs=an offset to the executing gear synchronous speed.    
 
         [0150]     Clear the ratio change complete timer if the turbine speed is not within a calibrateable threshold of the new gear synchronous speed. Preferably, when the turbine speed is not within the calibrateable threshold of the new gear synchronous speed during consecutive execution loops of the Detect Coast/Brake Element Apply Mode, then the ratio change complete timer is cleared. Otherwise, the timer remains uncleared. These relations are expressed [abs(ntbart−exe_sync_os)&gt;FN(gear), wherein ntbart=transmission turbine speed (RPM).  
         [0151]     During the execution of subsequent loops of the Detect Coast/Brake Element Apply Mode, the following steps are executed: increment the ratio change complete timer; calculate engine speed request value; and look for ratio change to be completed.  
         [0152]     The control strategy of the Turbine Follower Detect Coast/Brake Element Apply Mode is to control engine speed so that it follows the turbine speed increase and look for the ratio change to be completed.  
         [0153]     Exit from the Turbine Follower Detect Coast/Brake Element Apply Mode to a not shifting mode when turbine speed is within a calibrateable threshold of the new gear synchronous speed over a calibrateable interval. Preferably, when the turbine speed is within the calibrateable threshold of the new gear synchronous speed during five consecutive execution loops of the Turbine Follower Detect Coast/Brake Element Apply Mode, then the ratio change complete timer is cleared. Otherwise, the timer remains uncleared. A ratio change complete timer (trgrtcmptmr) is continually monitored to determine when the following relation is satisfied: (trgrtcmp_tmr)&gt;FN(gear).  
         [0154]     During the first execution loop of the Turbine Follower Detect Coast/Brake Element Apply Mode, the following steps are executed: initialize the ratio change complete timer to zero; calculate engine speed request value; and look for the ratio change to be completed.  
         [0155]     Calculate engine speed request value to lag the predicted turbine speed increase by a calibrateable amount. To prevent overshooting the next gear synchronous speed, set the engine speed request value to the minimum of the predicted turbine speed increase plus an offset, and the next gear synchronous speed plus an offset. 
 
 Trg   —   n   —   t =min [( trg   —   tss   —   pred+trg   —   tss   —   pred   —   ofs ), (exe —   sync   —   os+exe   —   sync   —   ofs )], 
 
 wherein 
    trg_tss_pred=predicted turbine speed     trg_tss_pred_ofs=offset to predicted turbine speed FN[gear]    exe_sync_os=executing (next) gear synchronous speed based on output shaft speed, and     exe_sync_ofs=offset to executing (next) gear synchronous speed.    
 
         [0161]     Clear the ratio change complete timer if the turbine speed is not within a calibrateable threshold of the new gear synchronous speed [abs(ntbart−exe_sync_os)&gt;FN(gear)].  
         [0162]     During the execution of subsequent loops of the Turbine Follower Detect Coast/Brake Element Apply Mode, the following steps are executed: increment the ratio change complete timer; calculate engine speed request value and look for ratio change to complete; and execute the same algorithm as for the first loop of the Turbine Follower Detect Coast/Brake Element Apply Mode.  
         [0163]     Exit to not shifting mode when the transmission gear ratio has reached the target ratio, i.e., [pcsftcmpt&gt;pcsftpnse], wherein 
    pcsftcmpt=percent shift complete     pcsftpnse=target ratio in percentage to indicate completion of shift, and minimum time in the shift end mode is expired, or the maximum allowed time in the shift end mode is expired.    
 
         [0166]     Control Strategy is to modulate engine torque by retarding spark.  
         [0167]     Percent torque reduction=tr_μm_mod=fn(nebart), wherein tr_μm_mod=percent engine torque reduction. Retard the spark for a time=fn(nebart). Ramp impulse torque down to zero over time=fn(nebart). Ramp friction element pressure until it reaches line pressure. The ramp could be a parabolic ramp.  
         [0168]     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.