Abstract:
A method for transmitting measured data from a sensor device to a control device is disclosed. The method is distinguished in that synchronization messages sent by the control device can be received in the sensor device and, on the basis of the reception of synchronization messages, the sensor device is put into a synchronous mode (SM) in which the sensor device sends data messages comprising the measured data to the control device in sync with the reception of the synchronization messages. 
     A sensor device is also disclosed which is suitable for carrying out the foregoing method.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the U.S. national phase application of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2007/055918, filed Jun. 14, 2007, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 102006027997.2, filed Jun. 14, 2006 and German Patent Application No. DE 102007028002.7, filed Jun. 14, 2007, the contents of such applications being incorporated by reference herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The invention relates to a method for transmitting measured data from a sensor device to a control device. The invention also relates to a sensor device which is suitable for carrying out the method. In particular, the invention relates to a sensor device and a control device which are used in a motor vehicle and are connected to one another by means of a data bus. 
     2. Background to the Invention 
     Control and regulation functions in motor vehicles are usually performed in control devices which obtain the requisite measured data from one or more sensor devices which are arranged in local isolation from the control device in the motor vehicle. In this arrangement, the measured data are usually transmitted via a data bus, such as the CAN (Controller Area Network) bus which is usually used in motor vehicles. 
     To perform the control and regulation functions, appropriate algorithms are executed in the control devices, said algorithms being looped. Particularly if the control and regulation functions are safety-critical realtime applications, such as driving dynamics controllers or adaptive speed controllers (ACC for Adaptive Cruise Control), it is necessary for the measured data to be supplied to the control devices such that the measured data available at the start of a loop are as up to date as possible, i.e. that there is the shortest possible time delay between measurement and read-in of the measured data in the control device, which is subsequently called latency. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to transmit the measured data from a sensor device to a control device via a data bus with as little latency as possible. 
     Accordingly, the invention provides for a method for transmitting measured data from a sensor device to a control device to be carried out such that synchronization messages sent by the control device can be received in the sensor device and, on the basis of the reception of synchronization messages, the sensor device is put into a synchronous mode in which the sensor device sends data messages comprising the measured data to the control device in sync with the reception of the synchronization messages. 
     In addition, a sensor device is provided which comprises at least one sensor whose measured data are transmitted to a control device. The sensor device is distinguished in that the sensor device is designed to receive synchronous messages sent by the control device, wherein, on the basis of the reception of synchronization messages, the sensor device can be put into a synchronous mode in which it sends data messages comprising the measured data to the control device in sync with the reception of the synchronization messages. 
     The sensor device and the control device, which sends the synchronization messages to the sensor device, together preferably form a system which can be used to perform a control and/or regulation function in a motor vehicle. Preferably, the sensor device and the control device are arranged in a motor vehicle in this case. 
     The invention encompasses the idea that the control device and the sensor device are synchronized to one another using synchronization messages which are sent by the control device. The data messages sent in sync with the reception of the synchronization messages are sent at a fixed interval of time from the reception of the synchronization messages. In particular, a data message can be sent essentially immediately after the reception of a synchronization message. 
     The synchronization messages can be sent from the control device, for example taking account of the transmission times of the data bus, to the sensor device such that the data messages sent in response to the synchronization messages are received in the control device before the start of a loop. 
     It is known that delays can occur when transmitting data via a data bus, particularly when transmitting data via the serial CAN bus. This may be the case particularly when there is a high volume of data or a multiplicity of stations need to send data. In this case, there may also be delays in the transmission of the synchronization messages, which means that synchronization of sensor device and control device is sometimes not possible. 
     Therefore, one embodiment of the method and the sensor device provides for a check to be performed to determine when, particularly at what intervals of time, synchronization messages sent by the control device are received in the sensor device, and for the sensor device to be put into the synchronous mode if the result of the check is that synchronization messages sent by the control device are received in line with a first time pattern. 
     The advantage of this embodiment is that the data messages are transmitted in the synchronous mode only if the synchronization messages are received in line with a prescribed first time pattern. The time pattern is preferably used to recognize that at most short delays occur in the transmission of the synchronization messages, so that it is possible and makes sense to synchronize sensor device and control device using the synchronization messages. 
     One refinement of the method and the sensor device is also distinguished in that the first time pattern comprises a minimum number of successive synchronization messages which are received at intervals of time which are respectively within a prescribed first range. 
     It has been found that such a time pattern can be used to reliably establish that at most short delays occur in the transmission of the synchronization messages and it is possible to perform synchronization between the sensor device and the control device using the synchronization messages. 
     In addition, one embodiment of the method and of the sensor device provides for the sensor device to be put into an asynchronous mode if the result of the check is that the synchronization messages are not received in the sensor device in line with the first time pattern, wherein in the asynchronous mode the sensor device sends data messages comprising the measured data to the control device at a prescribed frequency. 
     To be able to transmit measured data to the control device even when synchronization is not possible, this embodiment advantageously provides an asynchronous mode for the transmission of the measured data. The fact that synchronization is not possible is established in this case if the first time pattern is not observed. In the asynchronous mode, the data messages are advantageously transmitted to the control device at a prescribed frequency, i.e. independently of the reception of synchronization messages. 
     In this case, the term frequency is understood to mean the frequency with which data messages are sent by the sensor device in a particular interval of time, i.e. the repetition rate at which the data messages are sent by the sensor device. 
     Furthermore, one development of the method and of the sensor device involves the sensor device being put into a first asynchronous mode if the result of the check is that the synchronization messages sent by the control device are received in the sensor device in line with a second time pattern, wherein in the first asynchronous mode data messages comprising the measured data are sent to the control device at a first frequency. 
     An associated embodiment of the method and of the sensor device is characterized in that the second time pattern comprises a minimum number of successive synchronization messages which are received at intervals of time which are respectively within a prescribed second range, the second range comprising shorter intervals of time than the first range. 
     Advantageously, the first asynchronous mode is activated, in this refinement, when the synchronization messages are received at relatively short intervals of time. With short intervals of time between the synchronization messages, it can be assumed that the volume of data within the data bus is low, which means that the first frequency can be chosen at an appropriate level without overloading the data bus. The second range may, in particular, comprise all intervals of time which are below the lower limit of the first range. 
     In addition, one refinement of the method and of the sensor device is distinguished in that the sensor device is put into a second asynchronous mode if the result of the check is that the synchronization messages are not received in the sensor device in line with a prescribed time pattern, wherein in the second asynchronous mode data messages comprising the measured data are sent to the control device at a second frequency. 
     In this refinement, the second asynchronous mode is advantageously activated when the synchronization messages are not received in the sensor device in line with a prescribed time pattern, particularly not in line with the first or second prescribed pattern. Advantageously, the data messages are in this case transmitted to the control device periodically at a second frequency. The second frequency is preferably lower than the first frequency, since it can be assumed that there are delays in the transmission of the synchronization messages if they do not observe any of the prescribed time patterns. Such delays can occur when there is a high volume of data, which means that a lower frequency is chosen so as not to overload the data bus. 
     In addition, one refinement of the method and of the sensor device provides for a time window to be prescribed for the check to determine when, particularly at what intervals of time, the synchronization messages sent by the control device are received in the sensor device. 
     The advantage of this refinement is particularly that the second asynchronous mode is not activated until it is not established within the time window that the synchronization messages are received in line with the prescribed time pattern. 
     An associated refinement of the method and of the sensor device is characterized in that whenever a synchronization message is received in the sensor device the time window is reinitialized if the sensor device is in the synchronous mode or asynchronous mode. 
     Preferably, individual modes remain active until the conditions for activation of another mode are met. In this connection, the previously mentioned refinement ensures that a mode, particularly the synchronous mode, remains activated even if the prescribed time pattern is breached only briefly—within the time window. This makes particularly the synchronous mode resilient toward brief deviations from the first time pattern. This also applies in similar fashion to the first asynchronous mode. 
     In addition, one embodiment of the method and of the sensor device is distinguished in that the check to determine when, particularly at what intervals of time, synchronization messages sent by the control device are received in the sensor device is effected using a timestamp measurement method. 
     A timestamp measurement method can be used to ascertain particularly reliably at what intervals of time the synchronization messages are received in the sensor device. 
     In another refinement of the method and of the sensor device, the sensor device and the control device are connected to one another by means of a data bus. 
     The data bus is, in particular, a data bus in a motor vehicle, for example a CAN bus. 
     The invention and its embodiments allow resilient synchronization between a sensor device and a control device, which is particularly advantageous especially for safety-critical realtime applications executed in the control unit. One such safety-critical realtime application is particularly driving dynamics control, in which measured driving state data, such as linear accelerations by the vehicle or rotation rates for one or more of the vehicle&#39;s axles, are evaluated in order to recognize critical driving states and to stabilize the vehicle by means of control and/or regulation action. 
     In this context, another embodiment of the method and of the sensor device provides for the sensor device to be a sensor cluster in a motor vehicle which has at least one longitudinal acceleration sensor, particularly a lateral acceleration sensor, and/or at least one rotation rate sensor, particularly a yaw rate sensor. 
     In a sensor cluster, the sensors which are used to measure the linear accelerations and rotation rates of a vehicle are usually integrated in a housing. Normally, the sensor cluster also contains a processor unit which performs first conditioning of the measured data and produces the data messages which are to be sent to the control device. The sensor cluster is mounted directly in the vehicle, and its design ensures that the sensor modules are accommodated with vibration damping and ensures optimum shielding even from strong electromagnetic fields. To implement driving dynamics control, the sensor cluster usually comprises at least one lateral acceleration sensor and a yaw rate sensor and also preferably a longitudinal acceleration sensor too. 
     Another embodiment of the method and of the sensor device is characterized in that the control device is a control device in a motor vehicle for performing driving dynamics control. 
     In addition, a computer program product is provided which comprises software code sections which can be used to carry out a method in accordance with one of the preceding steps when the software code sections are executed on a processor. 
     The stated and other advantages, peculiarities and expedient refinements of the inventions can also be found in the exemplary embodiments of the invention which are described below with reference to the figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. Included in the drawing are the following figures: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic illustration with a sensor device which is connected to a control device by means of a data bus, 
         FIG. 2  shows a graph illustrating data transmission in a synchronous mode by way of example, 
         FIG. 3  shows a graph illustrating a first example with data transmission in a second asynchronous mode, 
         FIG. 4  shows a graph illustrating a second example with data transmission in the second asynchronous mode, 
         FIG. 5  shows a graph illustrating a third example with data transmission in the second asynchronous mode, and 
         FIG. 6  shows a graph illustrating data transmission in a first asynchronous mode by way of example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic illustration of a control device (ECU)  102  in a motor vehicle, said control device being connected to a sensor device  106  in the motor vehicle by means of a data bus  104 . In one embodiment, the data bus  104  is a CAN bus, which is fundamentally known to a person skilled in the art. The control device  102  has a processor unit  108  for performing a control and/or regulation algorithm, said processor unit being provided in a software program, for example. The control or regulation algorithm produces control commands for actuating at least one actuator  110  which takes action in the operating state of the motor vehicle. In the refinement shown by way of example in  FIG. 1 , the control device  102  is connected directly to the actuator  110  by means of a data line which is used to transmit the control signals to the actuator  110 . However, provision may likewise be made for the control unit to be connected to the actuator  110  by means of the data bus  104 . In addition, provision may also be made for the control device  102  to be connected by means of the data bus  104  and/or by means of data lines to a plurality of actuators which are used for providing the functions of the software program. 
     In one embodiment, the sensor device  106  comprises at least one sensor  112  for detecting a driving state variable or an operating variable for the motor vehicle. However, provision may likewise also be made for the sensor device  106  to comprise a surroundings sensor, for example, for detecting objects in the surroundings of the vehicle. The measured data captured by the sensor  112  are read in by a processor unit  114  and conditioned before they are sent to the control device  102 . The measured data are transmitted using messages which are sent to the control device  102  via the data bus  104  in a manner which is known to a person skilled in the art. The messages are likewise generated by the processor unit  114  in the sensor device  106 . 
     The control device  102  processes the measured data cyclically within the executed control and/or regulation algorithm. The duration of a computation cycle is subsequently also called the loop time and is usually approximately 10 ms in the case of driving dynamics control, for example. Likewise, computation cycles can also be interrupted, for example if conditions for entry into control and/or regulation are not met, which means that the actual control and/or regulation algorithm does not need to be executed but rather only the portion of the algorithm in which a check is performed to determine whether entry into the control and/or regulation is required. The interruption in the computation cycles effectively corresponds to a reduction in the loop time. To supply the measured data to the control and/or regulation algorithm with as little latency as possible, attempts are made to synchronize the transmission of the measured data from the sensor device  106  to the control device  102  with the computation cycles of the algorithm. Synchronization is particularly important in this case when the actual control and/or regulation is active, i.e. when control and/or regulation actions are performed by means of the actuator  110 . To allow synchronization, the control device  102  sends synchronization messages via the data bus  104  to the sensor device  106 , and these are answered with data messages containing measured data in the event of correct reception by the sensor device  106 . In this case, the times at which the synchronization messages are sent by the control device  102  are chosen, taking account of the transmission times in the data bus  104 , such that the data messages sent by the sensor device  106  are respectively received before the start of a computation cycle in the control device  102 . The effect achieved by this is that the processed measured data are as up to date as possible. 
     For the purpose of sending the data messages containing the measured data, the sensor device  106  has three modes of operation which are subsequently also called directives. The directives are selected by evaluating the chronological order in which the synchronization messages are received. This evaluation is performed continuously while the sensor device  106  is operating, so that it is also possible to change between the directives during operation. To determine the intervals of time between the reception of the synchronization messages, the synchronization messages are processed within the sensor device  106  by the processor unit  114  using a timestamp measurement method. 
     Directive  1  is initialized when a prescribed minimum number of successive synchronization messages is received whose intervals of time are within a prescribed first range. In this case, the minimum number prescribed is between three and six, preferably four, synchronization messages, for example, and the first range comprises intervals of time between 2 ms and 30 ms, preferably between 4 ms and 25 ms, for example. Hence, directive  1  is preferably initialized upon reception of the fourth synchronization message, provided that the intervals of time between the synchronization messages are between 4 ms and 25 ms. Directive  1  contains the sensor device  106  in a synchronous mode of operation and responds synchronously to the synchronization messages  208  from the control device  102 . In this case, the data messages are sent essentially immediately after reception of the synchronization messages, a short time delay arising as a result of the processing time of the sensor device  106  or of the processor unit  114 . 
     If a minimum number of successive synchronization messages and the intervals of time between these synchronization messages are below the lower limit of the first range, directive  3  is initialized. In this case, the minimum number preferably corresponds to the minimum number of synchronization messages which is prescribed in connection with directive  1 . Hence, directive  3  is initialized when the fourth synchronization message has been received and the intervals of time between the synchronization messages are shorter than 4 ms. In directive  3 , the data messages are transmitted to the control device  102  in an asynchronous mode. In particular, provision is made for the data messages to be sent to the control device  102  at a fixed frequency. By way of example, the fixed frequency is between ⅓ ms −1  and ⅛ ms −1 , preferably ⅕ ms −1 . 
     If neither directive  1  nor directive  3  can be initialized within a time window of a prescribed duration, directive  2  is initialized. By way of example, the prescribed duration is between 80 ms and 200 ms, preferably 120 ms. In directive  2 , the sensor device  106  is in an asynchronous mode of operation (AM) and sends data messages to the control device  102  at a prescribed frequency 1/T_D 2 . By way of example, the frequency 1/T_D 2  is between 1/10 ms −1  and 1/30 ms −1 , preferably 1/20 ms −1 . The time window is preferably initialized for the first time after the vehicle&#39;s ignition has been turned on and the data bus  104  has been fully initialized. While the sensor device  106  is being operated in directive  2 , the time window is reinitialized after the prescribed duration has elapsed. If directive  1  or directive  3  is initialized, the time window is reinitialized whenever a synchronization message arrives. 
     When a directive has been initialized, there is a change to another directive when the conditions for initialization thereof are met. Since the time window for the directives is reinitialized whenever a synchronization message arrives, the directives continue to be initialized even when no synchronization messages are received in the sensor device  106 , or synchronization messages are not received correctly, within the time window. If, for example, the synchronization messages are received at intervals of time of 10 ms when directive  1  is initialized, and the time window of 120 ms is prescribed, then directive  1  continues to be initialized even when up to 11 synchronization messages are omitted. This makes the communication between the sensor device  106  and the control device  102  resilient toward errors in the transmission of the synchronization messages. 
     The previously stated conditions for the initialization of directive  2  may arise, by way of example, when the transmission times for the synchronization messages vary on account of a high volume of data within the data bus  104 , which is also called Jitter. Accordingly, the frequency at which data messages are sent to the control device  102  in directive  2  is proportioned such that it is firstly sufficiently high to provide measured data which are sufficiently up to date, and secondly the volume of data on the data bus  104  is not increased too greatly. The conditions for initialization of directive  3  can arise when previous delays in the data transmission mean that successive synchronization messages are initially “piled up” and are then received in the sensor device  106  in very quick succession or when the computation cycles in the control device  102  are terminated, as described previously, so that effectively a shorter loop time is obtained. In such situations, it is expedient to send the data messages to the control device  102  at a relatively high frequency, since the high reception rate means that a low volume of data in the data bus  104  can be assumed and a frequency of the data messages can ensure that even without synchronization between the sensor device  106  and the control device  102  there are always sufficiently up-to-date measured data at the start of a computation cycle in the control device  102 . Synchronization between the sensor device  106  and the control device  102  is not absolutely necessary when the loop time is shortened considerably, and it is not performed, particularly so as not to overload the data bus  104  with a very large number of data messages which are sent at a very high frequency. 
     To signal whether the data transmission is taking place in the synchronous mode, i.e. in directive  1 , or in an asynchronous mode, i.e. in directive  2  or  3 , the sensor device  106  generates a transmission status which assumes the value zero for synchronous data transmission and assumes a value other than zero for asynchronous data transmission. The transmission status is transmitted to the control device  102  via the data bus  104  within the data messages or separately therefrom. Depending on the status, it is then possible for processes, for example, to be customized in the control device  102  when asynchronous data transmission is taking place. This means that a control and/or regulation algorithm executed in the control device  102  can be customized such that incorrect actuation of the actuator  110  is avoided, which may be caused by impairments in the transmission of the measured data. 
     The data transmission in the directives described is illustrated using a few schematic examples in  FIGS. 2 to 7  with the aid of graphs. The graphs contain a time axis  202 , which illustrates the reception of synchronization messages  212  in the sensor device  106 , and a time axis  204 , which illustrates the sending of data messages  214  by the sensor device  106 . A further time axis  206  illustrates the time window  216 , which is initialized after the start of ignition and the initialization of the data bus  104  at the time t=0. In addition, the graphs contain a time axis  208 , which is used to illustrate whether the data transmission is taking place in the synchronous mode (SM) or in an asynchronous mode (AM), and also a time axis  210 , which indicates the value of the transmission status error signal  218  which is output by the sensor device  106 . 
     It is subsequently assumed that the prescribed first range comprises intervals of time between 4 ms and 25 ms, and the minimum number of synchronization messages is four. 
       FIG. 2  shows a situation in which the synchronization messages  212  are received in the sensor device  106  at intervals of time of 10 ms. With a loop time of 10 ms, this is the case, by way of example, when the synchronization messages  212  can be transmitted via the data bus  104  without Jitter effects. The intervals of time of 10 ms are in the prescribed first range. Hence, when the fourth synchronization message  212  is received, directive  1  is initialized and the sensor device  106  responds to the synchronization messages  212 , starting with the fourth synchronization message  212 , in sync with the transmission of data messages  214 . As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , in this case the sensor device  106  sends a data message  214  to the control device  102  essentially immediately after the reception of a synchronization message  212 . 
     In addition,  FIG. 2  shows, by way of example, two synchronization messages  220  which are not received in the sensor device  106  correctly. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the sensor device  106  remains in the synchronous mode even if the synchronization messages  220  are omitted, which means that it responds to the next correctly received synchronization message  212  in sync with a data message yet again. 
     Examples of data transmission in directive  2  are given in  FIGS. 3 to 5  and are explained below. 
       FIG. 3  relates to a situation in which, following the ignition restart and the initialization of the data bus  104 , no synchronization messages  212  are received in the sensor device  106 . Therefore, at the end of the time window  216  initialized at the start of ignition, directive  2  is initialized and data messages  214  are sent to the control device  102  at a fixed interval of time T_D 2  in the asynchronous mode (AM). This ensures that measured data are present in the control device  102  even if the transmission of synchronization messages  212  fails. The status  218  illustrated by means of the time axis  210  has a value other than zero while directive  2  is initialized, in order to signal to the control device  102  that the synchronization error is present. 
     In the situation shown, synchronization takes place at a later time, after the sensor device  106  has received four synchronization messages  212  at a fixed interval of time of 10 ms. When the fourth synchronization message  212  is received, directive  1  is therefore initialized, and the data transmission takes place in the synchronous mode (SM). The transmission status  218  then assumes the value zero. 
     In the situation shown in  FIG. 4 , the synchronization messages  212  from the control device  102  are received in the sensor device  106  at irregular intervals of time and do not have a time pattern in which the intervals of time between a minimum number of successive synchronization messages are in the range provided for the initialization of directive  1  or in the range provided for the initialization of directive  3 , so that directives  1  and  3  cannot be initialized within the time window  216  shown. In this case, at the end of the time window  216  shown, which is initialized at the start of ignition, directive  2  is initialized and data messages  214  are sent to the control device  102  at fixed intervals of time T_D 2  in an asynchronous mode (AM). This ensures that message data are in the control device  102  even if the transmission of synchronization messages  212  fails. The error signal  218  illustrated by means of the time axis  210  has a value other than zero in order to signal to the control device  102  that the synchronization error is present. 
       FIG. 5  shows a situation in which synchronization messages  212  are received in the sensor device  106  at regular intervals of time of 26 ms. However, this interval of time is above the upper limit of the prescribed first range, which in this case is 25 ms, for example. Therefore, at the end of the time window  216  shown, which is initialized at the ignition restart, directive  2  is initialized and the data transmission takes place in an asynchronous mode (AM), wherein the data messages  214  are transmitted to the control device  102  at fixed intervals of time T_D 2 . In this case, the transmission status  218  assumes a value other than zero in order to signal the synchronization error. 
       FIG. 6  relates to a situation in which the synchronization messages  212  are received in the sensor device  106  at intervals of time of 3 ms. This interval of time is below the lower limit of the prescribed first range, which means that directive  3  is initialized when the fourth synchronization message  212  is received. Hence, the data transmission takes place in an asynchronous mode (AM), wherein the data messages  214  are sent from the sensor device  106  to the control device  102  at fixed intervals of time T_D 3 . In this case, the transmission status  218  likewise assumes a value other than zero in order to signal to the control device  102  that the synchronization error is present. 
     The synchronization concept proposed as part of the invention and explained by way of example above is particularly suitable when the control device  102  is executing safety-critical realtime applications which involve the use of measured data captured by means of the sensor device  106 . An example of one such safety-critical realtime application is driving dynamics control, particularly ESP (Electronic Stability Program) control, which is known per se to a person skilled in the art, which is an instance of application of the present invention. In this instance of application, the sensor device  106  is in the form of a sensor cluster, for example, which comprises sensors for detecting driving state variables. In this case, the sensor cluster accommodates at least one lateral acceleration sensor and a yaw rate sensor. Equally, the sensor cluster may also contain a longitudinal acceleration sensor and/or further rotation rate sensors and/or one or more rotation acceleration sensors. The control device  102  executes a control and/or regulation algorithm for performing the driving dynamics regulation by using the measured data transmitted by the sensor cluster in order to assess the current driving situation of the vehicle and to perform control and regulation actions to stabilize the vehicle in critical driving situations. In the case of such driving dynamics control, the actuators  110  used for performing the control and regulation actions are, by way of example, a brake actuator, which can be used to set individual braking forces on the wheels of the vehicle independently of the driver, and possibly a steering actuator, which can be used to set the steer angle of the steerable wheels of the vehicle independently of the driver. Furthermore, provision may be made for the control unit also to be used to actuate a drive motor in the vehicle in order to stabilize the driving state of the vehicle. 
     The application of the invention and of its embodiments is not limited to driving dynamics controllers in any way, however. Rather, the proposed synchronization concept can also be used for other applications, particularly for safety-critical realtime applications. Examples of other such applications are adaptive speed controllers, which customize the speed of the vehicle on the basis of a distance between the motor vehicle and objects in the surroundings of the motor vehicle, or safety systems known per se to a person skilled in the art which actuate active and/or passive safety means in the vehicle when there is the threat of a collision between the vehicle and an object in the surroundings of the vehicle. In both of the latter applications, sensor devices  106  are used which contain surroundings sensors for detecting objects in the surroundings of the vehicle and, using the proposed synchronization concept, can be synchronized with a control device  102  for performing the stated functions. 
     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be understood that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.