A method and apparatus for determining likelihood of rollover of a vehicle
and/or mitigating rollover of the vehicle is responsive to measured
vehicle lateral acceleration and a measured one of vehicle roll rate and
vehicle suspension displacements to derive estimates of roll angle and
roll rate. First, preliminary, estimates of roll angle and roll rate are
derived and used as pseudo-measurements in a dynamic, closed loop
observer equation which represents a model of the vehicle in a first roll
mode for roll angles small compared to a reference value indicating two
wheel lift-off and a second roll mode for roll angles at least near a
reference value indicating two wheel lift-off. The observer equation has
parameters and gains with values for each mode stored as a function of
roll angle index derived from measurements and pseudo-measured values.
The observer equation produces second, improved values or roll angle and
roll rate together indicating the likelihood of vehicle rollover.
Rollover mitigating controls for brakes, active front steer, and/or
active rear steer are also disclosed.