A vehicle rollover sensing apparatus and method are provided for
predicting a future roll angle and an overturn condition of a vehicle.
The apparatus includes an angular accelerometer for sensing angular
acceleration of the vehicle and producing an output signal indicative
thereof. A first integrator integrates the sensed angular acceleration
signal and produces an angular rate. A second integrator integrates the
angular rate and generates a current roll angle. A predictor predicts a
future roll angle as a function of the sensed angular acceleration,
angular rate, and current roll angle. A comparator compares the predicted
future roll angle to a threshold value. The apparatus generates a vehicle
overturn condition signal based on said comparison, and signals
deployment of restraint devices.