Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Left (SODL) /Right (SODR) [2014-2017]: Function: System

Courtesy of VOLVO CARS CORPORATION

The Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Left   (SODL) and Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Right   (SODR) are used to identify and measure the distance of objects (following vehicles). The Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Left (SODL) and Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Right (SODR) measure and identify objects that move in the same direction and that are in the detection range of the radar control modules.

When an object is detected, the Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Left (SODL) and Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Right (SODR) measure the object's speed, distance and angle to the object in relation to their own vehicle.

If the Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Left (SODL) or Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Right (SODR) detects something in the blind spot, or if a vehicle is quickly approaching from behind is deemed a potential threat, an orange LED illuminates, which is located on the inside of the panel at the front of the window on the respective door. The LEDs are directly connected to the Driver door module (DDM), respectively Passenger door module (PDM).

It is possible to engage/disengage the Lane Change Merge Aid (LCMA) and Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) functions via one of the buttons on the center console or via the menu on the front display screen. A signal is then sent via the Central Electronic Module (CEM) to the Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Left (SODL) as well as the Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Right (SODR) with a request to engage/disengage the selected function. This is done by disengaging the function to illuminate the LEDs and show text messages.

If a fault is detected by the Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Left (SODL) or Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Right (SODR), a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) is stored and a signal is transmitted via CAN to the Driver Information Module (DIM) (5/1), which turns on a general warning lamp and displays a text message.

For the Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Left (SODL) respectively Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Right (SODR) to work, the following signals are required:

• Information is received from the Central Electronic Module (CEM) (4/56) about the key position and vehicle speed.
• Information is received about steering wheel angle from the Steering wheel angle sensor module (SAS) (4/68), via the Central Electronic Module (CEM).
• Information about whether the LCMA function and/or CTA is engaged or disengaged is received from the Climate Control Module (CCM) (4/6), via the Central Electronic Module (CEM).
• Information about whether the driver has switched off the PAS function is received from the Parking Assist Module (PAM) (4/86), via the Central Electronic Module (CEM). If PAS has been switched off, the CTA switches off automatically.
• Information about whether a trailer if connected or not is received from the Trailer Module (TRM) (4/110), via the Central Electronic Module (CEM). If the electrical socket for trailer is used, the LCMA and CTA functions switch off automatically.
• Information about which gear is engaged (only applies to vehicles with automatic transmissions) is received from the transmission control module (TCM) (4/28), via the Central Electronic Module (CEM).
• Information about which gear is engaged (only applies to vehicles with manual gearboxes) is received from the Engine Control Module (ECM) (4/46), via the Central Electronic Module (CEM).
• Information is received about the yaw rate from the brake control module (BCM) (4/16), via the Central Electronic Module (CEM).
• Information is received about the yaw rate from the Supplemental restraint system module (SRS) (4/9), via the Central Electronic Module (CEM).

The Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Left (SODL) respectively Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Right (SODR) transmit information about the following signals:

• Information to light the two LEDs that are located on the panel at the front on the inside of the respective window is sent to the driver door module (DDM) (3/126) and passenger door module (PDM) (3/127), via the Central Electronic Module (CEM).
• Information about the request for the display of graphics and request for activation of the audible warning is sent to the Infotainment Head Unit (IHU) (4/185) or Infotainment Control Module (ICM) (3/281), via the Central Electronic Module (CEM).
• Information to light the general warning lamp and show text messages is sent to the Driver Information Module (DIM) (5/1), via the Central Electronic Module (CEM).

Lane Change Merge Aid (LCMA) 

Lane Change Merge Aid (LCMA) is a function that is enabled by the Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Left (SODL) and Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Right (SODR) and that has the task of informing the driver about:

• vehicles approaching quickly from behind in the left or right lane closest to the actual vehicle.
• vehicles in close proximity to the actual vehicle (blind spot).

Courtesy of VOLVO CARS CORPORATION

The image above shows the detection area of Lane Change Merge Aid (LCMA).

1. A:  approx. 70 meters
2. B:  approx. 9.5 meters
3. C:  approx 3.5 meters

In order to be able to judge whether a vehicle that is approaching from the rear is a possible threat when the driver wants to change lane, the Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Left (SODL) and Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Right (SODR) continually scan an area that stretches about 70 meters behind the car and about 3.5 meters out from the car. As long as a car behind is in area D visual warning appears on the panel at the front on the inside of the respective window. For Lane Change Merge Aid (LCMA) the visual warning consists of the LED illuminating in the event of a threat hot. If the driver, when a vehicle behind is in are B, despite everything, chooses to use the indicators the fixed light in the LED switches to a flashing light.

The light intensity of the LED must, regardless of it being light or dark outside, always be bright enough that the driver can easily recognize the warning. The intensity is therefore adjusted automatically via the twilight sensor that is in the same shell as the alarm LED, which is located above the dashboard by the windshield.

The Lane Change Merge Aid function is always activated automatically at speeds above 10 km/h. The function can also be activated/deactivated via the BLIS button on the center console or via the menu on the front display screen.

Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) 

Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) is a function that is realized by the Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Left (SODL) and Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Right (SODR) and that has the task of informing the driver about:

• oncoming traffic (motor vehicles) from both sides of the car when reversing out of a concealed parking space.

Courtesy of VOLVO CARS CORPORATION

In order to judge whether a vehicle that is approaching from the side from behind is a possible threat when the driver is reversing put of a concealed parking space, the Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Left (SODL) and Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Right (SODR) continually scan a predetermined area. If a vehicle is within this area, the visual warning on the panel at the front on the inside of the respective window appears. For Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) the visual warning consists of the LED flashing. The light intensity of the LED must, regardless of it being light or dark outside, always be bright enough that the driver can easily recognize the warning. The intensity is therefore adjusted automatically via the twilight sensor that is in the same shell as the alarm LED, which is located above the dashboard by the windshield. In addition to the visual warning, a direction dependent audible warning also sounds, which means that if the threat is from the right-hand side the audible warning sounds from the speakers (front and rear) on the right-hand side. And vice versa if the threat is from the left.

The Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) function is only found on vehicles equipped with a parking assistance module (PAM) and uses the audible signal ring that is in implemented for the Parking Assist System (PAS).

The audible warning is controlled by the Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Left (SODL) respectively Side Obstacle Detection Control Module Right (SODR) sending signals, via the Central Electronic Module (CEM), to the Infotainment Head Unit (IHU) or Infotainment Control Module (ICM) with a request to activate the audible warning. The warning occurs visually by the radar control modules sending signals to the Infotainment Head Unit (IHU) or Infotainment Control Module (ICM) with a request for visual graphics and text message.

To activate Cross Traffic Alert (CTA), reverse gear must be engaged. If reverse is not engaged Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) is always deactivated. As long as reverse gear is engaged the function can be deactivated/activated via the button for PAS on the center console or via the menu on the front display screen. The function is however only activated when PAS is activated.