Sensor, Park Assist: Operation

The park assist sensors are ultrasonic transceivers that are completely controlled by the Park Assist Module (PAM). The sensors transmit and receive ultrasonic signals. The sensors each receive battery current and ground in parallel from the PAM, but are each connected to individual dedicated serial bus communication circuits to the module.

Each sensor membrane is oscillated, then quieted by the PAM in a pulsing fashion. While the sensor membrane oscillates, it emits an ultrasonic signal. This signal will bounce or echo from objects in the path of the vehicle. While quieted, each membrane receives the echoes of the ultrasonic signals it and the other sensors have transmitted. The sensors then communicate this echo data over the serial bus lines back to the PAM. The microcontroller within the PAM uses the intervals between the ultrasonic transmission and reception data from the sensors to calculate the distance to any obstacles identified by the ultrasonic echoes.

The hardwired circuits between components related to the park assist sensors may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, details of wire harness routing and retention, connector pin out information and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.