Transmission shift torque characteristics and optimized engine torque control using predictive shift request management

A predictive transmission shift request and engine torque control method for a vehicle, the method comprising:

• providing an engine control module (ECM) configured to communicate with a transmission control module (TCM) via a controller area network (CAN) and to control an engine comprising engine torque actuators and configured to generate drive torque that is transferred to a driveline of the vehicle via an automatic transmission controlled by the TCM;
• transmitting, from the ECM and to the TCM, a set of engine torque information indicative of a status of the engine, statuses of the engine torque actuators, and torque capabilities of the engine;
• receiving, by the ECM and from the TCM, a predictive shift request generated by the TCM based on a set of known time delays and the set of engine torque information after determining, by the TCM, to perform a shift operation of the transmission;
• controlling, by the ECM, the engine torque actuators in response to and based on the predictive torque request to prepare the engine for the transmission shift operation;
• receiving, by the ECM and from the TCM, an actual shift request indicative the TCM and the transmission beginning to execute transmission shift operation;
• and
• controlling, by the ECM, the engine torque actuators in response to and based on the actual shift request to adjust a torque output of the engine during the transmission shift operation to provide a faster and smoother transmission shift.