Method and module for controlling a vehicle's speed

A module for controlling a vehicle's speed, which comprises:

• an input unit configured for receiving a desired speed vset for the vehicle;
• a horizon unit configured for determining by means of map data and location data a horizon for an intended itinerary which is comprised of route segments with at least one characteristic for each segment;
• a calculation unit configured for effecting the following during each of a number of simulation cycles (s) wherein each cycle comprises a number N of simulation steps conducted at a predetermined frequency f, the steps each comprising:
• making a first prediction of the vehicle's speed vpred—cc along a horizon with a conventional cruise control when vset is presented as a reference speed, wherein the prediction depends on the characteristics of the segment;
• comparing a predicted vehicle speed vpred—cc with vmin and vmax, which demarcate a range of the vehicle's intended speed;
• making a second prediction of the vehicle's speed vpred—Tnew along the horizon when the vehicle has an engine torque T having a value which depends on a result of the comparison in the latest preceding simulation cycle (s-1);
• determining at least one reference value which indicates how the vehicle's speed is to be influenced on the basis of at least one of the comparisons in that simulation cycle (s) and the predicted vehicle speed vpred—Tnew;
• and
• the module is further configured for sending to a control system in the vehicle said at least one reference value with respect to which the vehicle is thereupon regulated.