Method for a Driver Assistance Application

A method for operating a driver assistance system of a vehicle including at least one sensor unit, a first control unit, an actuator control unit, an actuator, and a second control unit incorporated in the sensor unit, the actuator control unit or the actuator, wherein the method comprises:

• with the at least one sensor unit, detecting surroundings of the vehicle and producing corresponding sensor data;
• with the first control unit, attempting to calculate a surroundings model based on the sensor data, calculate a first control variable for a first driver assistance application, and transmit a first control signal to trigger the actuator dependent on and in accordance with the first control variable;
• with the second control unit, calculating a second control variable for a second driver assistance application having reduced functionality compared to the first driver assistance application, and transmitting a second control signal to trigger the actuator based on the sensor data;
• if the first control signal is not available, then determining a third control signal to trigger the actuator, wherein a value of the second control signal is used for the third control signal, or the third control signal is calculated based on the second control signal and a last transmitted value of the first control signal, or the surroundings model is transmitted from the first control unit to the second control unit and the third control signal is calculated based on the surroundings model.

A driver assistance system for a vehicle, comprising:

• an actuator configured and arranged to actuate a control component of the vehicle;
• an actuator control unit configured and arranged to provide control signals for triggering the actuator;
• at least one sensor unit configured and arranged to detect surroundings of the vehicle and produce corresponding sensor data;
• a first control unit configured and arranged to calculate a surroundings model based on the sensor data, to calculate a first control variable for a first driver assistance application, and to transmit a first control signal to trigger the actuator dependent on and in accordance with the first control variable;
• and
• a second control unit that is incorporated in the sensor unit, the actuator control unit or the actuator, and that is configured and arranged to calculate a second control variable for a second driver assistance application having reduced functionality compared to the first driver assistance application, and to transmit a second control signal to trigger the actuator based on the sensor data, and wherein the second control unit is further configured and arranged to determine a third control signal to trigger the actuator if the first control signal is not available, wherein a value of the second control signal is used for the third control signal, or the third control signal is calculated based on a last transmitted value of the first control signal and the second control signal, or the surroundings model is transmitted from the first control unit to the second control unit and the third control signal is calculated based on the surroundings model.