Computer-implemented method for simulating an ultrasonic sensor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method (10) for simulating an ultrasonic sensor (12), comprising the steps of: providing (S1) a data set which has at least one raw data entry, wherein the raw data entry has a reflection of an ultrasonic signal, converting (S2) the data set into a measurement signal by means of a virtual analog-digital converter, projecting (S3) the converted measurement signal onto a time axis to form a curve of measurement signals, determining (S4) at least one characteristic variable from the curve of measurement signals.

Description

State of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for simulating an ultrasonic sensor, a computer program and a vehicle.

[0002] Currently, there are a multitude of different solutions for simulating sensors, especially ultrasonic sensors in the automotive sector. Due to the increasing number of application scenarios for ultrasonic sensors and the increased demands of autonomous driving, the need for innovative and robust sensor simulation systems is continuously growing.

[0003] The constant weight reduction in the vehicle sector to reduce fuel consumption as well as increasing competition are creating cost pressure, so that cheaper and more efficient components for vehicles are in greater demand. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] The inventive computer-implemented method for simulating an ultrasonic sensor with the features of claim 1 has the advantage over the known method that the accuracy, reliability, and quality of the simulated measured values ​​can be significantly increased. Unlike existing systems, the simulation of the ultrasonic sensor is not limited to the return value such as the time-of-flight value or the like, but the ultrasonic sensor or the ultrasonic signal can be fully modeled or simulated. With the increased accuracy of the ultrasonic sensor simulation, even objects such as children or adult pedestrians, bushes, or more complex objects can be easily detected. This allows for more efficient evaluation of the generated ultrasonic sensor data.

[0005] This is achieved according to the invention in that the computer-implemented method for simulating an ultrasonic sensor comprises the steps: - Providing a data set comprising at least one raw data entry, wherein the raw data entry comprises a reflection of an ultrasound signal, - Converting the data set into a measurement signal using a virtual analog to digital converter, - Projecting the converted measurement signal onto a time axis to form a curve of measurement signals, - Determining at least one characteristic from the course of measurement signals.

[0006] In other words, the simulation of the ultrasonic sensor is carried out using data that also exists in reality, such as the reflection of an ultrasonic signal. The ultrasonic signal can be provided in a data set and / or simulated live. More preferably, the data set can be converted into a measurement signal using a virtual analog-to-digital converter. For example, the analog-to-digital converter can be a 2-bit sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter with a 6.4 MHz clock speed and an approximate data flow of 12 Mbit. More preferably, the converted measured value is projected onto a time axis to form a curve of measurement signals. In particular, the conversion can take place at 200 kHz with 6 bits. Preferably, at least one parameter such as an R value or similar can be based on the curve of measurement signals.

[0007] The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

[0008] Preferably, the method further comprises the step: - Recording at least one reflection of the ultrasonic signal to form the data set by means of a piezo element and / or a MEMS element.

[0009] An advantage of this embodiment is that the piezo element and / or MEMS element allows for very precise detection of the reflections of the ultrasonic signals. Preferably, the recorded reflection can be used to generate various data sets. For example, different data sets can be generated depending on the environment.

[0010] Further preferably, the method comprises the step: - Determining, based on the determined characteristic, at least one echo of the reflection of the ultrasonic signal.

[0011] An advantage of this embodiment is that the echo of the reflection of the ultrasonic signal can be used in further processing steps, for example to detect an object or similar.

[0012] Preferably, the method further comprises the step: - Calculating at least one output value based on the echo and / or the characteristic.

[0013] An advantage of this embodiment is that the recorded or determined values ​​can be more easily used for further operations, for example by converting the echo and / or the characteristic value into the output value.

[0014] More preferably, the output value is a transit time of the ultrasonic signal.

[0015] An advantage of this embodiment is that this simulation of the ultrasonic sensor can be linked to existing simulation models, but a significantly higher data accuracy can be provided.

[0016] Further preferably, the method comprises the step: - Synchronizing a first determined characteristic with a second determined characteristic in the course of measurement signals.

[0017] An advantage of this embodiment is that a higher data density can be achieved by synchronizing various determined parameters from the data set.

[0018] More preferably, the method further comprises the steps: - Transferring the determined parameter to a control unit and / or to a virtual control unit and / or - Receiving at least one control signal from the control unit and / or the virtual control unit, wherein the control signal is configured to initiate the determination of the characteristic variable.

[0019] An advantage of this embodiment is that the simulation model for the ultrasonic sensor can be integrated into an existing system or existing systems for simulation in order to be able to integrate the ultrasonic sensors into autonomous driving simulations or similar.

[0020] More preferably, the method further comprises the step: - Adjusting the dataset based on an environmental parameter, an environmental scenario and / or object parameter.

[0021] An advantage of this embodiment is that the accuracy of the simulation can be further improved by taking environmental parameters or similar into account. For example, the environmental parameter can be an ambient temperature, which can influence the propagation time of the ultrasonic signal. The environmental scenario can be, for example, a city center or another scenario, so that the data set can be adapted accordingly. More preferably, it can be an object parameter, which can adjust the complexity of the objects to be detected.

[0022] A further aspect of the invention relates to a computer program which is designed to carry out steps of the method as described above and below.

[0023] A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle having a control unit configured to carry out steps of the method as described above and below and / or having a storage medium that stores the computer program as described above and below. Short description of the drawings

[0024] Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing: Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 a flowchart illustrating steps of the method according to an embodiment, Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of the method according to an embodiment, Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of the method according to an embodiment, Fig. 5 a computer program according to an embodiment, Fig. 6 a vehicle according to an embodiment. Embodiments of the invention

[0025] Preferably, all identical units, elements and / or steps in all figures are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows a flowchart illustrating steps of method 10 according to one embodiment. The computer-implemented method for simulating an ultrasonic sensor 12 comprises the following steps: - Providing S1 a data set which has at least one raw data entry, wherein the raw data entry has a reflection of an ultrasound signal, - Converting S2 of the data set into a measurement signal using a virtual analog to digital converter, - Projecting S3 of the converted measurement signal onto a time axis to form a curve of measurement signals, - Determine S4 at least one characteristic from the course of measurement signals.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart illustrating steps of the method 10 according to an embodiment. The method 10 preferably comprises the same steps S1 to S4 as already described with regard to the Fig. 1. More preferably, the method 10 comprises the step of recording S5 at least one reflection. Preferably, the method 10 comprises the step of determining S6 based on the determined characteristic of at least one echo of the reflection of the ultrasonic signal. Preferably, the method 10 comprises the step of calculating S7 at least one output value. Preferably, the method comprises the step of synchronizing S8 a first transmitted characteristic. More preferably, the method 10 comprises the steps of transmitting S9 the determined characteristic and / or receiving S10 at least one control signal. More preferably, the method 10 comprises the step of adapting S11 the data set.

[0028] Fig. 3 shows a block diagram 400 to illustrate the functioning of the method 10 according to one embodiment. The block diagram 400 represents the reflection of an ultrasonic signal 402. The ultrasonic signal 402 is recorded by a piezo element 404. In step 406, the data recorded by the piezo element 404 is converted into a signal by means of an analog-to-digital converter. More preferably, in step 408, the measured values ​​406 generated by the analog-to-digital converter can be converted into a time profile 408. More preferably, the signals can be processed in step 410 based on the measured signals over time. More preferably, in step 412, an echo can be generated. Diagram 414 shows an exemplary plot of the generated measured values ​​406 in a time profile 408. Furthermore, the further diagram 416 represents an exemplary processing of the generated measured values ​​406 over time.

[0029] Fig. 4 shows a block diagram 500 to illustrate the functioning of the method 10 according to one embodiment. The block diagram 500 includes a control unit 502. The control unit 502 can be connected to the device for simulating the ultrasound 504 via a physical connection 506. The device for simulating the ultrasound 504 can include an analog component 508. More preferably, the component for simulating the ultrasound 504 can include a system on chip 510. The system on chip 510 preferably includes an ASIC digital wrapper 512, an override handler 514, raw data material 516, a time synchronization 518, and a scenario selector 520. The ASIC digital wrapper 512 can preferably determine the characteristic using the method 10, as described above and below. The time synchronization 518 can be used to map the raw data to the digital data.The raw data material 516 can, in particular, function as a database to provide the data set. Further preferably, the scenario selector 520 can receive input from a user in order to be able to load a possible environmental scenario or the like into the ultrasonic sensor simulation. Further preferably, the override handler 514 has the function of being able to overwrite essentially all of the available ultrasonic data with a fixed value or a predetermined value.

[0030] Fig. 5 shows a computer program 200 according to one embodiment. The computer program 200 is configured to perform steps of method 10, as described above and below.

[0031] Fig.6 shows a vehicle 300 according to one embodiment. The vehicle 300 has a control unit 302, which is preferably configured to perform steps of the method 10, as described above and below, and / or a storage medium 304, which is configured to store the computer program 200, as described above and below. Further preferably, the vehicle 300 has an ultrasonic sensor 12 for generating ultrasonic signals.

Claims

[1] Computer-implemented method (10) for simulating an ultrasonic sensor (12), comprising the steps: - Providing (S1) a data set which has at least one raw data entry, wherein the raw data entry has a reflection of an ultrasound signal, - Converting (S2) the data set into a measurement signal using a virtual analog to digital converter, - Projecting (S3) the converted measurement signal onto a time axis to form a curve of measurement signals, - Determining (S4) at least one characteristic value from the course of measurement signals. [2] The method (10) of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: - Recording (S5) at least one reflection of the ultrasonic signal to form the data set by means of a piezo element and / or a MEMS element. [3] Method (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step: - Determining (S6) based on the determined characteristic of at least one echo of the reflection of the ultrasonic signal. [4] The method (10) of claim 3, further comprising the step: - Calculating (S7) at least one output value based on the echo and / or the characteristic. [5] The method (10) of claim 4, wherein the output value is a transit time of the ultrasonic signal. [6] Method (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step: - Synchronizing (S8) a first determined characteristic with a second determined characteristic in the course of measurement signals. [7] Method (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the steps: - Transferring (S9) the determined characteristic value to a control unit and / or a virtual control unit, and / or - receiving (S10) at least one control signal from the control unit and / or the virtual control unit, wherein the control signal is configured to initiate the determination of the characteristic variable. [8] Method (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step: - Adapting (S11) the data set based on an environmental parameter, an environmental scenario and / or an object parameter. [9] Computer program (200) which is designed to carry out steps of the method (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Vehicle (300) comprising a control unit (302) configured to carry out steps of the method (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and / or comprising a storage medium (304) storing the computer program (200) according to claim 9.

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