Signal conversion system and method for wireless sensors

Abstract

The present invention discloses a signal conversion system and method for wireless sensors, wherein the signal conversion system for wireless sensors comprises a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) chip, a first wheel speed sensor, a second wheel speed sensor, a signal processing module, and a wireless transmitter module. The signal processing module is connected at its input to the first and second wheel speed sensors and at its output to the CPLD chip. The output of the CPLD chip is connected to the wireless transmitter module. The CPLD chip performs a diagnosis based on the wheel speed signals processed by the signal processing module and transmits a diagnostic result to the receiver via the wireless transmitter module.The present invention utilizes a CPLD chip to achieve a flexible, efficient and low-latency system design, thereby solving the problems of low communication rates, complex peripheral circuits and high chip costs associated with automotive specifications.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electric vehicle technology, in particular a signal conversion system and method for wireless sensors. Technical background

[0002] Sensors are crucial detection components in vehicles, with different sensors capable of capturing different data. For example, wheel speed sensors can monitor a vehicle's speed, acceleration sensors detect fluctuations in speed, height sensors monitor changes in the vehicle's chassis, and distance sensors track the vehicle's distance from its surroundings. With the rapid advancement of driver assistance and autonomous driving technologies, detection components play a vital role as the "eyes" of a vehicle. If the collected data is faulty or inaccurate, it can lead to incorrect decisions within the vehicle's control system, resulting in inappropriate driving strategies that compromise vehicle safety. Therefore, such detection components must meet stringent requirements for reliability and stability.

[0003] To increase the safety of autonomous driving, the vehicle design requires a dual redundancy configuration for identical detection components. However, using cable connections would multiply the number of required wiring harnesses and significantly complicate cable routing. Furthermore, two independent arrays of detection components cannot exchange information or perform mutual diagnostics, resulting in unreliable signal output. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] The present invention is based on the objective of proposing a signal conversion system and method for wireless sensors which solve the above-mentioned technical problems by acquiring wheel speed signals via multiple paths, performing comprehensive diagnostics and subsequently outputting signals wirelessly.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a signal conversion system for wireless sensors is provided, comprising a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) chip, a first wheel speed sensor, a second wheel speed sensor, a signal processing module and a wireless transmitting module;

[0006] The signal processing module is connected at the input to the first wheel speed sensor and the second wheel speed sensor, and at the output to the CPLD chip;

[0007] The output of the CPLD chip is connected to the wireless transmitter module;

[0008] The CPLD chip performs a diagnosis based on the wheel speed signals processed by the signal processing module and sends a diagnostic result to the receiver via the wireless transmitter module.

[0009] The present invention utilizes a CPLD chip to achieve a flexible, efficient and low-latency system design, thereby solving the problems of low communication rates, complex peripheral circuits and high chip costs associated with automotive specifications.

[0010] A further development of the signal conversion system according to the invention for wireless sensors consists in the signal processing module comprising a first signal separation module which is connected at the input to the first wheel speed sensor and at the output to the CPLD chip and serves to separate speed pulses and data protocol bit information of the wheel speed signal of the first wheel speed sensor and send them to the CPLD chip.

[0011] A further development of the signal conversion system according to the invention for wireless sensors consists in the signal processing module comprising a second signal separation module, which is connected at the input to the second wheel speed sensor and at the output to the CPLD chip and serves to separate speed pulses and data protocol bit information of the wheel speed signal of the second wheel speed sensor and send them to the CPLD chip.

[0012] A further development of the signal conversion system according to the invention for wireless sensors consists in the signal processing module further comprising a digital-to-analog converter which is connected at the input to the first wheel speed sensor and the second wheel speed sensor and at the output to the CPLD chip and serves to convert the wheel speed signals of the first wheel speed sensor and the second wheel speed sensor into digital signals and to send these to the CPLD chip.

[0013] A further development of the signal conversion system according to the invention for wireless sensors consists in the CPLD chip being configured to separately determine a first wheel speed signal from the first wheel speed sensor and a second wheel speed signal from the second wheel speed sensor, to compare the first wheel speed signal with the second wheel speed signal, to calculate a signal delay difference, to compare the calculated signal delay difference with a reference delay difference, to obtain diagnostic information for the wheel speed signals based on a comparison result and in conjunction with the digital signals of the digital-to-analog converter, and to send the diagnostic information to the receiver side via the wireless transmitter module.

[0014] A further development of the signal conversion system according to the invention for wireless sensors consists in the fact that the second wheel speed sensor is further connected to a chassis component via a data cable, wherein a filter and shaping module is provided in the line of the data cable.

[0015] A further development of the signal conversion system for wireless sensors according to the invention consists in the fact that the signal conversion system for wireless sensors further comprises a gyroscope which is connected to the CPLD chip via SPI.

[0016] A further development of the signal conversion system for wireless sensors according to the invention consists in the fact that the signal conversion system for wireless sensors further comprises an accelerometer and a digital-to-analog converter, wherein the digital-to-analog converter is connected at the input to the accelerometer and at the output to the CPLD chip via SPI.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a signal conversion method for wireless sensors is provided which is suitable for use in a signal conversion system for wireless sensors as described above and comprises the following: Separate determination of the first wheel speed signal from the first wheel speed sensor and the second wheel speed signal from the second wheel speed sensor;

[0018] Processing the first wheel speed signal and the second wheel speed signal;

[0019] Performing a diagnosis of the wheel speed signals based on the processed first and second wheel speed signals; wirelessly transmitting a diagnostic result to the receiver side of a vehicle.

[0020] A further development of the signal conversion method according to the invention for wireless sensors consists in the processing of the first and second wheel speed signals comprising the following: Separate separation of the first and second wheel speed signals according to a data protocol.

[0021] A further development of the signal conversion method according to the invention for wireless sensors consists in the fact that performing a diagnosis of the wheel speed signals based on the processed first and second wheel speed signals comprises the following: Comparing similar signals and calculating a signal delay difference; Comparing the calculated signal delay difference with a reference delay difference; Obtaining diagnostic information for the wheel speed signals based on a comparison result.

[0022] A further development of the signal conversion method according to the invention for wireless sensors consists in the fact that it further comprises the following: Re-determining the first wheel speed signal and the second wheel speed signal via a different path; Converting the first wheel speed signal and the second wheel speed signal into a digital signal each; Combining the digital signals with the comparison result between the calculated signal delay difference and the reference delay difference to obtain diagnostic information for the wheel speed signals.

[0023] In the signal conversion system and method according to the invention for wireless sensors, wheel speed signals are acquired via multiple paths, processed and diagnosed before being transmitted to the receiver via the wireless transmitter module. The present invention utilizes a CPLD chip to achieve a flexible, efficient, and low-latency system design, thereby solving the problems of low communication rates, complex peripheral circuits, and high chip costs associated with automotive specifications. Presentation of the illustrations

[0024] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. These drawings show: Fig. 1 a block diagram of the structure of a signal conversion system for wireless sensors according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 a flowchart of a signal conversion method for wireless sensors according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily to scale. Furthermore, they show only those parts necessary to explain the present invention, while other parts may be omitted or only briefly mentioned. That is to say, in addition to the components shown in the accompanying drawings, the present invention may also include other components. Specific embodiments

[0026] The embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to specific, concrete examples. Those skilled in the art will recognize that further advantages and technical effects of the present invention can be derived from the disclosures in this description. Although the description of the present invention is presented in conjunction with preferred embodiments, this does not mean that the features of the present invention are limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the purpose of describing the present invention in conjunction with embodiments is to capture further options or modifications that can be derived from the claims of the present invention. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention, the following description contains numerous specific details.The present invention can also be implemented without these details. To avoid confusion or obscuring the essence of the present invention, certain specific details are omitted from the description. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention and the features contained therein can be combined with one another, provided there is no conflict.

[0027] It should be noted that in the present description, similar reference symbols and letters in the drawings denote similar objects, so that an object defined in one drawing need not be further defined and explained in the subsequent drawings.

[0028] In describing the present embodiment, it should be noted that the terms "top," "inside," and the like denote an orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings or on the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of the present invention is typically placed during use, and serve only to facilitate and simplify the description of the present invention. It is not intended to suggest or imply that the device or element in question must have a specific orientation or be designed and operated in a particular orientation. Therefore, they are not to be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0029] The terms “first”, “second”, etc. are used solely for differentiation and should not be interpreted as indicating or suggesting a relative meaning.

[0030] In the description of the present embodiment, it should be noted that the terms "arrange," "connected," and "connect" are to be understood in a broad sense unless expressly stated and defined otherwise. Thus, they can refer, for example, to a fixed, detachable, or one-piece connection, as well as a mechanical or electrical connection. Furthermore, direct connections, indirect connections, connections made via an intermediate piece, and internal connections between two elements are also conceivable. Those skilled in the art in this field can use the given circumstances as a basis for determining the intended meaning of the aforementioned terms within the context of the present embodiment.

[0031] In order to clarify the problem, the technical solutions and advantages of the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the structure of a signal conversion system for wireless sensors according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] With reference to Fig. 1 The signal conversion system for wireless sensors according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) controller 10, a first wheel speed sensor 30, a second wheel speed sensor 40, a signal processing module 20 and a wireless transmitter module 50.

[0034] The signal processing module 20 is connected at its input to the first wheel speed sensor 30 and the second wheel speed sensor 40, and at its output to the CPLD chip 10, the output of which is connected to the wireless transmitter module 50. The signal processing module 20 is configured to process the wheel speed signals from the first wheel speed sensor 30 and the second wheel speed sensor 40 separately and then send them to the CPLD chip 10. The CPLD chip 10 then uses the wheel speed signals processed by the signal processing module 20 to perform a diagnosis and transmits the diagnostic result to the receiver via the wireless transmitter module 50. The receiver is a control unit in a vehicle, such as a domain controller or a vehicle control unit.Based on the diagnostic result, the receiver determines whether the first wheel speed sensor 30 and the second wheel speed sensor 40 are operating correctly.

[0035] In one embodiment, the signal processing module 20 comprises a first signal separation module 21 for processing the wheel speed signal from the first wheel speed sensor 30. The first signal separation module 21 is connected at its input to the first wheel speed sensor 30 and at its output to the CPLD chip 10 and serves to separate speed pulses and data protocol bit information from the wheel speed signal of the first wheel speed sensor 30 and send them to the CPLD chip 10. The first signal separation module 21 comprises a combination circuit, such as a comparator, an amplifier, and a filter circuit.

[0036] Accordingly, the signal processing module 20 includes a second signal separation module 22 for processing the wheel speed signal from the second wheel speed sensor 40. The second signal separation module 22 is connected at its input to the second wheel speed sensor 40 and at its output to the CPLD chip 10 and serves to separate speed pulses and data protocol bit information from the wheel speed signal of the second wheel speed sensor 40 and send them to the CPLD chip 10. The second signal separation module 22 includes a combination circuit, such as a comparator, an amplifier, and a filter circuit.

[0037] Furthermore, the signal processing module 20 includes a digital-to-analog converter 23, which is connected at its input to the first wheel speed sensor 30 and the second wheel speed sensor 40 and at its output to the CPLD chip 10. The converter serves to convert the wheel speed signals from the first wheel speed sensor 30 and the second wheel speed sensor 40 into digital signals and send these to the CPLD chip 10. This enables the CPLD chip 10 to perform a comprehensive evaluation in conjunction with the digital wheel speed signals.

[0038] The CPLD chip 10 is configured to separately determine a first wheel speed signal from the first wheel speed sensor 30 and a second wheel speed signal from the second wheel speed sensor 40, to compare the first wheel speed signal with the second wheel speed signal, to calculate a signal delay difference, to compare the calculated signal delay difference with a reference delay difference, to obtain diagnostic information for the wheel speed signals based on a comparison result and in conjunction with the digital signals of the digital-to-analog converter 23, and to send the diagnostic information to the receiver side via the wireless transmitter module.

[0039] In particular, the CPLD chip 10 of the present application can detect two signal types, each containing the wheel speed signals of the first wheel speed sensor 30 and the second wheel speed sensor 40. After processing one signal type, the CPLD chip 10 can perform a comparison using various data protocols and calculate a delay difference, while the other signal type is sent to the CPLD chip 10 after conversion by the digital-to-analog converter 23. Finally, the CPLD chip 10 performs a comprehensive assessment based on a comparison of the delay differences and the digital signals resulting from the digital-to-analog conversion in order to obtain diagnostic information for the wheel speed signals, i.e., to assess whether the first wheel speed sensor 30 and the second wheel speed sensor 40 are operating correctly.The diagnostic signal is then sent via the wireless transmitter module to the receiver, which is a vehicle control unit.

[0040] Furthermore, the second wheel speed sensor 40 is connected to a chassis component via a data cable 41, wherein a filter and shaping module 42 is provided in the data cable 41, which serves to shape and filter the determined wheel speed signal from the second wheel speed sensor 40. In the present invention, to ensure the reliability of the wheel speed signal acquisition, a wired data acquisition is additionally provided, wherein the wheel speed signal is transmitted via the data cable 41 to a chassis component so that the vehicle control system can perform a comprehensive assessment based on both wireless and wired signals in order to provide stable wheel speed signals for the autonomous driving of the vehicle. The chassis component comprises one or more components: an anti-lock braking system, an electronic stability program, and a zone control system.

[0041] In a further embodiment, the signal conversion system for wireless sensors also includes a gyroscope 60, which is connected to the CPLD chip 10 via SPI. After processing by the CPLD chip 10, the acquisition data from the gyroscope 60 is transmitted to the receiver side of the vehicle via the wireless transmitter module 50. Thus, the signal conversion system for wireless sensors according to the present invention solves the problems of multiple sensor protocols and the simultaneous acquisition of signals via multiple paths, and offers an integrated solution for multiple sensor types.

[0042] In a further embodiment, the signal conversion system for wireless sensors further comprises an accelerometer 70 and a digital-to-analog converter 71, wherein the digital-to-analog converter 71 is connected at its input to the accelerometer 70 and at its output to the CPLD chip 10 via SPI. After processing by the CPLD chip 10, the acquisition data from the accelerometer 70 is transmitted to the receiver side of the vehicle via the wireless transmitter module 50. Thus, the signal conversion system for wireless sensors according to the present invention solves the problems of multiple sensor protocols and the simultaneous acquisition of signals via multiple paths, and offers an integrated solution for multiple sensor types.

[0043] Naturally, the signal conversion system according to the invention for wireless sensors is not limited to the sensor types mentioned above. Other sensor types can also be integrated by connecting them to the CPLD chip 10, thus enabling the integration of multiple sensor types.

[0044] According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as in Fig. 2 in conjunction with Fig. Figure 1 shows a signal conversion method for wireless sensors that is suitable for use in the signal conversion system for wireless sensors according to one of the aforementioned embodiments and comprises the following: S201: Separate determination of the first wheel speed signal of the first wheel speed sensor 30 and the second wheel speed signal of the second wheel speed sensor 40. S202: Processing the first wheel speed signal and the second wheel speed signal. S203: Performing a diagnosis of the wheel speed signals based on the processed first and second wheel speed signals. S204: Wireless transmission of a diagnostic result to the receiver side of a vehicle.

[0045] In this embodiment, the wheel speed sensor and the second wheel speed sensor 40 are each connected to the CPLD chip 10 so that the CPLD chip 10 can determine the wheel speed signals of the first wheel speed sensor 30 and the second wheel speed sensor 40. Processing the first and second wheel speed signals includes separating them according to a data protocol. Specifically, a first signal separation module 21 is connected between the first wheel speed sensor 30 and the CPLD chip 10 to separate speed pulses and data protocol bit information from the wheel speed signal of the first wheel speed sensor 30, and a second signal separation module 22 is connected between the second wheel speed sensor 40 and the CPLD chip 10 to separate speed pulses and data protocol bit information from the wheel speed signal of the second wheel speed sensor 40.

[0046] Subsequently, the CPLD chip 10 performs a diagnosis of the wheel speed signals based on the extracted data. This diagnosis of the wheel speed signals, based on the processed first and second wheel speed signals, includes the following: comparing similar signals and calculating a signal delay difference; comparing the calculated signal delay difference with a reference delay difference; and obtaining diagnostic information for the wheel speed signals based on a comparison result.

[0047] Finally, a diagnostic result is sent to the receiver side of the vehicle, which can use the diagnostic result to determine whether the wheel speed signals of the wheel speeds of the first wheel speed sensor 30 and the second wheel speed sensor 40 are functioning correctly.

[0048] Furthermore, the signal conversion procedure for wireless sensors includes: re-determining the first wheel speed signal and the second wheel speed signal via another path; converting the first wheel speed signal and the second wheel speed signal each into a digital signal; combining the digital signals with the comparison result between the calculated signal delay difference and the reference delay difference to obtain diagnostic information for the wheel speed signals.

[0049] In particular, the CPLD chip 10 of the present application can detect two signal types, each containing the wheel speed signals of the first wheel speed sensor 30 and the second wheel speed sensor 40. After processing one signal type, the CPLD chip 10 can perform a comparison using various data protocols and calculate a delay difference, while the other signal type is sent to the CPLD chip 10 after conversion by the digital-to-analog converter 23. Finally, the CPLD chip 10 performs a comprehensive assessment based on a comparison of the delay differences and the digital signals resulting from the digital-to-analog conversion in order to obtain diagnostic information for the wheel speed signals, i.e., to assess whether the first wheel speed sensor 30 and the second wheel speed sensor 40 are operating correctly.The diagnostic signal is then sent via the wireless transmitter module to the receiver, which is a vehicle control unit.

[0050] In the signal conversion system and method according to the invention for wireless sensors, wheel speed signals are acquired via multiple paths, processed and diagnosed before being transmitted to the receiver via the wireless transmitter module. The present invention utilizes a CPLD chip to achieve a flexible, efficient, and low-latency system design, thereby solving the problems of low communication rates, complex peripheral circuits, and high chip costs associated with automotive specifications.

[0051] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be clear to those skilled in the field that the foregoing constitutes a further detailed explanation of the present invention in connection with specific embodiments and that the specific implementation of the present invention is not to be construed as being limited to these descriptions. Those skilled in the field may make various modifications in form and detail, including a number of simple derivations or substitutions, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

[1] Signal conversion system for wireless sensors, characterized by , that it includes a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) chip, a first wheel speed sensor, a second wheel speed sensor, a signal processing module and a wireless transmitter module; the signal processing module is connected at the input to the first wheel speed sensor and the second wheel speed sensor and at the output to the CPLD chip; the output of the CPLD chip is connected to the wireless transmitter module; the CPLD chip performs a diagnosis based on the wheel speed signals processed by the signal processing module and sends a diagnostic result to the receiver side via the wireless transmitter module. [2] Signal conversion system for wireless sensors according to claim 1, characterized by, that the signal processing module includes a first signal separation module which is connected at the input to the first wheel speed sensor and at the output to the CPLD chip and serves to separate speed pulses and data protocol bit information of the wheel speed signal of the first wheel speed sensor and send them to the CPLD chip. [3] Signal conversion system for wireless sensors according to claim 2, characterized by , that the signal processing module includes a second signal separation module which is connected at the input to the second wheel speed sensor and at the output to the CPLD chip and serves to separate speed pulses and data protocol bit information of the wheel speed signal of the second wheel speed sensor and send them to the CPLD chip. [4] Signal conversion system for wireless sensors according to claim 3, characterized by, that the signal processing module further includes a digital-to-analog converter which is connected at the input to the first wheel speed sensor and the second wheel speed sensor and at the output to the CPLD chip and serves to convert the wheel speed signals of the first wheel speed sensor and the second wheel speed sensor into digital signals and send these to the CPLD chip. [5] Signal conversion system for wireless sensors according to claim 4, characterized by, that the CPLD chip is configured to separately detect a first wheel speed signal from the first wheel speed sensor and a second wheel speed signal from the second wheel speed sensor, to compare the first wheel speed signal with the second wheel speed signal, to calculate a signal delay difference, to compare the calculated signal delay difference with a reference delay difference, to obtain diagnostic information for the wheel speed signals based on a comparison result and in conjunction with the digital signals of the digital-to-analog converter, and to send the diagnostic information to the receiver side via the wireless transmitter module. [6] Signal conversion system for wireless sensors according to claim 3, characterized by , that the second wheel speed sensor is further connected to a chassis component via a data cable, wherein a filter and shaping module is provided in the line of the data cable. [7] Signal conversion system for wireless sensors according to claim 1, characterized by , that the signal conversion system for wireless sensors further includes a gyroscope that is connected to the CPLD chip via SPI. [8] Signal conversion system for wireless sensors according to claim 1, characterized by , that the signal conversion system for wireless sensors further comprises an accelerometer and a digital-to-analog converter, wherein the digital-to-analog converter is connected to the accelerometer at the input and to the CPLD chip via SPI at the output. [9] Signal conversion method for wireless sensors for use in a signal conversion system for wireless sensors according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the procedure includes the following: Separate determination of the first wheel speed signal from the first wheel speed sensor and the second wheel speed signal from the second wheel speed sensor; Processing the first wheel speed signal and the second wheel speed signal; Performing a diagnosis of the wheel speed signals based on the processed first and second wheel speed signals; Wireless transmission of a diagnostic result to the receiver side of a vehicle. [10] Method according to claim 9, characterized by , that processing the first and second wheel speed signals includes the following: Separate separation of the first and second wheel speed signals according to a data protocol. [11] Method according to claim 10, characterized by , that performing a diagnosis of the wheel speed signals based on the processed first and second wheel speed signals includes the following: Comparing similar signals and calculating a signal delay difference; Comparing the calculated signal delay difference with a reference delay difference; Obtaining diagnostic information for the wheel speed signals based on a comparison result. [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized by , that it further includes the following: Re-determining the first wheel speed signal and the second wheel speed signal via a different path; Converting the first wheel speed signal and the second wheel speed signal into a digital signal each; Combining the digital signals with the comparison result between the calculated signal delay difference and the reference delay difference to obtain diagnostic information for the wheel speed signals.

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