Active Optical Sensor Simulation Using Virtual Response Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The setup and testing of active optical sensor systems, such as lidar systems, are time-consuming and costly due to the need for physical installation and calibration to compensate for installation position or orientation deviations, which affects the accuracy and reliability of measured values.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented simulation method that generates response functions for virtual laser pulses on discrete points of an object surface, simulating a virtual radiant power on the active surface of the sensor system, allowing for a realistic simulation of the scanning process without physical construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a physical active optical sensor system is installed and tested in a real vehicle or test environment, then the measurement accuracy and realism of the data are improved, but the time and cost required for setup and testing increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the active optical sensor system and its test environment using computer-generated 3D models. This virtual replica allows for realistic simulation of scanning processes and calibration procedures without requiring physical installation, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while eliminating time-consuming setup processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calibration and testing in the virtual environment before physical implementation. By pre-calibrating the virtual sensor system and pre-testing measurement algorithms in the simulated environment, the actual physical setup requires minimal adjustment and testing time, effectively resolving the time-cost tradeoff
2Reliability
If a physical active optical sensor system is installed and calibrated, then the reliability and robustness of the system functions are improved, but the complexity and cost of the physical setup process increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual copying to recreate the entire sensor system and test environment, allowing complex calibration and reliability testing to be performed in the virtual model. This eliminates the need for complex physical setup while maintaining system reliability through accurate virtual representation and testing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual simulation environment as an intermediary between system design and physical implementation. This intermediary layer allows for comprehensive testing and validation of system reliability without requiring the final physical setup, thereby decoupling reliability verification from physical complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple physical sensor systems are set up for testing different applications and calibration procedures, then the versatility of testing is improved, but the time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal virtual test environment that can simulate multiple different applications and calibration scenarios within a single system. The virtual sensor system can be reconfigured through software to test various functions and calibration procedures, eliminating the need for multiple physical setups and thereby improving testing efficiency while maintaining versatility
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
According to a computer-implemented simulation method for simulating the scanning of an object (15) with an active optical sensor system (7), a description of an object surface is specified. Using a computing unit (19), a set of discrete points is generated based on the description of the object surface, and a response function (20) is generated for each of the points, as well as a superposition (21) of the generated response functions (20). Using the computing unit (19), a virtual radiant power on an active surface of the sensor system (7) is determined as a function of the superposition (21).