Adaptive Sensor Field-of-View Volume for Changing Road Conditions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in accurately detecting objects in varying environmental conditions due to degradation in sensor data, leading to reduced confidence in object detection and navigation accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The system adjusts the operating field of view volume of sensors based on detected degradations in sensor data parameters between different environmental conditions, using a method that compares current sensor data with past data to dynamically adapt and maintain reliable object detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor field of view volume is kept fixed, then the sensor configuration is simple, but the object detection reliability degrades in varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the sensor field of view volume adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically modifies the field of view volume based on detected environmental conditions and degradation levels, allowing the sensor to adapt its detection space to maintain reliability across varying conditions while managing complexity through controlled adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the field of view volume parameters in response to environmental conditions. When degradation is detected in sensor data, the system changes the field of view volume parameters to compensate for the degradation, thereby maintaining object detection reliability without requiring a completely complex reconfiguration system.
2Length of stationary object
If the sensor field of view volume is increased to detect objects at greater distances, then the detection range is improved, but the confidence level in detection decreases due to environmental degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the field of view volume based on real-time environmental conditions. When operating at extended detection ranges where environmental degradation reduces confidence, the system modifies the field of view volume parameters to optimize the balance between detection range and confidence level, ensuring reliable operation across varying distances and conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback by continuously monitoring sensor data for signs of environmental degradation and using this information to adjust the field of view volume. This closed-loop approach allows the system to maintain detection confidence by adapting the field of view volume in response to actual detection quality, rather than using a fixed configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor operates in all environmental conditions, then the operational versatility is improved, but the measurement precision degrades due to environmental interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the field of view volume parameters based on environmental conditions. This allows the sensor to maintain measurement precision across diverse environmental conditions by optimizing the field of view volume for each condition, thereby preserving operational versatility without sacrificing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the field of view volume to maintain measurement precision across varying environmental conditions. By making the field of view volume adjustable and responsive to environmental changes, the system achieves both operational versatility and sustained measurement precision, resolving the contradiction between operating in all conditions and maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method includes receiving, from one or more sensors associated with an autonomous vehicle, sensor data associated with a target object in an environment of the vehicle during a first environmental condition, where at least one sensor of the sensor(s) is configurable to be associated with one of a plurality of operating field of view volumes. The method also includes based on the sensor data, determining at least one parameter associated with the target object. The method also includes determining a degradation in the parameter(s) between the sensor data and past sensor data, where the past sensor data is associated with the target object in the environment during a second environmental condition different from the first and, based on the degradation, adjusting the operating field of view volume of the at least one sensor to a different one of the operating field of view volumes.