Adaptive Ultrasonic Emission Control for Vehicular Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic sensors in vehicles emit excessive sound levels in high-traffic situations, potentially affecting sensitive electronics and wildlife, and existing systems do not effectively reduce emissions without compromising object detection capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic range sensor with a controllable burst rate and a controller that adapts the emission rate based on object tracking stability, temporarily switches off emissions when the object is at a stable distance, and uses camera-based tracking to calibrate and confirm distances, reducing unnecessary ultrasonic emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic sensors operate at a standard high burst rate to ensure continuous object detection, then object detection reliability is maintained, but ultrasonic emission levels increase causing potential harm to electronics and wildlife
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the ultrasonic burst rate based on real-time tracking conditions. When an object is detected and tracked successfully, the system reduces the burst rate from standard high frequency to a lower frequency, maintaining sufficient detection capability while reducing ultrasonic emissions. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the emission level variable rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the tracking system to control the emission rate. The tracking system continuously monitors object position and provides feedback signals that trigger adjustments to the ultrasonic burst rate. When tracking is stable, feedback signals indicate reduced emission frequency is acceptable; when tracking quality degrades, feedback signals restore higher emission rates, ensuring detection reliability while minimizing unnecessary emissions.
2Reliability
If multiple ultrasonic-equipped vehicles operate simultaneously in high-traffic situations, then comprehensive object detection coverage is achieved, but cumulative ultrasonic sound levels increase causing environmental harm
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of all vehicles continuously operating at full ultrasonic emission levels, the system applies partial action by reducing emission frequency when tracking conditions are sufficient. This allows the detection system to function effectively at reduced emission levels, and when multiple vehicles do this simultaneously, the cumulative harmful effect is significantly reduced while detection coverage is maintained through coordinated operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ultrasonic burst rate is reduced to minimize emissions, then environmental impact is reduced, but object detection and tracking capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the burst rate based on real-time tracking quality rather than using a fixed low rate. When tracking conditions are good (object clearly detected, stable position), the system uses reduced burst rates to minimize emissions. When tracking quality degrades or objects are first being acquired, the system automatically increases burst rates to ensure reliable detection, thus maintaining detection capability while minimizing emissions during stable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system provides continuous feedback on detection quality and object stability. This feedback controls the burst rate adjustment, ensuring that reduced emissions are only applied when detection reliability is already sufficient. If feedback indicates detection capability is deteriorating, the system restores higher emission rates, preventing compromise of object detection capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Significantly minimizes ultrasonic emissions in high-traffic conditions while maintaining effective object detection and tracking, reducing the impact on surrounding environments and wildlife.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic range sensor having at least one ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic bursts
Implementation Method 2
which measure short-range distance using radiated ultrasonic sound waves
Data Source
AI summary
Remote object detection in an automotive vehicle includes an ultrasonic sensor for emitting ultrasonic bursts from an ultrasonic transducer at a standard rate. At least one object is tracked which reflects the ultrasonic bursts to the sensor. The transducer is adaptively set to emit ultrasonic bursts at a reduced rate which is less than the standard rate based on a result of the object tracking. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic bursts are set at the reduced rate when the tracked object is maintaining a stable relative position. The stable relative position may be comprised of the tracked object having a relative velocity less than a threshold. In another embodiment, extrinsic ultrasonic bursts originating from the tracked object and subsequent echoes between the automotive vehicle and the tracked object can be used by the vehicle to monitor the tracked object while emission of bursts from the vehicle are switched off.