Adaptive Ultrasonic Object Detection for Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic-based object detection systems in vehicles face limitations due to a low signal-to-noise ratio, leading to reduced performance and operating range, as they struggle to effectively distinguish between useful signals and noise, especially in changing environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a first received wave pulse to estimate the noise components in a subsequent wave pulse, allowing for adaptive signal preconditioning by determining a threshold value and noise power, which enables more precise noise suppression and reduces processing expenditure while maintaining signal quality, allowing for recursive correction of object detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a constant threshold value is used to suppress signal portions below the threshold, then noise suppression is achieved, but useful signal portions are unintentionally suppressed and performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the threshold value adaptive rather than constant. The threshold is dynamically adjusted based on the signal characteristics of previously received wave pulses, allowing the system to adapt to changing environmental conditions and distinguish between noise and useful signals more effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the signal characteristics from previously received wave pulses to determine the threshold value for subsequent wave pulses. This feedback mechanism allows the system to learn from past observations and continuously optimize its noise suppression and signal detection performance
2Measurement precision
If expensive high-resolution signal processing components are used to achieve precise processing, then signal processing quality is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the system to automatically determine optimal processing parameters (threshold values, echo damping time periods) based on its own observed signal characteristics. This eliminates the need for expensive high-resolution components, as the system adapts its processing to achieve precise results using standard hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameters (threshold value, echo damping time period) dynamically based on the signal characteristics of received wave pulses. This allows the system to achieve high processing quality by adapting parameters rather than relying on expensive fixed high-resolution components
3Object-affected harmful factors
If signal portions are suppressed during echo damping time periods, then noise is reduced, but the operating range and detection precision are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the echo damping time period dynamic by determining it based on the signal characteristics of previously received wave pulses. This allows the system to suppress noise effectively during actual echo periods while maintaining detection capability during useful signal periods, thereby extending the operating range
4Measurement precision
If adaptive signal preconditioning is implemented to improve noise differentiation, then signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced, but processing expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs adaptive signal preconditioning by automatically determining threshold values and echo damping time periods based on its own observed signal characteristics. This self-service approach enhances the signal-to-noise ratio without requiring additional external processing resources or complex algorithms
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
This approach enhances the signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in more precise ranging and a greater operating range, effectively suppressing noise while minimizing the suppression of useful signals, and adapts to changing conditions without significant increases in processing costs.
Implementation Method 1
there are also ultrasonic-based sensors in which a transducer emits sonic waves
Implementation Method 2
the sonic waves reflected from the surrounding area being measured
Implementation Method 3
a range, in which a reflecting object is situated with respect to the transducer, is then deduced in light of the propagation time
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting an object within a surrounding area of a vehicle, includes: repeatedly transmitting wave pulses into the surrounding area; repeatedly receiving wave pulses, which correspond to the transmitted wave pulses reflected by the objects; detecting the object with the aid of a signal representation of the received wave pulses, and ascertaining at least one signal characteristic of a first received wave pulse. The detecting of the object includes: comparing the curve in the form of the signal characteristic of the first received wave pulse to the curve of a further received wave pulse, which was received after the first received wave pulse, location information of the object being corrected in light of the comparison.