Driver Assistance Sensor Simulation for Interference-Free Bench Testing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for testing driver assistance systems in a vehicle test bench lack the ability to simulate realistic environmental scenarios and accurately test the interactions between multiple environmental sensors, leading to potential interference and reduced flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilizes a simulation module spatially separate from the vehicle, incorporating environmental sensors and stimulation devices to generate sensor signals that mimic real-world environments, allowing for precise simulation and testing of driver assistance systems, including multiple sensors with different measurement principles, while minimizing physical interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If environmental sensors are positioned on or in front of the vehicle sensors to simulate objects, then the ability to test driver assistance system reactions is improved, but physical interference and interference between multiple sensors increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoidsensor interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of environmental sensors in a simulation environment rather than using physical sensors positioned near the vehicle. The simulation module generates synthetic sensor signals that replicate real-world sensor data, eliminating physical sensor placement and the associated interference problems while maintaining testing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a simulation environment as an intermediary between the vehicle and the testing system. This virtual environment mediates the interaction by providing simulated sensor inputs without requiring physical sensors to be positioned close to the vehicle, thus avoiding direct physical interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple environmental sensors are integrated into the vehicle test bench, then comprehensive environmental simulation is improved, but device complexity and setup requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental simulation capabilityVSAvoidtest bench complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of multiple actual environmental sensors with a software-based simulation environment. This substitution eliminates the need for complex physical sensor integration, mounting structures, and spatial arrangements while providing the same or greater environmental simulation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The simulation environment serves multiple functions simultaneously: it can simulate various environmental conditions, provide inputs for multiple different sensor types, and accommodate different testing scenarios all through a single integrated software platform, eliminating the need for separate physical sensor systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If additional interfaces or physical attachments are added to the vehicle for sensor integration, then sensor signal transmission is improved, but ease of operation and setup time worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor signal transmissionVSAvoidtesting setup ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sensor integration requirement from the physical vehicle and relocates it to a virtual simulation environment. This separation eliminates the need for physical attachments, mounting hardware, and complex interface connections to the vehicle, while maintaining complete sensor signal transmission capability through software.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4107659B1System and method for testing a driver assistance system on a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 AVL LIST GMBH
  • EP4107659B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4107659B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for testing a driver assistance system (2) of a motor vehicle (3), wherein a driver assistance system (2) comprises a control unit (7) for processing sensor signals, which is configured to process sensor signals from at least one environment sensor (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) of the motor vehicle (3), wherein the environment sensor is configured to capture environmental information and to convert same into sensor signals. The system (1) comprises: a chassis dynamometer (4) which is configured to operate at least one drive train of the motor vehicle; at least one simulation module (8a, 8b), wherein the simulation module accommodates at least one environment sensor (6a, 6b, 6c) and comprises a stimulation device (9a, 9b, 9c) allocated to said environment sensor. The environment sensor accommodated by the simulation module (8a, 8b) corresponds, in particular functionally and/or structurally, to the environment sensor (6a, 6b, 6c) of the motor vehicle (3) or is the environment sensor of the motor vehicle. In order to analyse the driver assistance system (2) in a precisely controlled environment, a first simulation module (8a) and a second simulation module (8b) are, for example, connected to the control unit (7) in order to simulate an environment scenario, in particular a vehicle environment or a driving situation, for the driver assistance system. An environment sensor of the motor vehicle (3) is designed, for example, as an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor (6c, 6e), a lidar sensor (6b) or a camera (6a, 6d). The sensor signal of the camera (6a) can be processed, for example, by the control unit (7) instead of the sensor signal from the camera (6d) of the vehicle (3). A bumper (10) mounted in the second simulation module (8b) is preferably equipped with environment sensors (6b, 6c) that are constructionally and/or functionally identical to those in the bumper of the vehicle (3).