Autonomous Driving Sensor Selection for Adaptive Measurement Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous driving systems face challenges in ensuring precise surroundings data collection, leading to inefficient computing resources and energy consumption, as they only partially adapt sensor operations to varying conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method that continuously monitors and adjusts the quality of autonomous driving by selecting and configuring sensors based on real-time surroundings data, using a combination of sensors like ultrasonic, optical, and LIDAR, and dynamically adjusts the measuring rate to maintain safe operation while reducing processing load and energy demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If all sensors are continuously operated at maximum measuring rate to ensure precise surroundings data, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but energy consumption and computing resource usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by continuously monitoring the quality of autonomous driving and dynamically adjusting sensor operations based on current driving conditions. The system transitions from static full-sensor operation to dynamic adaptive operation, where sensor selection and measuring rates are modified in real-time according to actual traffic situations, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining necessary measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of sensors based on quality monitoring results. When quality metrics indicate safe autonomous driving conditions, the system reduces measuring rates or deactivates certain sensors. This parameter adjustment directly addresses the contradiction by lowering energy consumption during periods when full sensor operation is not critical for safety.
2Reliability
If sensor measuring rate is increased to capture rapid changes in surroundings, then reliability of autonomous driving is improved, but computing time and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by selectively operating only the necessary subset of sensors at any given time based on quality assessment. Instead of continuously operating all sensors at maximum rate, the system activates only those sensors and measuring rates required for current driving conditions, reducing computing time while maintaining reliability through targeted monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If more sensors are selected and operated simultaneously to improve detection coverage, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sensor system into independently controllable units that can be selectively activated. Based on quality monitoring and driving conditions, the system segments the full sensor array into active and inactive subsets, managing complexity through selective operation rather than requiring all sensors to function simultaneously at full capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating an autonomous driving function of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a computer unit and sensors for detecting surroundings data. The computer unit is configured to determine a setpoint trajectory for the vehicle, based on the detected surroundings data. In step a), an actual trajectory, and distances from objects in the surroundings, are detected. In step b), an ascertainment of the quality of the autonomous driving function takes place by comparing the actual trajectory to the setpoint trajectory and monitoring the detected distances from objects in the surroundings. In step c), a control of the quality to a predefined target value takes place by selecting sensors to be used for the autonomous driving function from the plurality of sensors and/or by changing a measuring rate, at which measurements are carried out, of at least one sensor from the plurality of sensors.