Autonomous Vehicle Test Interface for Parallel Real-Time Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Testing autonomous vehicles is time-consuming due to the complexity of validating sensing and actuating units, particularly when multiple simulations are required for safety assurance, and existing methods are inefficient in simulating real-time scenarios across multiple components.
Innovation Solution
A device and system that utilize a communication module with multiple interfaces and a processing unit to map simulation instances to autonomous vehicle components, enabling simultaneous testing of control, sensing, and actuating units with simulated sensor data and vehicle dynamics, allowing for parallel testing of multiple autonomous vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple simulations are run to test control units, sensing units and actuating units for safety assurance, then testing completeness and reliability are improved, but testing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the testing process by creating multiple virtual instances of autonomous vehicles in a simulation environment. Each virtual vehicle can be tested independently and simultaneously, allowing parallel execution of multiple safety scenarios without sequential delays. The communication module segments data transmission by routing simulated sensor data from multiple virtual vehicles through separate communication channels to their respective control units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of autonomous vehicles in a simulation environment that replicate the behavior and components of physical vehicles. These virtual instances include simulated sensor data, control units, sensing units, and actuating units that mirror the real system architecture. By testing these copies in parallel, the system achieves comprehensive safety validation without the time constraints of physical testing.
2Measurement precision
If validation of sensing units and actuating units is performed to ensure smooth operation, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication module as an intermediary between the simulation environment and the control units. This module manages the complex data flow by receiving simulated sensor data from the virtual environment, processing and routing it through appropriate communication protocols, and delivering it to the control units. The intermediary handles the complexity of coordinating multiple sensing and actuating units, shielding the core validation logic from implementation details.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation environment is designed to be universal, supporting multiple types of autonomous vehicles and their various sensing and actuating units through a standardized interface. The communication module provides multi-functional capabilities by handling different data formats, communication protocols, and vehicle types through a single unified system, reducing the need for separate validation systems for each component type.
3Productivity
If real-time simulation of multiple scenarios is implemented across multiple autonomous vehicles, then productivity is improved, but communication module complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-vehicle sequential testing to multi-vehicle parallel testing by adding the dimension of concurrency. The communication module handles this by creating multiple independent data transmission channels, each managing communication with a specific virtual vehicle instance. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous processing of multiple test scenarios without requiring complex inter-dependency management between test cases.
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AI summary
System, device and method for testing autonomous vehicles are disclosed. The device (300) for testing a plurality of components of at least one autonomous vehicle, the device (300) comprises a communication module (310) comprising a set of interfaces (302-308), preferably simultaneously, communicatively couplable to the plurality of components of the at least one autonomous vehicle; and a processing unit (330) communicatively coupled to the communication module (310) and capable of mapping simulation instances (110-160) to the interfaces of the communication module (310), wherein the simulation instances (110-160) include at least one of simulated sensor data (102) and vehicle dynamics data (104) reflecting behavior of the at least one autonomous vehicle.