Autopilot Navigation Using Satellite Differential Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic driving navigation systems face challenges in providing round-the-clock positioning and navigation due to the sensitivity of 64-line lidar technology to adverse weather conditions and the inability of 3D high-precision maps to adapt effectively to environmental changes, leading to reduced positioning precision and inefficiencies in traffic management.

Innovation Solution

An automatic driving navigation method utilizing satellite differential positioning technology based on wireless network assistance to obtain high-precision location data, which enables lane-level route planning and vehicle control, independent of 3D high-precision maps, allowing for all-road-condition navigation and comprehensive traffic management by integrating dynamic information across the entire city.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If 64-line lidar is used for vehicle positioning and navigation, then positioning precision can be improved, but the system cannot operate reliably in bad weather conditions such as rain, snow, fog, or haze

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidround-the-clock positioning reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the positioning function into two independent parts: GPS satellite positioning for obtaining rough location information, and lidar-based 3D image matching for achieving high-precision positioning. This segmentation allows the system to use different positioning methods for different precision requirements and to fall back to GPS when lidar fails in bad weather, thus improving overall reliability while maintaining high precision when conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a server with pre-stored 3D high-precision map images as an intermediary between the vehicle's lidar and the positioning objective. The server stores comprehensive 3D images of fixed objects (buildings, landmarks) that serve as reference data for matching. This intermediary enables the system to achieve high-precision positioning by comparing real-time lidar scans against the stored 3D map, while the system can still function using GPS alone when weather conditions degrade lidar performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If 3D high-precision map is used for positioning, then positioning precision can be improved, but the map cannot adapt effectively to environmental changes such as changes in fixed objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidenvironmental change adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing comprehensive 3D images of fixed objects (buildings, landmarks, road signs) in the server before they are needed for positioning. This advance preparation creates a rich reference database that can be quickly matched against real-time lidar data. The preliminary storage of multiple 3D perspectives and object variations enables the system to maintain high positioning precision even when environmental changes occur, as the pre-stored data can accommodate reasonable variations in object appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution ensures reliable and precise vehicle navigation in various weather conditions and adapts to changing environments, improving positioning accuracy and traffic efficiency by expanding the perception range beyond line-of-sight to the entire road network.

Implementation Method 1

an in-vehicle terminal corrects satellite positioning data of a vehicle by using a differential positioning correction received from a radio base station in a wireless network so as to obtain a high-precision location of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDifferential positioning:

Data Source

PatentEP3385670B1Autopilot navigation method, device, system, on-board terminal and server
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3385670B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3385670B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3385670B1 patent drawingFigure 3A-1

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide an automatic driving navigation method, apparatus, and system, an in-vehicle terminal, and a server, and relate to the field of automatic driving technologies. The method includes: obtaining, by an in-vehicle terminal, satellite positioning data of a vehicle, receiving a differential positioning correction from a radio base station in a wireless network, and correcting the satellite positioning data by using the differential positioning correction to obtain a high-precision location of the vehicle; providing, by the server, a lane level planning driving route to the in-vehicle terminal according to the high-precision location provided by the in-vehicle terminal and with reference to high-precision map information; and controlling, by the in-vehicle terminal according to the obtained high-precision location, the vehicle to automatically drive according to the lane level planning driving route. In the present invention, a satellite differential positioning technology based on wireless network assistance is used, and round-the-clock and all-road-condition automatic driving navigation is implemented. In addition, positioning precision does not need to rely on a 3D high-precision map, so that adaptability and reliability of the solution are significantly improved.