Cellular RF Sensing Backup for Vehicle Navigation Camera Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera-based navigation systems in vehicles are susceptible to failure due to inclement weather, lens blockages, or electrical failures, leading to inadequate object detection and navigation challenges.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a 5G communication interface in vehicles, which configures cellular RF sensing to obtain data for navigation when camera-based systems fail, using cellular RF sensing data to support navigation and update RF sensing maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If camera-based navigation systems are used, then object detection capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates under inclement weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The cellular communication interface is designed to serve dual purposes: primary cellular communication and secondary RF sensing for object detection. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain navigation capability across diverse conditions without adding dedicated expensive sensors, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
RF sensing data acts as an intermediary between the cellular communication interface and the navigation system. When camera-based detection fails under inclement weather, the RF sensing data mediates by providing alternative environmental information to maintain navigation reliability.
2Reliability
If radar or RF-based detection systems are added as backup, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cellular communication interface performs both communication and sensing functions, eliminating the need for separate radar or dedicated RF sensing hardware. This resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable backup detection without increasing device complexity or cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The cellular communication interface serves itself by utilizing its inherent RF transmission and reception capabilities for sensing purposes. This self-service approach provides backup navigation capability without requiring additional external systems, reducing both complexity and cost.
3Ease of manufacture
If cellular RF sensing is used instead of radar, then cost is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system copies the sensing functionality from dedicated radar systems by repurposing the cellular communication interface's RF capabilities. While not identical to radar, this copied functionality provides sufficient precision for navigation backup at lower cost, resolving the contradiction between cost effectiveness and sensing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the cellular communication interface, using it outside its standard communication bandwidth and frequency ranges for sensing purposes. This parameter change enables cost-effective sensing with adequate precision by utilizing the existing hardware in a novel manner.
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
Enables reliable object detection and navigation support even in adverse weather conditions or camera failures, while also providing a cost-effective alternative to expensive radar or RF-based systems.
Implementation Method 1
configuring a cellular communication interface of the vehicle to detect cellular RF sensing data of the geographical location of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
An example method for obtaining data at a vehicle for automobile navigation based on cellular radio frequency (RF) sensing comprising obtaining, with a camera at the vehicle, a camera image of an environment surrounding the vehicle. The method further comprises determining a failure condition of the camera preventing object detection of the camera image, wherein the failure condition is caused by inclement weather, blockage on a lens of the camera, electrical failure of the camera, or a combination thereof. The method further comprises responsive to determining the failure condition of the camera, configuring a cellular communication interface of the vehicle to obtain cellular RF sensing data of the environment surrounding the vehicle. The method further comprises performing the automobile navigation support based at least in part on cellular RF sensing data of the environment surrounding the vehicle.