Distributed Sensor Fusion Module for Vibration-Stable AV Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autonomous vehicle sensor systems face reliability issues due to mechanical vibrations and synchronization challenges, leading to inaccurate outputs and difficulties in integrating multiple sensor systems for fault tolerance and graceful degradation.
Innovation Solution
A distributed integrated sensing and communication (DISC) module integrates various sensor systems, including lidar, radar, and camera systems, along with computing and communication components into a single physical module, allowing for distributed analysis and reduced reliance on centralized computing, thereby mitigating vibration impacts and enhancing fault tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sensor systems are placed in separate physical modules with centralized computing, then system integration is simplified, but mechanical vibrations and synchronization challenges degrade reliability and measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensor systems (lidar, radar, camera, infrared) and their processing units into a single integrated physical module. This consolidation eliminates the synchronization challenges and reliability issues caused by mechanical vibrations in separate modules, as all sensors and processors are co-located and mechanically coupled to the same platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the autonomous vehicle system into multiple distributed integrated modules rather than one centralized system. Each module is self-contained with its own sensors and processing capability, allowing independent operation and reducing the impact of vibrations on overall system synchronization while maintaining integration benefits.
2Reliability
If multiple sensor systems are integrated in separate physical modules, then fault tolerance and graceful degradation can be achieved, but wiring complexity and space occupation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor systems and their processing units into integrated modules, eliminating the need for extensive wiring between separate modules and centralized computing. Each integrated module is self-sufficient, processing sensor data locally and reducing inter-module connectivity requirements while maintaining fault tolerance through distributed architecture.
3Device complexity
If a centralized computing system processes all sensor signals, then system architecture is simplified, but heat generation and compute availability become reliability bottlenecks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the computing function across multiple distributed integrated modules rather than concentrating all processing in one centralized system. Each module contains its own processing units that handle sensor data locally, distributing heat generation across multiple locations and improving compute availability through parallel processing while maintaining simplified architecture at the module level.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed integrated sensing and communication (DISC) module for an autonomous vehicle is described herein. The DISC module includes at least a first sensor system, a second sensor system, a processor, and memory. The first sensor system and the second sensor system are different types of sensor systems. The first sensor system outputs a first sensor signal, and the second sensor system outputs a second sensor signal. The DISC module can detect and track an object (or objects) based on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal. Moreover, the DISC module can output data indicative of the object as detected. In the DISC module, the first sensor system, at least a portion of the second sensor system, the processor, and the memory are integrated on a single substrate.