Dynamic Sensor Coverage for Fail-Operational Autonomous Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in maintaining safe operation under varying environmental conditions due to limitations in sensor performance and perception algorithms, which can lead to reduced effective sensor coverage and increased risk of accidents, especially in adverse weather or obstructed environments.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method dynamically adjusts the effective sensor coverage area by using high-definition maps and multiple sensors to verify object locations, ensuring that critical objects are within the sensor's range, and implements a fail-operational navigation system to safely operate the vehicle by identifying safe drivable areas and modifying navigation controls based on sensor performance and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If AI/machine learning technologies are used to process sensor data, then the autonomous system can perceive the surrounding environment, but the system is slow and does not adapt readily to real-time changes in environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of sensor coverage areas based on real-time environmental conditions. The system continuously monitors environmental factors (weather, lighting, obstacles) and adapts sensor coverage dynamically rather than using fixed coverage zones, enabling rapid response to changing conditions without requiring complete reprocessing of sensor data
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-identifies critical objects and areas that require monitoring based on predicted environmental conditions. By anticipating which sensor coverage zones will become critical under various environmental scenarios, the system prepares monitoring priorities in advance, reducing response time when actual environmental changes occur
2Reliability
If redundant automated driving systems are designed to achieve fail-operational status, then system reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (cameras, LIDAR, radar) and their processing functions into a unified sensor coverage monitoring system. Rather than maintaining completely separate redundant systems, the invention integrates sensor data from multiple sources and combines their coverage areas to achieve fail-operational reliability through diversified sensor inputs within a single coordinated system
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a multi-functional sensor coverage monitoring mechanism that serves multiple purposes: it monitors environmental conditions, tracks critical objects, adjusts sensor coverage areas, and ensures fail-operational status all through a single integrated system rather than requiring separate dedicated systems for each function
3Reliability
If sensor coverage area is increased to monitor more environment, then safety improves, but the system becomes less efficient when sensors are impaired by environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adjusting sensor coverage areas dynamically based on local environmental conditions. Rather than uniformly increasing or maintaining full sensor coverage everywhere, the system identifies specific critical areas that require enhanced monitoring and concentrates sensor resources on those localized zones, improving safety where needed while maintaining processing efficiency in less critical areas
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by dynamically adjusting sensor coverage area boundaries based on environmental conditions. When environmental conditions deteriorate or critical objects are detected, the system expands coverage parameters in those specific directions; when conditions are favorable, it reduces coverage parameters, thereby optimizing the balance between safety monitoring and processing efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for dynamically adjusting effective sensor coverage coordinates of a sensor used to assist in navigating an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) in response to environmental conditions that may affect the ideal operation of the sensor. An ADV includes a navigation system and a safety monitor system that monitors some, or all, of the navigation system, including monitoring: dynamic adjustment of effective sensor coverage coordinates of a sensor and localization of the ADV within a high-definition map. The ADV safety monitor system further determines safety-critical objects surrounding the ADV, determines safe areas to navigate the ADV, and ensures that the ADV navigates only to safe areas. An automated system performance monitor determines whether to pass-through ADV navigation control commands, limit one or more control commands, or perform a fail-operational behavior, based on the ADV safety monitor systems.