Integrated EM-Acoustic Sensor for Autonomous Vehicle Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor designs for self-driving cars face challenges in providing both long-range and short-range obstacle detection efficiently, as well as integrating multiple sensor technologies without incurring costly design limitations.
Innovation Solution
The integration of electromagnetic (EM) and acoustic sensors into a single device, utilizing a ground plane, patch antenna for EM signals, and capacitive micromachined acoustic transducers for acoustic signals, allows for concurrent EM and acoustic signal processing to enhance obstacle detection capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If acoustic sensors are used for obstacle detection, then cost is reduced, but detection range is limited to short distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines acoustic sensors and electromagnetic sensors into a single integrated sensor device. The acoustic sensor array and electromagnetic antenna share the same physical structure, allowing the device to achieve both low cost (from acoustic sensing) and long-range detection (from electromagnetic sensing) simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If electromagnetic sensors are used for obstacle detection, then detection accuracy and motion detection capability are improved, but short-range detection capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated sensor combines electromagnetic sensing (for long-range and accurate detection) with acoustic sensing (for short-range detection). The electromagnetic antenna and acoustic sensor array are merged into a single device, enabling complementary detection capabilities across different distance ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor device performs multiple functions: electromagnetic wave transmission/reception for long-range detection, acoustic wave transmission/reception for short-range detection, and combined signal processing. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require separate sensor systems.
3Reliability
If separate acoustic and electromagnetic sensors are used, then each sensor type can be optimized independently, but vehicle design flexibility is reduced and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges acoustic sensor arrays and electromagnetic antennas into a single integrated structure. The acoustic sensors are positioned on a substrate with cavities that also serve as electromagnetic antenna elements, allowing both sensor types to be optimized independently while sharing a common physical platform, thereby maintaining design flexibility.
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 integrated approach enables the detection of obstacles across a wide range of distances, combining the high accuracy of EM sensors with the short-range capabilities of acoustic sensors, thereby enhancing the safety and efficiency of self-driving vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a patch antenna above the ground plane to send or receive an electromagnetic (EM) signal having an EM signal frequency
Implementation Method 2
an array of capacitive micromachined acoustic transducers formed by cavities between the patch antenna and a base electrode to send or receive an acoustic signal having an acoustic signal frequency
Data Source
AI summary
One illustrative integrated electromagnetic-acoustic sensor includes: a ground plane; a patch antenna above the ground plane to send or receive an electromagnetic (EM) signal having an EM signal frequency; and an array of capacitive micromachined acoustic transducers formed by cavities between the patch antenna and a base electrode to send or receive an acoustic signal having an acoustic signal frequency. One illustrative sensing method includes: driving or sensing a EM signal between a ground plane and a patch antenna; and driving or sensing an acoustic signal between the patch antenna and a base electrode, the base electrode and the patch antenna having an array of capacitive micromachined acoustic transducer cavities therebetween.