Flexible Sensor Test Board for Autonomous Vehicle I/O Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motion planning and control systems for autonomous vehicles do not accurately account for vehicle type differences, leading to inefficient and potentially inaccurate navigation, and existing sensor testing methods are inefficient due to the need for expensive GPS and large sensor arrays, making factory testing of sensor PCBs challenging.
Innovation Solution
A sensor unit test board is used to emulate sensor data and validate the functionality of sensor units, including GPS, LIDAR, and other sensors, allowing for testing without the need for actual sensor arrays and enabling efficient detection of errors through format conversion and error checking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS and complete sensor arrays are used for factory testing, then testing accuracy is improved, but cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses emulated sensors that generate simulated sensor data to replace actual expensive sensors (GPS, LIDAR, RADAR, cameras) during factory testing. This copying approach allows comprehensive testing of sensor PCBs without requiring physical installation in the autonomous vehicle, thereby maintaining testing accuracy while reducing system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sensor interface board as an intermediary component that connects the emulated sensors to the sensor PCB under test. This intermediary enables data transmission and format validation without requiring the complete sensor array or GPS satellite line-of-sight, resolving the contradiction between testing completeness and system simplicity.
2Reliability
If sensor PCB is installed in ADV for testing, then testing completeness is improved, but testing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the testing process into two independent parts: the sensor PCB under test and the testing system with emulated sensors. This segmentation allows the sensor PCB to be tested separately on a workbench without physical installation in the autonomous vehicle, enabling parallel testing of multiple PCBs and significantly improving testing efficiency while maintaining reliability through comprehensive I/O channel validation.
Solution Approach 2:
By using emulated sensors that copy the behavior of real sensors, the patent enables complete testing of sensor data processing pathways without requiring actual sensor arrays or vehicle installation. This copying approach maintains testing completeness while allowing rapid, efficient testing procedures to be performed outside the vehicle.
3Device complexity
If conventional motion planning is applied to all vehicle types, then system simplicity is improved, but navigation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic motion planning that adapts to different vehicle types (e.g., cars, trucks, buses) by adjusting planning parameters based on vehicle-specific characteristics such as dimensions, mass, and maneuverability. This dynamic approach maintains system simplicity through a unified control architecture while improving navigation accuracy through vehicle-type-specific parameter optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using a common motion planning framework for all vehicle types but customizing specific planning parameters and constraints for each vehicle type. This allows the system to maintain overall simplicity while achieving high navigation accuracy through localized adjustments to acceleration profiles, turning radii, and speed limits appropriate to each vehicle's physical characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for performing manufacturing testing on an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) sensor board. A sensor unit of the ADV includes a plurality of sensor I/O channels that provide information to the ADV perception and planning module, to navigate the ADV. An array of sensors is emulated on a sensor unit test board. The sensor unit includes a small software that manages the flow of testing the sensor unit. The sensor unit test board provides emulated sensor data for, e.g., GPS, LIDAR, RADAR, inertial measurement, one or more cameras, humidity, temperature, and pressure, and throttle, braking, and steering inputs. Each emulated sensor includes its own data validity checker to ensure that each sensor I/O channel of the sensor unit is tested. The sensor unit test board can include an LED for each I/O channel that indicates a pass/fail status of the test for the I/O channel.