GPR Sensor Navigation with Parasitic Reflection Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotics navigation technologies, such as those using LIDAR sensors, face challenges with positional orientation errors, inability to detect low-profile objects, and inefficiencies in radar systems, particularly in complex or dark environments, and struggle to accurately determine the material and structure of surfaces.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device equipped with a compact ground-penetrating radar (GPR) sensor that reduces wiring length to minimize parasitic reflections, combined with an active sensor, dynamically modifies a database using GPR and active sensor data to improve path determination and object detection, enabling efficient navigation in various environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LIDAR sensor is used for robot navigation, then path planning and map generation are enabled, but positional orientation errors occur and low-profile objects cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines LIDAR sensor with ground-penetrating radar (GPR) sensor to create a hybrid sensing system. The LIDAR provides surface mapping and obstacle detection while the GPR detects subsurface structures and low-profile objects. This merging of sensors resolves the contradiction by maintaining navigation versatility while improving positional accuracy through multiple detection modalities that compensate for each other's limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The GPR sensor acts as an intermediary that detects subsurface features and low-profile objects that LIDAR cannot perceive. By introducing this intermediate detection layer, the system overcomes LIDAR's inability to detect certain objects and improves overall positional orientation accuracy without sacrificing navigation capability.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If conventional radar with antenna and wiring is used, then subsurface detection is enabled, but parasitic reflection from wiring reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the wiring component from the conventional radar system. By using a contactless GPR sensor that eliminates physical wiring connections, the system prevents parasitic reflections that would otherwise degrade signal quality. This extraction of the problematic wiring element maintains subsurface detection capability while significantly improving radar detection efficiency and reliability.
3Loss of information
If LIDAR is used to perceive environment, then navigation information is obtained, but objects with glass surface, black surface, or low profile are mis-perceived or undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges LIDAR's optical detection capabilities with GPR's electromagnetic wave penetration capabilities. While LIDAR excels at detecting reflective surfaces and geometric features, GPR complements it by detecting subsurface structures and objects with non-reflective surfaces (glass, black surfaces, low-profile objects). This combination reduces information loss and improves object detection accuracy across diverse surface types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from optical reflection (LIDAR) to electromagnetic wave penetration (GPR). This parameter change enables detection of objects that are invisible to optical sensors, such as those with glass surfaces, black surfaces, or low profiles. By utilizing different physical parameters for detection, the system achieves more complete environmental perception and higher detection accuracy.
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
The solution enhances the stability and efficiency of robotics navigation by accurately determining the location and structure of surfaces, detecting low-profile objects, and adapting to changing environments, even in the absence of cameras, thus improving path determination and navigation accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
emitting a signal in a direction of a surface by using a first sensor and receiving a signal reflected from a structure of the surface or a structure of a subsurface
Implementation Method 2
ground-penetrating radar (GPR) sensor
Implementation Method 3
receiving a signal reflected from a structure of the surface or a structure of a subsurface
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device and a method of determining a path of the electronic device is provided. The method includes emitting a signal in a direction of a surface and receiving a signal reflected from the surface or a subsurface, obtaining an image of a structure of the surface or a structure of the subsurface, based on the received signal; when it is possible to determine a location of the electronic device based on the obtained image and an image pre-stored in the electronic device, determining the location of the electronic device, and when it is impossible to determine the location of the electronic device based on the obtained image and the image pre-stored in the electronic device, obtaining surrounding environment information of the electronic device by using a second sensor and determining the location of the electronic device.