Image Sensor Shutter Monitoring for Vehicle Soft Error Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicular electronic systems face challenges in achieving high Automotive Safety Integrity Levels (ASIL) due to unaccounted soft errors from neutron flux, which conventional methods like DRAM error detection and redundancy are costly or impractical to implement.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing existing image sensors with closed shutters to measure neutron flux-induced soft error rates, enabling dynamic implementation of error detection and correction algorithms without additional hardware or software components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DRAM components are added to implement error detection and correction, then system reliability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reuses existing DRAM components already present in the system for their primary storage function, and simultaneously leverages them for error detection and correction purposes. The existing DRAM cells serve dual roles: data storage and neutron flux sensing, eliminating the need for additional dedicated error correction hardware while maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing DRAM components perform multiple functions: they continue to serve as primary memory storage while also functioning as sensors for detecting neutron flux and estimating soft error rates. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to achieve error detection and correction capabilities without adding separate dedicated components
2Reliability
If advanced error detection and correction algorithms are implemented using existing DRAM, then system reliability is improved, but available memory capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its existing DRAM components to perform self-diagnosis and self-protection functions. By monitoring soft error rates through the DRAM's natural response to neutron flux, the system can dynamically activate error correction only when needed, rather than continuously consuming memory capacity for redundancy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic error correction where the system continuously estimates soft error rates based on neutron flux measurements from the DRAM. Error detection and correction algorithms are activated only when the estimated error rate exceeds thresholds, allowing the system to adapt memory usage and correction intensity based on real-time environmental conditions rather than using fixed redundancy
3Measurement precision
If conventional neutron ground monitors are used to measure neutron flux, then measurement precision is improved, but device weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the existing DRAM components into self-serving sensors that naturally respond to neutron flux. The DRAM cells themselves become the measurement instrument, eliminating the need for external neutron monitors. The measurement capability emerges from the DRAM's inherent physical response to radiation rather than requiring separate sensing hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the DRAM components as an intermediary between the neutron flux environment and the system controller. Instead of directly measuring neutron flux with specialized equipment, the system observes the DRAM's response to neutron exposure and uses this information to estimate soft error rates and activate appropriate protection measures
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
Achieves target ASIL levels by dynamically compensating for soft errors, minimizing the need for expensive hardware and software components, and continuously maintaining system integrity.
Implementation Method 1
one or more photodetectors among the plurality of pixels of at least one image sensor are detected to be excited beyond a predetermined excitation threshold
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are mechanisms and methods for maintaining and/or achieving a target Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) level for a vehicle. One or more shutters of one or more corresponding image sensors of the vehicle may be repeatedly closed at a predetermined rate. While the shutters are closed, output values of each image sensor may be measured. A soft error rate may be determined for the vehicle based on the measurement of the output values, and one or more system countermeasures sufficient to maintain and/or achieve a target ASIL level based at least on the soft error rate may be implemented.