LIDAR Camera Sensor Data Synchronization for Driverless Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current driverless vehicle control systems face challenges in synchronizing data from LIDAR and camera sensors due to different data formats and collection frequencies, leading to separate processing of sensor data without merging.
Innovation Solution
A data acquisition method and apparatus that acquires and stores data packets from LIDAR and camera sensors in synchronized time windows, with the LIDAR sensor's collection period set as a first period, allowing real-time data processing and storage, and adjusting the time window based on elapsed time to ensure aligned storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If data from LIDAR and camera sensors are processed separately due to different data formats and collection frequencies, then the processing complexity is reduced, but the environment identifying accuracy and system stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data synchronization mechanism as an intermediary layer between LIDAR and camera sensors. This mechanism uses time window synchronization and data packet tagging to bridge the gap between different sensor data formats and collection frequencies, enabling merged processing without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the data processing approach by changing the parameter of data organization from separate continuous streams to synchronized time-windowed packets. By tagging data packets with time window identifiers and using buffer storage, the system accommodates different collection frequencies (LIDAR: 10Hz, camera: 20-50Hz) while enabling integrated processing
2Reliability
If LIDAR sensor collection frequency is increased to match camera sensor frequency, then data synchronization is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary data buffering and time window synchronization before merging sensor data. By pre-organizing data packets with time window tags and using buffer storage, the system achieves synchronization without requiring the LIDAR sensor to operate at higher frequencies, thus avoiding increased energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic data acquisition approach where the system adapts to different sensor collection frequencies rather than forcing uniform sampling. The time window synchronization mechanism dynamically aligns data from LIDAR (10Hz) and camera (20-50Hz) sensors without requiring frequency matching, preserving energy while achieving reliability
3Device complexity
If separate processing is used for LIDAR and camera data, then hardware requirements are reduced, but the control system stability deteriorates when a single sensor is abnormal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges LIDAR and camera sensor data processing into a unified framework while maintaining separate hardware operation. By synchronizing data packets using time window tags and enabling merged processing, the system achieves cross-validation of sensor data, improving reliability when a single sensor is abnormal without complicating hardware configuration
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 approach enables synchronized storage of data packets from LIDAR and camera sensors, improving the accuracy and stability of the driverless vehicle's environment identification and control system.
Implementation Method 1
The LIDAR sensor scans the surrounding environment of the driverless vehicle by using laser and generates point cloud data
Implementation Method 2
The camera sensor may collect image information of the surrounding environment of the driverless vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a data acquisition method and apparatus for a driverless vehicle. The driverless vehicle is provided with a LIDAR sensor and a camera sensor, and the method of an embodiment comprises: acquiring a collection period of the LIDAR sensor as a first period; acquiring a start time of a current time window; executing following data processing steps: executing real-time acquiring and storing operations on data packets collected by the LIDAR sensor and the camera sensor after the start time of the current time window; and determining whether a following condition is met: the first period has elapsed from the start time of the current time window to a current time; setting the start time of the current time window to the current time in response to determining that the condition is met, and continuing executing the data processing steps. This embodiment realizes synchronized storage of data packets collected by the LIDAR sensor and data packets collected by the camera sensor in the driverless vehicle.