Lidar-Camera Synchronization Module for Adaptive Trigger Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous driving vehicles face challenges in synchronizing Lidar and camera sensors due to harsh environmental conditions, leading to data quality issues and misalignment, which affects their ability to accurately sense the surrounding environment.
Innovation Solution
A sensor synchronization module with a hardware design that provides flexible and redundant signal control, using multiple levels of status monitoring and feedback mechanisms to adjust control signals for Lidar and camera sensors, ensuring synchronized data capture and reducing temporal misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional software-based synchronization is used, then system complexity is reduced, but synchronization accuracy and reliability deteriorate under harsh environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated sensor synchronization module as an intermediary hardware component between the Lidar and camera sensors. This module receives control signals, generates precise trigger signals, and coordinates the operation of both sensors. By inserting this intermediary layer, the system achieves hardware-level synchronization control that is more reliable than software-based methods, while the modular design keeps the added complexity manageable and localized to a single component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed control signals are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to environmental changes and sensor drift deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the synchronization module continuously monitors the operational status of both Lidar and camera sensors, detects timing drifts and environmental variations, and dynamically adjusts the control signals accordingly. This closed-loop control enables the system to adapt to changing conditions such as temperature variations and sensor aging, maintaining synchronization accuracy without requiring complex manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The control signals generated by the synchronization module are designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. The module can adjust timing parameters, trigger frequencies, and synchronization offsets in real-time based on sensor performance and environmental conditions. This dynamic control approach allows the system to maintain optimal synchronization across varying operating conditions while keeping the overall architecture relatively simple.
3Reliability
If multiple control signals are used for redundant control, then synchronization reliability is improved, but signal management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions and signal generation capabilities into a single integrated sensor synchronization module. Instead of managing separate control signals from different sources, the module consolidates trigger signal generation, timing control, and coordination functions for both Lidar and camera into one unified component. This merging approach maintains reliability through redundant control paths while simplifying signal management by providing a single point of control.
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 improves the stability and accuracy of sensor data synchronization, enhancing the vehicle's ability to accurately perceive its environment and maintain reliable operation under dynamic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Lidar uses ultraviolet, visible, or near infrared light to image objects
Implementation Method 2
A Lidar sensor determines ranges (variable distance) by targeting an object or a surface with a laser and measuring the time for the reflected light to return to the receiver
Implementation Method 3
A camera may sense light in its surroundings and generate images based on the sensed light
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a computing device of an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) is configured to determine a first control signal for a light detection and ranging (Lidar) sensor of the ADV and a second control signal for a camera of the ADV, provide the first control signal to the Lidar sensor and the second control signal to the camera, and process Lidar output of the Lidar sensor and camera output of the camera to detect one or more features of the Lidar output or camera output. In response to detecting the one or more features, the computing device is to adjust the first control signal or the second control signal.