LiDAR Drop Strategy for Channel Congestion in Autonomous Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles equipped with LIDAR devices face communication channel congestion due to excessive data points, leading to timely and unsuccessful transmission of data, which can hinder the vehicle's ability to determine its environment effectively.
Innovation Solution
A computing system associated with the LIDAR device engages in a drop process, discarding or preventing the emission of data points and light pulses based on an intelligent strategy determined by analyzing the vehicle's environment, operation, and LIDAR device operation, to alleviate channel congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the LIDAR device transmits all generated data points via the communication channel, then the computing device can receive complete environmental information, but the bandwidth-limited communication channel becomes congested and transmission fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and transmits only the most critical data points that are essential for safe autonomous vehicle operation, leaving non-essential data points to be discarded. This selective extraction approach ensures that the limited communication bandwidth is used efficiently to transmit only the most valuable information, resolving the contradiction between transmitting complete data and maintaining reliable communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality standards to different data points based on their importance. Critical data points (such as those representing obstacles or important environmental features) are transmitted with high priority, while less important data points are discarded. This local quality differentiation allows the system to maintain high information quality for essential data while managing communication bandwidth effectively.
2Measurement precision
If the LIDAR device emits light pulses continuously to generate comprehensive data points, then the environmental scanning coverage is maximized, but the communication channel congestion worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by selectively emitting light pulses only in directions or regions where environmental information is most needed for safe vehicle operation. Instead of continuously scanning all directions with equal intensity, the system focuses scanning resources on critical areas, generating sufficient data for safe operation while reducing the total volume of data points that need to be transmitted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the parameters of light pulse emission based on the vehicle's operational context, such as adjusting the scanning frequency, angle, or intensity depending on detected objects or environmental conditions. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain high measurement precision for critical measurements while reducing overall data generation volume during periods when full scanning is not necessary.
3Productivity
If the computing system discards data points to reduce transmission load, then the communication channel congestion is alleviated, but the environmental information completeness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the computing system continuously monitors the vehicle's operational state, detected objects, and environmental conditions to dynamically determine which data points are essential for safe operation. This feedback-driven selection process ensures that discarded data points are those that are least likely to impact safety, while critical information is retained and transmitted, thus maintaining information completeness for essential decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary analysis and classification of data points before transmission decisions are made. By pre-identifying and prioritizing critical data points based on their potential impact on vehicle safety and operation, the system can confidently discard non-critical data without compromising environmental information completeness. This preliminary sorting action enables efficient transmission of only the most valuable information.
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 ensures that only useful data points are transmitted, reducing bandwidth consumption and maintaining the vehicle's ability to determine its environment accurately, thereby enhancing autonomous operation.
Implementation Method 1
Individual points in the point cloud can be determined by emitting a light pulse and detecting a returning light pulse, if any, reflected from an object in the environment
Implementation Method 2
determining the distance to the object according to the time delay between the emitted light pulse and the detection of the reflected returning light pulse
Data Source
AI summary
Example implementations may relate to determining a strategy for a drop process associated with a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device. In particular, the LIDAR device could emit light pulses and detect return light pulses, and could generate a set of data points representative of the detected return light pulses. The drop process could involve a computing system discarding data point(s) of the set and/or preventing emission of light pulse(s) by the LIDAR device. Accordingly, the computing system could detect a trigger to engage in the drop process, and may responsively (i) use information associated with the environment around the vehicle, operation of the vehicle, and/or operation of the LIDAR device as a basis to determine the strategy for the drop process, and (ii) engage in the drop process in accordance with the determined strategy.