Mini Integrated Control Device for Autonomous Robots
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional control systems for processing large-scale sensor data in autonomous driving robots are inefficient due to slow data transmission rates, leading to reduced accuracy in calculations as they share data among multiple PCs, resulting in significant size and volume issues.
Innovation Solution
A mini integrated control device with a first control unit for parallel data processing, a second control unit for environment recognition, a micro control unit for monitoring and communication, and a power supply, utilizing a gigabit Ethernet switch and RS232 communication to enhance data transmission and processing speed, and incorporating Xeon processor and Xeon Phi co-processor boards for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple PCs are connected via gigabit Ethernet switch to process large-scale sensor data, then data processing capability is improved, but data transmission rate is reduced from theoretical 100 MB/s to actual 50 MB/s
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple PC systems into a single integrated control device with a unified processor architecture. This consolidation eliminates the network transmission bottleneck between multiple PCs while maintaining parallel processing capabilities through multi-core processors, thereby achieving both high data processing capability and high data transmission rate simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dedicated high-speed communication bus (PCIe) as an intermediary between the sensor interface and processing units, replacing the gigabit Ethernet switch as the data transmission mediator. This intermediary provides a direct high-speed pathway that eliminates the 50 MB/s limitation while supporting parallel data processing operations.
2Productivity
If critical frames are selected from large-scale sensor data to share with other PCs, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but calculation accuracy is reduced due to lower resolution data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing task into different levels: raw sensor data is processed in full resolution by the integrated control device, while only processed results or summarized data are transmitted to other systems. This segmentation allows maintaining high accuracy in the primary processing location while improving transmission efficiency at the secondary level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the data resolution parameter dynamically based on processing needs. High-resolution data is maintained for critical calculations within the integrated device, while lower-resolution representations are used for communication with other systems. This parameter adaptation enables both high accuracy and efficient transmission without sacrificing either.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple PCs and external sensors are connected to form a control system, then functional capability is improved, but system size and volume become significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (sensor interfaces, processors, control units, and communication modules) into a single integrated control device. This merging maintains all necessary functional capabilities while dramatically reducing the overall system volume compared to distributed PC-based systems with multiple external sensors and components.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated control device is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate various sensor types and processing requirements through modular interfaces. This multi-functionality allows the single device to replace multiple specialized components, maintaining functional versatility while minimizing system size through consolidation.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a mini integrated control device including a first control unit for receiving large-scale sensor data generated while an autonomous driving robot is operated and performing large-scale calculations in parallel, a second control unit for performing the large-scale calculations in parallel together with the first control unit, a micro control unit for monitoring a state of power of the robot, monitoring obstacles located near the robot, controlling a motor of the robot, controlling a relay module of the robot, and communicating with the first control unit, and a power supply for controlling supply of power.