Multi-Radar Phase Interferometry Alignment for Vehicle Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle radar alignment systems only align the central, front-facing radar device effectively, leading to potential misalignment of other radar devices, which can negatively impact adaptive cruise control and autonomous driving features, requiring a more efficient and accurate method for multi-radar vehicle alignment.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing relative phase interferometry with a plurality of alignment devices and a controller to perform base and secondary alignment routines, determining phase differences between radar waves, and generating instructions for adjusting the alignment of multiple radar devices, either manually or automatically, to ensure precise alignment of front-facing, side-facing, and rear-facing radar devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional alignment systems are used to align only the central front-facing radar device, then the alignment process is simple and fast for a single radar, but the other radar devices remain misaligned, negatively impacting vehicle operation features
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment system uses a single alignment device that serves multiple functions: it performs base alignment for the central radar and secondary alignment for multiple other radar devices. The controller coordinates this one alignment device to sequentially align all radar devices on the vehicle, making the system universal rather than requiring separate alignment devices for each radar.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the base alignment and secondary alignment processes into a unified alignment system. The alignment device and controller work together to perform both types of alignment using the same hardware infrastructure, merging what could have been separate alignment systems into one integrated solution.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple radar devices are aligned using conventional methods, then alignment precision improves, but the alignment process becomes slower and more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs base alignment of the central radar device first as a preliminary step. This base alignment establishes a reference framework that enables subsequent secondary alignment of other radar devices to be performed more efficiently, as they can use the already-aligned central radar as a reference point.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment system uses feedback from phase difference measurements to iteratively adjust radar device alignments. The controller receives phase difference data from the alignment device, compares it to expected values, and generates adjustment instructions to minimize alignment errors, creating a closed-loop feedback system that improves precision without proportionally increasing time.
3Manufacturing precision
If extensive vehicle assembly plant space is used for alignment operations, then alignment accuracy improves, but the required facility space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from spatial separation (using physically distant alignment devices for different radars) to temporal sequencing (using one alignment device at multiple positions over time). The single alignment device moves to different locations around the vehicle sequentially, utilizing the time dimension rather than requiring all alignment devices to be simultaneously present in large space.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that coordinates the alignment device's movements and operations. Rather than requiring multiple independent alignment devices operating in parallel across large space, the controller manages a single alignment device to serve multiple radar devices through coordinated sequential operations.
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 faster and more accurate alignment of multiple radar devices, improving vehicle operation features without the need for extensive vehicle assembly plant space, enhancing radar performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of alignment devices configured to transmit or reflect radar waves towards the vehicle for receipt by the plurality of radar devices
Implementation Method 2
determine actual phase differences between the reflected radar waves
Data Source
AI summary
An alignment system and method for a vehicle having a plurality of radar devices utilize a plurality of alignment devices configured to transmit or reflect radar waves towards the vehicle for receipt by the plurality of radar devices and a controller configured to command one of the plurality of alignment devices to perform a base alignment routine of one of the plurality of radar devices to obtain a base alignment, receive, via the plurality of radar devices, reflected radar waves, determine actual phase differences between the reflected radar waves, and based on the determined actual phase differences between the reflected radar waves, the base alignment, and predetermined alignments of a remainder of the plurality of radar devices, generate and output instructions for adjusting the alignment of at least some of the remainder of the plurality of radar devices.