Vehicle Occupancy Sampling Rate Control Under ECU Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Safety systems in automotive vehicles face an undesirable computational burden due to the accumulation and processing of occupancy data, which can impact performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically adjust the sampling rate of occupancy data based on vehicle speed and the presence of interrupt conditions, allowing for adaptive sampling rates (low, medium, and high) to manage computational demands, with the option to transfer workload from a primary ECU to secondary ECUs when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If occupancy data is continuously sampled at a high rate to ensure safety monitoring accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but computational burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sampling rate adjustment based on vehicle operating conditions. The sampling rate transitions from a first rate during normal operation to a second higher rate when interrupt conditions are detected (such as safety events or critical occupancy changes). This dynamic adaptation ensures high measurement precision is maintained only when necessary, thereby reducing overall computational burden while preserving safety monitoring accuracy.
2Reliability
If sampling rate is increased to capture rapid occupancy changes during high-speed driving, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic sampling at variable intervals rather than continuous high-rate sampling. During normal driving conditions, occupancy data is sampled at a lower first rate, conserving energy. When interrupt conditions occur (such as rapid deceleration, safety system activations, or critical occupancy events), the sampling rate increases to a second higher rate to reliably capture rapid changes. This periodic adaptation of sampling frequency maintains safety system reliability while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous high-rate sampling.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a sampling rate of occupancy data for a vehicle includes determining a vehicle speed and detecting whether an interrupt condition is present. If the speed is within a first speed range and no interrupt condition is detected, then a first sampling rate is selected for sampling the occupancy data. If the speed is within a second speed range that is higher than the first speed range, and/or if the interrupt condition is detected, then a second sampling rate which is faster than the first sampling rate is selected for sampling the occupancy data. A primary electronic control unit (ECU) may be configured for sampling the occupancy data. If the second sampling rate is selected and a computational demand of the primary ECU exceeds a predetermined threshold, then a portion of the computational demand may be transferred to one or more secondary ECUs for sampling the data.