On-Board Synchronization Device for Smart Machine Sensor Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart machines, such as autonomous vehicles and robots, face challenges in achieving accurate positioning and perception due to inconsistent clock sources and triggering times among sensors, leading to delayed timestamps and difficulties in data alignment during fusion processes.
Innovation Solution
An on-board synchronization device that synchronizes the built-in clocks of various on-board devices using Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) signals and Pulse Per Second (PPS) signals, ensuring all devices use a unified clock source and are triggered simultaneously for data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different clock sources are used in different sensors and processors, then each device can operate independently, but timestamp delays occur and data alignment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a unified time synchronization system where all sensors and processors use a common clock source (GPS discipline oscillator) to generate timestamps. This universal time reference ensures that all devices operate independently yet maintain consistent timing, resolving the contradiction between independent operation and timestamp accuracy.
2Productivity
If different types of sensors collect data at different frequencies, then each sensor can optimize its data collection, but triggering times become inconsistent and data alignment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a periodic triggering mechanism based on a unified clock source, where all sensors are triggered at synchronized intervals. This periodic action with consistent timing allows each sensor to collect data at its optimal frequency while maintaining alignment through the common periodic reference, reducing data alignment complexity.
3Ease of operation
If processors use received time as timestamp instead of actual collection time, then processing is simplified, but positioning and perception accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having all sensors stamp their data with timestamps generated from a unified clock source at the moment of data collection. This pre-synchronization of timing information eliminates the need for complex post-processing time adjustments and ensures accurate positioning and perception results while maintaining processing simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an on-board synchronization device. The on-board synchronization device includes: a first circuit and at least one second circuit. The first circuit is configured to receive an initial signal containing Universal Time Coordinated (UTC), generate a first signal containing the UTC, and output the first signal to at least one on-board device, such that the at least one on-board device synchronizes its built-in clock with the UTC based on the first signal. The second circuit is configured to receive a Pulse Per Second (PPS) signal, generate a periodic second signal with a same phase as the PPS signal, and output the second signal or the PPS signal to the at least one on-board device, such that the at least one on-board device performs a predetermined action based on the second signal or the PPS signal.