Free-Space Optical Link Alignment for Autonomous Vehicle Log Uploading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in efficiently transferring large volumes of data to remote computing devices without human intervention, as existing methods are either slow or require complex wired connections that are prone to wear and tear.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing optical transmitters and receivers for free-space optical communication, where the vehicle autonomously aligns with a remote computing device's transmitters and receivers to establish an optical communication link, allowing for high-volume data transfer with reduced component wear and no need for cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired connections are used for data transfer, then connection reliability is improved, but component wear and tear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wired connections with free-space optical communication using light beams. The optical transmitters and receivers establish wireless optical links for data transfer, eliminating physical cable connections and associated wear and tear while maintaining reliable communication between the autonomous vehicle and remote computing devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical transmitters output multiple beams at different angles, then alignment flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical transmitter system is divided into multiple independent beam sources, each capable of transmitting at different angles. This segmentation allows the system to achieve flexible alignment coverage by combining simpler individual beam transmitters rather than using a single complex adjustable transmitter, resolving the contradiction between alignment flexibility and system complexity.
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
Enables faster and more reliable data transfer from autonomous vehicles to remote computing devices, reducing wear on components and eliminating the need for human intervention in alignment and connection processes.
Implementation Method 1
A system utilizing optical transmitters and receivers for free-space optical communication, where the vehicle autonomously aligns with a remote computing device's transmitters and receivers to establish an optical communication link
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure describes a system that includes a self-driving system for operating a vehicle autonomously, one or more optical transmitters mounted on the vehicle, and one or more computing devices in communication with the self-driving system and the one or more optical transmitters. The one or more computing devices are configured to operate the self-driving system to cause the vehicle to approach a designated location in proximity of a structure on which one or more receivers are mounted and determine that the one or more optical transmitters have an alignment with the one or more receivers. Then, the one or more computing devices are configured to operate the one or more optical transmitters to establish an optical communication link with the one or more receivers and transmit data to the one or more receivers over the optical communication link.