Vehicle Radar Blockage Detection via Camera-Radar Object Intersection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar systems in vehicles face challenges in accurately detecting blockages under adverse weather conditions, making it difficult to determine if the radar system is malfunctioning, which can lead to incorrect object detection and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that combine radar and camera data to detect blockages by comparing the intersection of objects detected by both systems, using dynamic threshold adjustments based on sensor quality indicators to determine if the radar system is blocked, and ensuring reliable detection by cross-checking data from both systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radar data alone is used to detect objects, then the radar system can operate independently, but the reliability of object detection deteriorates under adverse weather conditions due to blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines radar data and camera data into a fused detection system. The object detection unit integrates results from both radar-based object detection and camera-based object detection, creating a more reliable detection system that compensates for the weaknesses of individual sensors under adverse weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a blockage detection unit as an intermediary that analyzes the consistency between radar and camera detection results. This unit determines whether the radar system is blocked by comparing expected object positions from camera data with actual radar detections, thereby mediating the reliability issue without requiring direct modification of the radar hardware.
2Reliability
If radar and camera data are fused to detect blockages, then the reliability of blockage detection improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The object detection unit performs multiple functions: it detects objects using radar data, detects objects using camera data, and simultaneously determines whether the radar system is blocked by comparing these results. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated blockage detection hardware, thereby managing complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own detection results from both radar and camera systems to self-diagnose blockage conditions. The blockage detection is performed by analyzing the consistency between independently obtained detection results, allowing the system to self-verify its operational status without external intervention or additional complex sensing infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If dynamic threshold adjustment is used based on sensor quality indicators, then the measurement precision of blockage detection improves, but the complexity of data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment where the object detection threshold is adapted based on the quality of sensor data. The system determines data quality indicators from both radar and camera inputs and dynamically adjusts the threshold for blockage detection accordingly, allowing precise detection under varying weather conditions while using adaptive rather than static processing rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes processing parameters (detection thresholds) based on the quality of input data from radar and camera systems. When sensor quality degrades due to adverse weather, the thresholds are adjusted to maintain optimal detection performance, thereby improving measurement precision through parameter adaptation rather than through more complex algorithms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a method for detecting blockage of a radar system (2) of a vehicle (V), the method comprising the steps: collecting (S100) radar data by the radar system (2), and collecting camera data by a camera system (3) of the vehicle (V); detecting (S200) a first set of objects (S01) in the surrounding of the vehicle (V) based on the camera data, and detecting a second set of objects (SO2) in the surrounding of the vehicle (V) based on the radar data; determining (S300) a third set of objects (SO3) as an intersection of the first set of objects (SO1) and the second set of objects (SO2); and detecting (S400) blockage of the radar system (2) depending on the third set of objects (SO3).