Vehicle Radar Depth Detection for Low-Lying Target Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-board radar systems struggle to differentiate between low-lying targets, such as manhole covers, and non-low-lying targets, leading to uncertainty in determining whether a detected object is surmountable or collision-worthy, especially on varying road shapes.
Innovation Solution
A target detection apparatus and method that utilizes a radar sensor to determine the depth of detected targets by analyzing the variation and number of reflection points, with a depth determination value compared to a threshold to identify low-lying targets, allowing for differentiation regardless of road shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If radar waves are transmitted and received to detect target position and speed, then target detection capability is improved, but the ability to differentiate low-lying targets from non-low-lying targets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional detection (position and speed only) to three-dimensional detection by adding depth information. The radar apparatus now detects not only the position and speed of targets but also their depth dimension, enabling differentiation between low-lying targets (depth < threshold) and non-low-lying targets (depth ≥ threshold) based on the number and distribution of reflection points in the depth direction.
2Measurement precision
If null point generation pattern is used to estimate target height, then height estimation is improved, but reliability on varying road shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from reception power distribution (null point pattern) to the number and spatial distribution of reflection points. By counting reflection points and analyzing their distribution in the depth direction, the system can reliably identify low-lying targets regardless of road shape variations, overcoming the limitations of null point-based methods on slopes and curved roads.
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
Effectively identifies low-lying targets by determining their depth, enabling accurate differentiation from non-low-lying targets, thereby preventing potential collisions and ensuring safe navigation.
Implementation Method 1
a radar sensor that transmits and receives radar waves and detects the position and speed of reflection points that have reflected the radar waves
Data Source
AI summary
An on-vehicle target detection apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a radar sensing portion and a processing unit that processes information from the radar sensing portion. The processing unit detects a target that is present in the periphery of the vehicle based on detection results from the radar sensing portion, and determines a depth determination value indicating the depth of the target detected. The processing unit compares the depth determination threshold and a threshold set in advance and determines that the target is a low-lying target that is surmountable by the vehicle, when the depth determination value is determined to be less than the threshold.