Vehicle Radar Interference Detection for Sensor Impairment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles face interference issues from nearby emitters that affect sensor performance, leading to impaired navigation due to undesired artifacts in sensor data from overlapping electromagnetic signals.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing signal interference to detect sensor impairments by evaluating spatial relationships and properties of external emitters, combined with additional sensor data and wireless communication to determine and address potential impairments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If sensor data is collected in environments with nearby emitters, then the sensor can gather more environmental information, but interference from overlapping electromagnetic signals impairs sensor performance and creates undesired artifacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental informationVSAvoidsensor performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using the interference pattern itself as a diagnostic tool. Instead of treating interference merely as noise to be eliminated, the system analyzes the characteristics of interfering signals to detect sensor impairments. The harmful interference is converted into useful information for identifying sensor faults, thereby transforming a detrimental effect into a beneficial diagnostic mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces signal processing algorithms as an intermediary between the raw sensor data and the final environmental information. These algorithms filter and analyze the overlapping electromagnetic signals, separating useful environmental information from harmful interference artifacts. The intermediary processing layer enables the system to tolerate the presence of multiple emitters while maintaining reliable sensor performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple emitters transmit signals in the same direction, then more data sources are available for navigation, but interference creates undesired artifacts that degrade sensor data quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata sourcesVSAvoidsensor data quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex interference signal into individual emitter components through signal processing. The system separates overlapping electromagnetic signals from multiple emitters, analyzing each component's characteristics independently. This segmentation enables precise identification of interference patterns and their sources, maintaining measurement precision even when multiple data sources are present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the vehicle navigates through areas with high emitter density, then more navigation options are available, but sensor impairment from interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation capabilityVSAvoidsensor impairment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring sensor data quality and comparing it against expected performance thresholds. When interference-induced impairment is detected, the system adjusts navigation decisions or triggers maintenance protocols. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the vehicle to maintain productive navigation in high-emitter-density areas by dynamically responding to sensor impairment conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enhances sensor performance by identifying and mitigating interference, allowing for improved navigation and maintenance of vehicle systems.

Implementation Method 1

a radar transceiver of the sensor system operable to transmit electromagnetic signals and to receive the electromagnetic signals that are reflected off of one or more objects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

Sensor data from a vehicle sensor can be impacted by interference that arises when other nearby emitters are also transmitting signals in the direction of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic signal reception and interference: Interference

Data Source

PatentEP4332614B1Methods and systems for using interference to detect sensor impairment

Publication Date: 2026.01.21 WAYMO LLC

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Figure 2C~2D

AI summary

Example embodiments relate to methods and systems for using interference to detect sensor impairment. Radar or another type of sensor on a vehicle may receive radio-frequency (RF) signals propagating in the environment. These RF signals may originate from an external source and a computing device can be used to determine a distance and an angle to the source in order to identify a power level threshold that represents an expected power associated with the RF signals. The computing device may then perform a comparison between a power level of the RF signals and a power level threshold. Based on the comparison, the computing device may decrease a confidence assigned to the radar coupled to the vehicle and control the vehicle based on the decreased confidence assigned to the radar.