Obstacle Determination Device Using Radar Null Point Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collision prediction devices face increased control load and accuracy issues when determining obstacles on slopes, as they struggle to differentiate between subjacent objects on descending slopes and collision targets on flat roads using radar output, leading to potential mistaken determinations.
Innovation Solution
An obstacle determination device that analyzes the distance between null points in radar output waveforms to differentiate between collision targets and subjacent objects on slopes, using a reference zone and threshold values to accurately assess collision likelihood, thereby reducing control load and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If slope determination means is added to differentiate subjacent objects from collision targets, then obstacle determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity and control load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and utilizes only the radar output information that is already available in the collision prediction device, specifically the reception intensity waveform. By analyzing the distance between null points in this existing radar output, the system differentiates subjacent objects from collision targets without adding external sensors or complex determination means, thus improving accuracy while avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The radar output waveform itself provides the information needed for differentiation. The null points and their distances in the reception intensity waveform contain the characteristics needed to identify whether an obstacle is a subjacent object or collision target. The system uses the radar's own output data for self-diagnosis and differentiation, eliminating the need for separate slope determination means
2Productivity
If radar output analysis is used to differentiate obstacles, then control load is reduced, but obstacle determination accuracy may deteriorate due to multipath interference
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful multipath interference into a useful characteristic for differentiation. The multipath causes null points in the reception intensity waveform, and the distance between these null points becomes the key parameter for identifying subjacent objects versus collision targets. By utilizing the pattern created by multipath interference rather than treating it as noise, the system achieves accurate differentiation while maintaining simple radar-only analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the analysis parameter from general reception intensity to the specific parameter of null point distance. By focusing on the distance between null points in the radar waveform rather than overall signal strength, the system creates a new discriminative parameter that effectively differentiates obstacle types while using only the existing radar output data
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 collision determination accuracy by preventing mistaken identification of subjacent objects on slopes as collision targets, allowing for precise collision prediction using only radar output, thus reducing the control load associated with collision determination.
Implementation Method 1
detection of an obstacle in front of a vehicle is performed by detecting a reflected wave from the obstacle by a radar
Implementation Method 2
since the reflected wave from the obstacle is affected by multipath, a null point where a reception intensity of the reflected wave decreases
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
Disclosed is an obstacle determination device (1) including a driving assistance ECU (3) that determines collision with an obstacle detected by output of a radar (2) mounted on a vehicle and performs driving assistance for the vehicle. When a distance of a null-point zone divided by null points where the output of the radar (2) is low is represented as a distance between the null points, the driving assistance ECU (3) determines, in a distant zone that is away from a reference zone that is the null-point zone nearest to a host vehicle in a predetermined range, if the null-point zone of the distance between the null points shorter than the distance between the null points in the reference zone is detected by a predetermined number or more, that the host vehicle does not collide with the detected obstacle.