Radar Positioning With Subsurface Reflective Patterns for Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle positioning systems are vulnerable to failure in adverse environmental conditions and rely on fixed features that may not be visible or permanent, making them unreliable for tasks like parking and maneuvering.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle positioning system using a radar antenna array that transmits and receives radar signals from reflective patterns beneath or on the surface, analyzing reflections to determine vehicle position and guide it into a desired location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If LiDAR sensors and optical cameras are used for vehicle positioning, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates in adverse environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical-based positioning systems (LiDAR and cameras) with a radar-based system that uses electromagnetic waves to detect subsurface reflective patterns. This substitution allows the system to penetrate adverse environmental conditions like snow and darkness, maintaining both measurement precision and reliability where optical systems fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces subsurface reflective patterns as an intermediary medium between the radar system and the vehicle positioning objective. These patterns, embedded in the road surface or subsurface, act as reliable reference markers that radar can detect through various environmental conditions, providing consistent positioning data regardless of surface visibility.
2Ease of operation
If fixed features such as lane markers are used for navigation, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when features are obscured or moved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from surface-level navigation markers (2D plane) to subsurface reflective patterns (3D depth dimension). By embedding patterns below the road surface, the system creates navigation references that are protected from environmental obscuration while maintaining ease of operation through automated radar detection and positioning.
3Reliability
If radar signals are used to detect subsurface patterns, then reliability is improved in adverse conditions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a radar antenna array that can perform multiple functions: transmitting radar signals, receiving reflections from subsurface patterns, and providing positioning data. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensing and positioning systems, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining high reliability in adverse conditions.
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 precise vehicle positioning resilient to environmental changes, ensuring accurate navigation and maneuvering even when fixed features are obscured.
Implementation Method 1
a radar antenna array and a radar operating system. The radar antenna array may be configured to transmit and receive radar signals
Implementation Method 2
receive reflection signals from a reflective pattern located beneath the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning system for a vehicle having a radar antenna array and a radar operating system, the radar antenna array transmitting and receiving radar signals and the radar operating system (i) driving the antenna arrays to emit radar signals and receive reflection signals from a reflective pattern located beneath the vehicle and (ii) analyzing the received reflection signals to ascertain a vehicle position relative to the reflective pattern.