Radar Reflector Vehicle Tracking for Off-Road Convoy Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for autonomous vehicle convoy control are not applicable in agricultural settings due to the absence of defined driving lanes, limiting the ability to maintain consistent spacing and coordination between vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An arrangement comprising a first vehicle with radar reflectors and a second vehicle equipped with a radar sensor and transmitter, utilizing a data processing device to locate and track the reflectors, enabling precise positioning and control of the second vehicle to follow the first at a constant distance, even off-road.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radar-based adaptive cruise control systems are used, then distance measurement to vehicles ahead is improved, but the system cannot function in agricultural settings without defined driving lanes
Solution Approach 1:
Radar reflectors are introduced as intermediary objects mounted on the lead vehicle to mediate the radar detection process. These reflectors create strong, detectable radar signatures that enable the following vehicle's radar sensor to accurately detect position and maintain distance, even in agricultural settings without defined driving lanes where traditional lane marking-based guidance is unavailable
2Measurement precision
If lane markings or visual lane boundaries are used for guidance, then lateral positioning is improved, but this method is unavailable off-road in agricultural environments
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on natural or painted lane markings, the system creates artificial visual lane boundaries by mounting reflective strips or panels on the lead vehicle and following vehicle. These copied lane markers are detectable by cameras or other visual sensors, providing lateral positioning information in off-road agricultural environments where traditional lane markings do not exist
3Device complexity
If vehicles operate without coordinated positioning systems, then system complexity is reduced, but consistent spacing and coordination between vehicles cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
Complex mechanical positioning systems or sophisticated electronic coordination systems are replaced with a simple passive radar reflector system. The reflectors passively return radar signals to the following vehicle's sensor, enabling automatic distance measurement and spacing maintenance without requiring complex communication protocols, power consumption, or active electronic systems on either vehicle
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 accurate location and control of vehicles in agricultural environments, allowing for coordinated movement and consistent spacing in vehicle convoys without predefined lanes.
Implementation Method 1
The radar sensor is preferably configured to receive radar radiation emitted by the radar transmitter and reflected by an object. The first vehicle is equipped with pairs of radar reflectors. These are devices for reflecting radar radiation. The radar reflectors are designed to reflect the radar radiation emitted by the radar transmitter.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement having a data processing device and a second vehicle (103) which has at least one radar sensor (107); wherein the data processing device is designed to detect at least one radar reflector (105), which is attached to a first vehicle (101), in a signal of the at least radar sensor (107). The data processing device is designed to locate the at least one radar reflector (105) by means of the signal.