Vehicle Radar Sensor Calibration via Conveyor Reflector Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar sensor calibration methods for vehicles are either manual, which is time-intensive and impractical, or require complex automatic calibration during operation, making them unsuitable for efficient calibration in production environments like factory sites where vehicles need to drive autonomously.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that fix a vehicle on a transport, such as a conveyor belt, and use a reflector to determine the position and alignment of the radar sensor through reflected radar waves, enabling spatial calibration and facilitating automated calibration, which can also calibrate other sensors like GPS and cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual calibration is used to precisely align the radar sensor with the vehicle's geometrical drive axis, then calibration precision is improved, but calibration time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical alignment process with an automated optical measurement system. A laser scanner creates a point cloud of the vehicle, and software automatically calculates the radar sensor's position and orientation relative to the vehicle's coordinate system, eliminating time-consuming manual adjustments while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (point cloud) of the vehicle's physical structure using laser scanning. This digital model is then used for automated calibration calculations, allowing multiple calibration operations to be performed rapidly without physical repositioning of equipment, thus reducing calibration time while preserving accuracy.
2Productivity
If automatic calibration during vehicle operation is implemented, then calibration efficiency is improved, but system complexity and reliability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs calibration准备工作 in advance by creating a detailed point cloud model of the vehicle's geometry and pre-calculating the radar sensor's mounting position and orientation. This preliminary digital preparation enables rapid calibration verification during operation without requiring complex real-time measurement systems, thus improving efficiency while controlling system complexity.
3Reliability
If external vehicle control systems are installed on production lines, then system availability is improved, but installation complexity and calibration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the external vehicle control system to perform self-calibration by automatically processing laser scanner data to determine its own mounting parameters. The system independently calculates its position and orientation relative to the vehicle without requiring manual intervention or complex external calibration equipment, thus improving availability while simplifying installation on production lines.
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
This method allows for rapid and precise calibration of radar sensors, enabling autonomous vehicle operation and increasing the availability and ease of installation of external vehicle control systems, while avoiding the limitations of manual and complex automatic calibration methods.
Implementation Method 1
Through the emission of radar waves, i.e., electromagnetic waves, otherwise known as a primary signal, and the reflection of these electromagnetic waves at an object, the reflective component of the radar waves, also known as a secondary signal, is evaluated
Data Source
AI summary
A method for calibrating a radar sensor of a vehicle includes fixing the vehicle in place on a transport; moving the vehicle along a route past a reflector for radar waves using the transport; irradiating the reflector with radar waves and receiving reflected radar waves using the radar sensor while the vehicle is moved along the route; determining a position and/or an alignment of the radar sensor relative to the reflector multiple times based on the reflected radar waves; and spatially calibrating the radar sensor based on the ascertained positions and alignments relative to the reflector by ascertaining a position and/or an alignment of the radar sensor relative to the vehicle.