Radar Sensor Reference Data Storage for Fast Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radar sensors face challenges in efficiently detecting surroundings, especially in repeated routes, due to high computational and storage requirements, leading to slower reaction times in critical traffic situations, and often require degradation of detection performance for faster processing.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where radar sensors store reference data for frequently traveled routes, allowing for reduced evaluation effort by focusing on relevant features and using this data to improve object tracking and detection accuracy, thereby optimizing computing and memory performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If radar sensors perform full evaluation of currently recorded radar data, then detection accuracy is maintained, but processing time increases and reaction time in critical situations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidreaction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The radar sensor pre-determines and stores reference data describing static features (buildings, trees, road infrastructure) during initial scanning of the environment. This preliminary action creates a reference framework that eliminates the need to re-evaluate static features during subsequent radar data processing, allowing the system to focus computational resources only on detecting dynamic objects and changes, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while significantly reducing processing time and improving reaction time in critical situations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If radar sensors process all radar data in detail, then comprehensive detection is achieved, but computing power requirements and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection comprehensivenessVSAvoidcomputing power requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radar data processing is segmented into two distinct components: static features (buildings, trees, infrastructure) and dynamic objects (vehicles, pedestrians, animals). The control device separates the evaluation of currently recorded radar data by comparing it against stored reference data of static features. This segmentation allows the system to process only the dynamic portions of radar data in real-time, significantly reducing computing power requirements and device complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Speed

If radar sensors store reference data for multiple routes, then detection speed on familiar routes improves, but memory requirements and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection speedVSAvoidmemory requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The stored reference data serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a geographic map of the environment, a baseline for detecting static features, and a reference framework for identifying dynamic objects. By creating a universal reference data structure that can be applied across multiple routes and detection scenarios, the system achieves fast detection speeds on familiar routes without proportionally increasing memory requirements. The same reference data set supports route recognition, object detection, and change detection across diverse driving conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3091368B1Method for operation of a radar sensor in a motor vehicle, radar sensor and motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2017.11.08 AUDI AG
  • EP3091368B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3091368B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Method for operating a radar sensor (3) used for environmental perception for a motor vehicle (6), wherein reference data describing static features perceptible by the radar sensor (6) for at least one distance traveled by the motor vehicle (6) are determined and stored within the radar sensor (6), taking into account radar data recorded along the route, wherein when at least one section of a route for which reference data has been stored is traveled again, the evaluation of currently recorded radar data is carried out in a cost-reduced manner, taking into account the reference data.