Vehicle Sensor Calibration Using Portable Rangefinding Fixture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensor calibration methods for vehicles require dedicated facilities and are inflexible, making it difficult to calibrate aftermarket sensors and reducing the portability and efficiency of the process.
Innovation Solution
A portable calibration fixture with rangefinding devices and a target system that allows for measuring angles and distances to known points on the vehicle, enabling the determination of the target's position and orientation, which is then used to calibrate the sensor, allowing for calibration outside dedicated facilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated calibration facilities are used, then calibration accuracy is ensured, but the footprint and complexity of the calibration process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system is segmented into a portable fixture with rangefinding devices and a separate target, allowing the calibration process to be divided into modular components that can be independently positioned and measured, reducing the need for large dedicated facilities
Solution Approach 2:
A target object serves as an intermediary between the sensor and the vehicle, enabling indirect measurement of the sensor's extrinsic parameters through the target's known position and orientation, which simplifies the calibration setup and reduces space requirements
2Measurement precision
If dedicated calibration facilities are used, then calibration precision is maintained, but the ease of operation and portability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration fixture is designed to be portable and movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be dynamically repositioned to various locations around the vehicle, making the calibration process more adaptable and easier to perform in different environments while maintaining precision through the use of rangefinding devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own sensor to perform the calibration by having the sensor detect the target's position and orientation, allowing the vehicle's existing components to serve the calibration function without requiring external specialized equipment
3Measurement precision
If traditional calibration methods are used, then factory-installed sensors are calibrated accurately, but adaptability to aftermarket sensors is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration fixture is designed with universal applicability to work with different types of sensors including both factory-installed and aftermarket sensors, as well as different sensor modalities such as LIDAR, radar, and cameras, by using a standardized target and rangefinding approach that can accommodate various sensor characteristics
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 reduces the footprint needed for calibration, making it suitable for aftermarket sensors and easier to perform outside factory environments, enhancing the flexibility and efficiency of the calibration process.
Implementation Method 1
The fixture includes a first rangefinding device and a second rangefinding device spaced from the first rangefinding device
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes providing a fixture including a target in a field of view of a sensor mounted to a vehicle. The target is detectable by the sensor. The fixture includes a first rangefinding device and a second rangefinding device spaced from the first rangefinding device. The method includes measuring a first angle and first distance from the first rangefinding device to a first known point on the vehicle; measuring a second angle and second distance from the second rangefinding device to a second known point on the vehicle; determining a position and orientation of the target in a coordinate system relative to the vehicle based on the first angle, the first distance, the second angle, and the second distance; and calibrating the sensor based on the position and orientation of the target.