Multi-Sensor Calibration Targets for Vehicle Sensor Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor verification processes for autonomous vehicles are highly manual and costly, requiring skilled technicians and controlled calibration environments, which are expensive to set up and maintain, especially for testing the scanning range of long-range sensors.
Innovation Solution
A calibration system that includes a trigger device to detect sensing events and reveal sensor targets within a vehicle's field of view, allowing sensors to calibrate by determining offsets based on received data and synchronizing their operation for accurate location, timing, and synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional manual sensor verification processes are used, then measurement precision can be maintained, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical copies (images) of calibration targets captured by sensors instead of physical interaction with actual calibration objects. The sensor targets are revealed as optical patterns that sensors can detect and measure, eliminating the need for complex physical calibration apparatus while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical calibration processes with automated computational methods. A processor automatically determines sensor offsets by analyzing sensor data from captured images, substituting skilled technician manual operations with algorithmic processing that maintains accuracy while reducing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If controlled calibration environments are set up for sensor verification, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance and cost increase due to environment setup and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system uses the sensors themselves to capture images of calibration targets, and the same sensors are then calibrated using the data they captured. The system is self-calibrating without requiring separate controlled environments or additional calibration equipment, eliminating resource consumption for environment setup and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration targets can be revealed in various forms (optical patterns, reflective surfaces) that work with multiple sensor types (cameras, LIDAR, radar). A single calibration system can calibrate different sensor modalities using the same target revelation mechanism, reducing the need for multiple specialized calibration environments.
3Measurement precision
If extensive manual intervention is used for sensor calibration, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming processes
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration targets are pre-positioned in the sensor field of view and can be rapidly revealed when needed. The system prepares calibration data in advance by capturing images during normal operation or pre-positioned states, allowing quick offset determination without time-consuming manual setup during actual calibration execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sensor data to automatically adjust and determine calibration offsets. The processor analyzes sensor measurements of the revealed targets and computationally determines the offset values, creating a closed-loop automated process that maintains precision while dramatically increasing calibration speed compared to manual methods.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are devices and methods that may be used for the calibration of sensors of a vehicle. A calibration system disclosed herein includes a trigger device configured to detect a first sensing event. The calibration system further includes a plurality of sensor targets. Additionally, the calibration system includes a processor configured to reveal the plurality of sensor targets within a given region in response to the first sensing event. The calibration system may be configured to detect light from a LIDAR striking a light sensors. In response to detecting the light from the LIDAR, a plurality of lights, both visible and infrared, may be illuminated to correspond with a position and timing of the LIDAR pulse.