Multi-Sensor Calibration Targets for Vehicle Timing 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 and operating in a synchronized manner, thereby reducing manual intervention and costs.
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 calibration system enables sensors to perform self-calibration by automatically detecting calibration targets and computing offsets without requiring skilled technicians or complex controlled environments. The system uses a trigger device to detect sensing events and automatically reveals calibration targets, allowing the sensor system to calibrate itself efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simplified calibration targets that can be easily reproduced and deployed in various environments, replacing the need for complex controlled calibration environments. These targets serve as standardized references that can be copied and used across different calibration scenarios, reducing setup complexity while maintaining precision.
2Measurement precision
If controlled calibration environments are set up for sensor verification, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system prepares calibration targets in advance and positions them within the sensor field of view before actual calibration is needed. The trigger device is pre-configured to detect sensing events and automatically initiate the calibration sequence, eliminating the need for manual setup and reducing calibration time while maintaining precision.
3Measurement precision
If skilled technicians are used for sensor verification, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of substance (human resources) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the need for skilled technicians by enabling automatic sensor calibration through the trigger device and calibration targets. The processor automatically computes offsets and applies corrections, allowing the system to perform calibration tasks that previously required human expertise, thereby reducing dependency on skilled technicians while maintaining calibration accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If manual sensor calibration processes are used, then measurement precision can be achieved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system uses periodic triggering events to initiate calibration sequences at regular intervals or on-demand, enabling multiple sensors to be calibrated efficiently in sequence. This periodic operation allows the system to maintain measurement precision while significantly increasing calibration throughput compared to manual processes.
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.