Motor Vehicle Sensor Range Determination via Landmark Reflectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems in motor vehicles face challenges in accurately determining their detection range, which can be affected by environmental factors and contaminants, leading to reduced performance and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a memory unit, sensor unit, and computing unit that uses a map with landmark data, reflectivity properties, and radiant intensity to determine the sensor's detection range by comparing actual and target ranges, accounting for environmental influences and sensor type, to correct for attenuation and optimize detection under varying conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor operates under normal conditions, then the detection range is maintained at the target level, but environmental factors and contaminants can reduce the actual detection range below the target level
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously compares the actual detection range (measured by detecting known landmarks) with the target detection range (stored in the map) to determine attenuation. This feedback mechanism enables real-time monitoring of sensor performance degradation due to environmental factors and allows for compensation or alerting when the actual range falls below the target level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct physical measurement of sensor performance with an information-based approach using pre-stored landmark data and reflectivity properties. Instead of physically calibrating the sensor repeatedly, the system uses computational comparison of detected landmark positions against stored reference data to infer sensor attenuation, substituting mechanical calibration with digital comparison.
2Measurement precision
If the detection range is determined without environmental correction, then the measurement is simple, but the accuracy is reduced due to unaccounted environmental influences
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing landmark positions, reflectivity properties, and target detection ranges in a map before actual measurement. This pre-prepared reference data eliminates the need for complex real-time environmental modeling during measurement, as the system only needs to compare actual detections against the pre-stored values to determine attenuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using known landmarks with predetermined reflectivity properties as mediators between the sensor and the environment. These landmarks serve as reference objects that allow the system to separate environmental attenuation effects from actual sensor performance, enabling accurate measurement without directly measuring all environmental parameters.
3Reliability
If the sensor range is reduced due to contaminants or environmental influences, then the sensor may still function normally with valid signals, but the detection capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback by continuously comparing actual detection results against stored target values to detect and quantify range reduction. When attenuation is detected, the system can provide feedback signals to alert operators or adjust detection parameters, maintaining reliable operation even when environmental factors reduce the detection range below optimal levels.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for determining the detection range of a sensor unit for a motor vehicle includes: a memory unit configured to provide a map having map data regarding a landmark and a target detection range, a reflectivity property and/or a radiant intensity respectively associated with the landmark; a sensor unit configured to detect the landmark in surroundings with an actual detection range and/or to measure a received signal intensity for the landmark; and a computing unit configured to determine a detection range of the sensor unit based on the target detection range and the actual detection range and/or based on a comparison of the received signal intensity with a calculated signal intensity derived from the reflectivity property and/or the radiant intensity associated with the landmark.