Sensor Synchronization System Using GPS PPS Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional machine vision cameras in autonomous vehicles operate asynchronously, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in constructing real-time 3D sensor images, especially at high speeds, due to discrepancies in sensor data timing.

Innovation Solution

A sensor synchronization system that uses a local clock signal synchronized with a GPS PPS signal to generate phase-offset sensor pulses, triggering sensors to capture time-synchronized data, ensuring precise timing and alignment of sensor data for accurate 3D image generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If sensors operate asynchronously, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor synchronization complexityVSAvoidsensor data timing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a GPS PPS signal as an intermediary timing reference that mediates between multiple sensors and the control system. This external timing signal serves as a common reference point that all sensors can synchronize to, eliminating the need for complex inter-sensor synchronization while ensuring precise timing alignment of sensor data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If sensors are triggered simultaneously, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor data timing alignmentVSAvoidsensor control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the timing control function into a single centralized controller that generates all sensor trigger signals based on the GPS PPS reference. This consolidation simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating the need for distributed synchronization mechanisms across multiple sensors, while achieving precise simultaneous triggering through the unified timing source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If sensor data is captured at different times, then ease of operation is maintained, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor data acquisition simplicityVSAvoid3D image construction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic sensor triggering synchronized to the GPS PPS signal, which provides regular timing pulses at known intervals. This periodic synchronization ensures that sensor data is captured at consistent, predictable time points, maintaining operational simplicity while significantly improving the reliability of 3D image construction by ensuring temporal alignment of data from different sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9537956B1System for acquiring time-synchronized sensor data

Publication Date: 2017.01.03 AURORA OPERATIONS INC

AI summary

A sensor synchronization system for a sensor apparatus. The system synchronizes a local clock signal with an external timing signal. For example, the external timing signal may correspond to a pulse per second (PPS) signal received from a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The system further generates a plurality of sensor pulses that are each offset in phase relative to the local clock signal by a respective amount. The system then activates a plurality of sensors of the sensor apparatus based at least in part on the plurality of sensor pulses.