Sensor Synchronization via Field-of-View Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in synchronizing the operations of multiple sensors, particularly when a rotating LIDAR and other sensors like cameras need to align their field-of-view to accurately fuse data for processing and analysis.
Innovation Solution
The system synchronizes sensor operations by determining the frequency of rotation and field-of-view alignment of a LIDAR and other sensors, triggering data capture when their fields-of-view are aligned, and accounting for delays between data capture initiation and actual data capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a rotating LIDAR is used to collect data for a larger field-of-view, then the area of coverage is improved, but the synchronization complexity with other sensors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the rotation frequency and field-of-view alignment of the LIDAR in advance, and pre-calculates the time offsets for triggering other sensors. This preliminary action ensures that sensors are triggered at the correct moments when their fields-of-view align with the LIDAR, without requiring complex real-time synchronization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accounts for the dynamic rotation of the LIDAR by calculating time offsets based on rotation frequency and field-of-view alignment. This dynamic approach allows the synchronization mechanism to adapt to the rotating LIDAR's changing orientation, ensuring accurate data alignment across multiple sensors throughout the rotation cycle.
2Measurement precision
If sensor data capturing operations are triggered based on field-of-view alignment, then the data alignment accuracy is improved, but the time delay in data capture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations to determine the exact time offsets when sensor fields-of-view will align with the LIDAR's field-of-view. By knowing these alignment moments in advance, the system can trigger data capture at the precise moment of alignment, minimizing unnecessary delays while ensuring accurate spatial correspondence between sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system triggers sensor operations at specific moments when field-of-view alignment occurs, rather than continuously monitoring or waiting for extended periods. This approach rushes through the synchronization process by capturing data at the optimal instant of alignment, reducing overall time delay while maintaining high alignment accuracy.
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 synchronization ensures that sensor data from different sources is accurately aligned, allowing for reliable fusion and improved processing outcomes, such as enhanced object detection and navigation in autonomous systems.
Implementation Method 1
a light ranging and detection (LIDAR) sensor can be used to determine ranges (variable distance) of one or more targets by directing a laser to a surface of an entity and measuring the time for light reflected from the surface to return to the LIDAR
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques are provided for synchronizing sensor operations. An example method includes determining a frequency of each scan cycle of a sensor configured to scan different regions of space; based on the frequency, a field-of-view (FOV) of the sensor, and a FOV of an additional sensor, determining an amount of time between a state of a first scan cycle of the sensor in which a point within the FOV of the sensor is aligned with a point within the FOV of the additional sensor and a state of a second scan cycle in which the point within the FOV of the sensor is aligned with the point within the FOV of the additional sensor; determining a time offset based on the amount of time; and sending, to the additional sensor, a signal configured to trigger the additional sensor to capture data at/after time intervals defined by the time offset.