Steerable Sensor Field-of-View Control for Autonomous Vehicle Path Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in optimally managing the field of view of steerable sensors to effectively navigate and detect obstacles in dynamic environments, particularly when traveling on varying terrain or turning, as fixed field-of-view settings may not adapt to changing conditions.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous vehicle system that determines a goal location on a travel way based on map and pose data, and adjusts the steerable sensor's field of view to ensure optimal positioning by selecting a candidate location that meets specific conditions such as distance, direction, and occlusion-free line-of-sight, thereby enhancing sensor coverage and navigation accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fixed field-of-view settings are used for sensors, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to changing terrain and navigation conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic field-of-view adjustment by continuously modifying sensor orientation based on real-time vehicle pose, terrain slope, and goal location. The sensor management system dynamically calculates optimal field-of-view parameters and adjusts sensor orientation accordingly, enabling the sensor to adapt to changing terrain conditions and navigation requirements rather than using fixed settings.
2Measurement precision
If steerable sensors continuously adjust field-of-view to track goal location, then navigation accuracy improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating the optimal goal location and field-of-view parameters based on current vehicle state, map data, and terrain information before navigation begins. The sensor is positioned to optimally detect the pre-determined goal location, avoiding continuous active adjustment while maintaining high detection accuracy throughout the navigation process.
3Reliability
If sensor field-of-view is optimized for current navigation conditions, then obstacle detection capability improves, but system response time to change conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by updating the sensor field-of-view at regular intervals or at key navigation decision points rather than continuously. The sensor management system periodically recalculates optimal field-of-view parameters based on current vehicle pose and terrain conditions, maintaining reliable obstacle detection while minimizing adjustment frequency to reduce time loss and computational overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Various examples are directed to systems and methods for directing a field-of-view of a first sensor positioned on an autonomous vehicle. In one example, at least one processor selects a goal location on at least one travel way in an environment of the autonomous vehicle. The selecting of the goal location is based at least in part on map data describing at least one travel way in an environment of the autonomous vehicle and pose data describing a position of the autonomous vehicle in the environment. The at least one processor determines a field-of-view position to direct the first sensor towards the goal location based at least in part on the sensor position data. The at least one processor sends a field-of-view command to the first sensor. The field-of-view command modifies the field-of-view of the first sensor based on the field-of-view position.