Stereoscopic Camera Desynchronization Detection via Timestamp Differential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stereoscopic camera desynchronization in autonomous vehicles leads to inaccurate environmental capture, as frames from two cameras are not captured simultaneously, causing delays and errors due to internal clock signal differences and environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A processing unit receives frames from each camera with timestamp data, associates independent timestamps, and determines synchronization by calculating the differential between these timestamps, adjusting the frame rate by modifying the padding data setting to ensure cameras operate within a threshold synchronization margin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If independent timestamps are associated with frames from each camera, then synchronization detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing unit that receives frames from both cameras, associates independent timestamps with each frame, and calculates the differential between timestamps. This intermediary component acts as a mediator that enables precise synchronization detection without requiring direct modification of the camera hardware or clock signals, thereby achieving high measurement precision while managing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If frame rate is adjusted by modifying padding data setting, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of padding data setting to adjust the frame rate of cameras. By modifying the number of padding data rows, the system can precisely control the frame capture timing and achieve synchronization accuracy at a microsecond scale. This parameter change approach allows for flexible adjustment without requiring complex hardware modifications, though it does increase the requirements for manufacturing precision in terms of data processing accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Detecting stereoscopic camera desynchronization may include: receiving, at a processing unit, a first frame from a first camera and a second frame from a second camera, wherein the first camera provides first time data for when the first frame is captured by the first camera and the second camera provides second time data indicating when the second frame is captured by the second camera; associating, with the first image and independent of the first time data, a first timestamp; associating, with the second image and independent of the second time data, a second timestamp; and determining, by the processing unit, whether the first camera and the second camera are synchronized based on the first timestamp and the second timestamp.