Terrain-Based Vehicle Localization With Discrete Road Segments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle localization systems, such as GNSS, lack the accuracy and resolution needed for advanced vehicle features like active suspension and autonomous driving, and continuous terrain-based localization methods require substantial network bandwidth and computational resources.

Innovation Solution

Implement terrain-based localization using discrete road segments, combining sensor data with reference profiles to determine vehicle position intermittently, supplemented by GNSS, reducing computational and network demands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If continuous terrain-based localization is used to achieve accurate vehicle positioning, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy and computational resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle localization accuracyVSAvoidcomputational and network resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs terrain-based localization intermittently at discrete road segments rather than continuously. The vehicle controller compares sensor data with reference road profiles only at predetermined locations along the route, reducing computational and network bandwidth requirements while maintaining sufficient localization accuracy for advanced vehicle features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The localization route is divided into discrete road segments with reference profiles stored in a database. The vehicle localizes by matching sensor data against these segmented reference profiles at specific locations, rather than processing continuous terrain data, thereby reducing the computational burden and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If GNSS-based localization is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocalization system complexityVSAvoidlocalization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines GNSS-based localization with terrain-based localization methods. GNSS provides coarse location information and route guidance, while terrain-based localization at discrete segments provides fine-grained position correction and verification, achieving high precision without excessive system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Reference road profiles stored in a database serve as an intermediary between the vehicle sensors and the localization algorithm. These pre-stored profiles contain expected terrain characteristics that facilitate efficient matching and position determination, reducing the computational complexity of real-time localization while improving accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12589751B2Systems and methods for vehicle control using terrain-based localization

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 CLEARMOTION INC

AI summary

Systems and methods described herein include implementation of road surface-based localization techniques for advanced vehicle features and control methods including lane drift detection, passing guidance, bandwidth conservation and caching based on road data, vehicle speed correction, suspension and vehicle system performance tracking and control, road estimation calibration, and others.