Rearward Truck Radar Monitoring for Semitrailer Ghost-Object Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar-based systems for driver assistance in trucks suffer from multipath propagation, leading to virtual ghost objects due to the large lateral reflecting surface of semitrailers, causing incorrect decisions by the driver assistance system.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for radar-based monitoring that determines the alignment of a semitrailer relative to the radar device using odometry data and static parameters, and utilizes the semitrailer's longitudinal side as a mirror plane to correct for multipath propagation, enabling accurate detection of concealed objects by mirroring their true positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radar-based systems are used for driver assistance, then monitoring capability of vehicle environment is improved, but multipath propagation causes virtual ghost objects leading to incorrect detections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful multipath propagation effect into a beneficial tool by using the semitrailer's reflective surface as a virtual mirror. By calculating mirrored positions of detected objects based on the trailer's alignment, the system identifies virtual ghost objects and distinguishes them from real objects, thereby improving detection reliability while utilizing the previously harmful reflection effect.
2Reliability
If the semitrailer's reflective surface is utilized, then detection of concealed objects is improved, but determination of alignment requires additional processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the semitrailer itself as the reference object for alignment determination. By detecting the trailer's position and orientation through radar and using its geometric parameters, the system automatically calculates the alignment without requiring external reference objects or additional sensors, making the complex alignment determination self-contained.
3Measurement precision
If virtual ghost objects are eliminated, then correctness of driver assistance decisions is improved, but processing time for object verification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment determination of the semitrailer and pre-calculates mirrored positions of detected objects. By establishing the transformation relationship between real and virtual object positions in advance, the system can quickly verify whether detected objects are real or virtual without time-consuming analysis during critical decision-making moments.
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
Improves the detection of true objects by eliminating erroneous detections, increasing the number of detected objects, and enhancing the functionality of driver assistance systems like parking assistance and blind-spot monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
radar-based monitoring of a rearward area of a truck. The truck (14) comprises a radar device (30) and at least one semitrailer (22)
Implementation Method 2
the radar waves are reflected on objects so that multipath propagation of the radar waves occurs
Implementation Method 3
utilizes the semitrailer's longitudinal side as a mirror plane to correct for multipath propagation, enabling accurate detection of concealed objects by mirroring their true positions
Data Source
AI summary
A method for radar-based monitoring of a rearward area of a truck. The truck comprises a radar device and at least one semitrailer. The method comprises the steps of ascertaining various objects and their position using the radar device, determining an alignment of the trailer relative to the radar device, determining the objects that, based on their position, are concealed for the radar device as a result of the alignment of the semitrailer, and ascertaining, on the basis of the alignment of the semitrailer and an ascertained reflection of the radar waves on the semitrailer, the true position of the objects ascertained as concealed.