Ultrasonic Object Detection Using Unique Encoding Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object detection systems using ultrasonic sensors in UAVs and other mobile platforms face errors due to interference and unwanted reflections, which current techniques fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
The method involves emitting uniquely encoded ultrasonic waves in specific directions, allowing for the distinction of directly reflected waves by decoding the unique patterns and intervals of the received ultrasonic pulses, thereby reducing erroneous determinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ultrasonic sensors work independently in different directions, then object detection coverage is improved, but interference and erroneous determination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the detection task by assigning unique encoding patterns to each sensor's ultrasonic emissions. Each sensor transmits ultrasonic waves with distinct temporal or frequency codes, allowing the receiving sensors to identify and separate signals from different sources through decoding, thereby maintaining multi-directional coverage while eliminating interference errors
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temporal parameters of ultrasonic emissions by using unique pulse intervals and patterns for each sensor. By varying the time intervals between pulses in unique patterns for each sensor, the system enables receiving sensors to distinguish between direct reflections and multiple reflections based on expected timing patterns, thus improving detection reliability
2Reliability
If preselected signal threshold limits are used, then some errors from unwanted reflections are reduced, but sufficient accuracy is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where receiving sensors continuously monitor incoming ultrasonic signals, decode their patterns to identify the transmitting sensor, and use this information to filter out unwanted reflections. The system compares decoded pattern matches against expected patterns from specific sensors, providing intelligent feedback-based discrimination that goes beyond simple threshold limits
3Measurement precision
If ultrasonic waves are emitted in unique patterns with specific intervals, then direct reflected waves can be distinguished, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic ultrasonic pulse emissions with unique interval patterns for each sensor. Each sensor transmits pulses at characteristic time intervals that serve as its identification signature. This periodic action with varying intervals allows receiving sensors to distinguish direct reflections from multiple reflections by matching observed pulse intervals against the known unique patterns of each transmitting sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The unique encoding patterns act as an intermediary layer between the transmitting and receiving sensors. Rather than requiring complex hardware modifications, the system introduces temporal/frequency encoding as a mediating mechanism that carries identification information through the ultrasonic waves themselves, enabling sophisticated signal discrimination with relatively simple implementation
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 approach effectively reduces errors in object detection by accurately identifying directly reflected ultrasonic waves, improving the reliability of object location and existence determination in complex environments.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic sensor in one direction emits an ultrasonic wave pulse. The ultrasonic wave pulse is reflected back by an object in the path of the ultrasonic wave
Implementation Method 2
The ultrasonic wave pulse is reflected back by an object in the path of the ultrasonic wave and, after certain time elapses, received by an ultrasonic sensor
Implementation Method 3
received by an ultrasonic sensor. A calculation module can decide an existence and a distance of the object based on the time interval
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting objects using ultrasonic waves and methods for making and using the same are provided. The object detection system uniquely encodes each of a plurality of ultrasonic waves and transmit each of the uniquely-encoded ultrasonic waves in a respective direction. The object detection system then receives any of the emitted uniquely-encoded ultrasonic waves that are reflected from an object. By decoding the reflected ultrasonic waves, the object detection system distinguishes among the uniquely-encoded ultrasonic waves and detect the existence and location of the object.