Ultrasonic Object Detection Adaptive Pulse Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic wave detectors face challenges with low accuracy and energy inefficiency due to fixed pulse transmission, leading to inadequate echo detection and spurious echoes, which result in wasted energy and unreliable distance measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method that dynamically adjusts the number of pulses in acoustic signals based on echo intensity, starting with a minimum number and incrementally increasing until a valid echo is received, with an upper limit to prevent excessive energy use, allowing for adaptive energy levels tailored to the operating situation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed number of pulses is used in the driving waveform, then the system operation is simple, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to saturation in near field or insufficient energy in far field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed number of pulses to a variable number of pulses that adapts based on the measured distance. The system dynamically adjusts the driving waveform parameters (number of pulses) according to the operating conditions, allowing optimal energy transmission for both near-field and far-field measurements without saturation or insufficient energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the driving waveform specifically the number of pulses based on the measured distance. By modifying this parameter dynamically, the system optimizes the transmitted energy level to match the requirements of different measurement scenarios, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and measurement precision.
2Reliability
If a higher number of pulses is used to ensure sufficient echo detection, then the echo detection reliability improves, but the energy consumption increases and spurious echoes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the number of pulses parameter in the driving waveform based on the calculated distance to the object. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures that the minimum necessary energy is transmitted to achieve reliable echo detection, avoiding both energy waste and spurious echoes from excessive transmission energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the measured distance to adjust the number of pulses in subsequent transmissions. By incorporating the measurement results into the control of transmission parameters, the system optimizes energy usage while maintaining reliable echo detection, eliminating the need for unnecessarily high energy transmission.
3Device complexity
If a fixed number of pulses is used, then the system design is simple, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary energy transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of the number of pulses based on real-time distance measurements. This dynamic approach optimizes energy efficiency by transmitting only the necessary energy required for each specific measurement scenario, eliminating the energy waste associated with fixed high-energy transmissions while maintaining manageable system complexity through algorithmic control.
4Length of stationary object
If more pulses are transmitted to overcome attenuation, then the detection range extends, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts the number of pulses parameter in the driving waveform according to the detected distance. This parameter change allows the system to extend detection range by increasing pulses only when necessary for distant objects, while consuming minimal energy for nearby objects, thereby optimizing the trade-off between detection range and energy consumption.
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 enhances accuracy by ensuring sufficient echo detection while minimizing energy waste, providing reliable distance measurements and improving the efficiency of ultrasonic wave detection systems.
Implementation Method 1
The acoustic (e.g., ultrasonic) wave may be generated by means of a (e.g., piezo) transducer driven with, e.g., a square waveform
Implementation Method 2
a receiver which may detect an echo of the transmitted acoustic wave produced by reflection of the acoustic wave at, e.g., an obstacle (target)
Implementation Method 3
The receiving end of the system may include the same transmitting transducer (e.g., a piezo transducer) or a second transducer (e.g., a piezo transducer)
Data Source
AI summary
A method of detecting objects includes transmitting toward an object a first acoustic signal including a first set of pulses including a first number of pulses, and checking if a first echo signal resulting from reflection of the first acoustic signal is received with an intensity reaching an echo detection threshold. If the intensity of the first echo signal reaches the echo detection threshold, the distance to the object is calculated as a function of the time delay of the first echo signal. If the intensity of the first echo signal fails to reach the echo detection threshold, one or more further acoustic signals are transmitted including a set of pulses wherein the number of pulses is increased with respect to the number of pulses in said first acoustic signal.