Ultrasonic Echo Signal Classification for Low-Bandwidth Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic systems in vehicles face challenges in transmitting data efficiently due to limited data transmission rates, necessitating increased data compression without compromising obstacle recognition reliability, especially when integrating data from multiple sensors.
Innovation Solution
A method that extracts predetermined signal profile characteristics from echo signals, allocates them to classes with identifiers, and transmits these identifiers and object parameters, allowing for reconstruction of the echo signal in the data processing device, thereby reducing data transmission while maintaining recognition accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the quantity of data to be transmitted from the ultrasonic system to the data processing device is increased to improve obstacle recognition accuracy, then the recognition reliability is improved, but the data transmission rate exceeds the capacity of available vehicle data busses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential characteristics from the complete echo signal data - specifically timing information (time of flight), amplitude information (echo strength), and selected profile characteristics. This extraction approach transmits only the most relevant data elements needed for reliable obstacle recognition while leaving out redundant information, thereby resolving the contradiction between data quantity and transmission capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the raw echo signal into a simplified parameter representation consisting of discrete data elements such as time stamps, amplitude values, and classified obstacle types. By changing the data from continuous signal form to discrete parameter form, the information density is increased while the total data volume is reduced, enabling reliable recognition within limited bandwidth
2Quantity of substance
If data compression is applied to reduce data transmission quantity, then the data transmission rate is reduced to fit bus capacity, but the information content and relevance for obstacle recognition may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic system performs preliminary processing of the echo signal by extracting key characteristics and classifying obstacles before transmission. This preliminary action identifies and preserves only the most relevant information elements (timing, amplitude, obstacle class) that are essential for recognition, eliminating the need to transmit the complete raw signal while maintaining recognition accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate processing stage between the ultrasonic sensor and the central computer system where echo signals are transformed into simplified parameter representations. This intermediary processing extracts and transmits only essential features, acting as a mediator that reduces data volume while preserving the critical information needed for reliable obstacle recognition at the central system
3Reliability
If complete echo signal data are transmitted to perform object recognition in the computer system using sensor fusion, then the probability of erroneous information is reduced, but the transmission bandwidth requirement increases beyond available capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential characteristics from the complete echo signal data - specifically timing information (time of flight), amplitude information (echo strength), and selected profile characteristics. This extraction approach transmits only the most relevant data elements needed for reliable obstacle recognition while leaving out redundant information, thereby resolving the contradiction between data quantity and transmission capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the raw echo signal into a simplified parameter representation consisting of discrete data elements such as time stamps, amplitude values, and classified obstacle types. By changing the data from continuous signal form to discrete parameter form, the information density is increased while the total data volume is reduced, enabling reliable recognition within limited bandwidth
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 significantly reduces data transmission bandwidth, prioritizes safety-critical data, and enables efficient integration of data from multiple ultrasonic sensors with other systems like radar, enhancing obstacle recognition and reducing the risk of erroneous decisions.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic burst signals are emitted by at least one ultrasonic transmitter which are received by at least one ultrasonic receiver of the ultrasonic system after having been reflected from an obstacle
Implementation Method 2
ultrasonic burst signals are emitted by at least one ultrasonic transmitter which are received by at least one ultrasonic receiver of the ultrasonic system after having been reflected from an obstacle
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transmitting data from an ultrasonic sensor to a computer system includes forming a feature vector signal from an electric reception signal; recognizing signal objects in the reception signal and classifying the signal objects according to predetermined signal object classes. The signal objects are forms or sequences of forms. At least one object parameter allocated to the signal object and one symbol for the signal object class are allocated to each signal object, or for each signal object, at least one signal object parameter and a symbol object are determined. The method further includes transmitting the symbol, the at least one signal object parameter, and an error condition of the sensor to the computer system as data of a recognized signal object, wherein the transmission of the error condition is performed with higher priority than the signal object class and the allocated signal object parameter.