Ultrasonic Sensor System 3D Positioning via Time-of-Flight and Phase
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic sensor systems struggle to accurately determine the positions of surrounding objects due to ambiguous distance assignments and inefficient direction determination, particularly when multiple objects are present, leading to incorrect positioning and warnings for non-relevant objects like curbs.
Innovation Solution
The method involves combining signal propagation time measurements and phase difference measurements from multiple ultrasonic transmitters and receivers to determine the positions of reflection points, using signal curve information and phase differences to identify real reflection points, and employing optimization techniques to ensure accurate distance and direction determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If only distance measurements from multiple ultrasonic sensors are used to locate surrounding objects, then the system can determine distances to objects, but the assignment of distances to specific reflection points becomes ambiguous and incorrect positions are determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to the distance measurements by evaluating signal progression indications that show the temporal progression of signal strength. This allows the system to distinguish between different reflection points by analyzing when signals arrive and how their strength changes over time, resolving the ambiguity in position assignment that plagues traditional simultaneous measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of signal progression indications before final position determination. By analyzing the temporal characteristics of received signals in advance and comparing them across multiple sensors, the system prepares the data in a way that enables unambiguous assignment of distances to specific reflection points during the final evaluation stage
2Measurement precision
If phase difference measurements are used to determine direction to surrounding objects, then direction information can be obtained, but the ultrasonic sensors must be spaced less than half a wavelength apart making them very small and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges distance measurements from multiple sensors with signal progression analysis to achieve direction determination without relying solely on phase differences. By combining multiple measurement types and evaluating how signal strength progresses over time at different sensors, the system can determine directions using larger sensor spacings that are more efficient while maintaining accuracy
3Quantity of substance
If multiple ultrasonic sensors are used to detect surrounding objects, then more distance measurements can be obtained, but the system cannot unambiguously assign distances to specific objects leading to incorrect positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback by comparing signal progression indications across multiple sensors and iteratively evaluating possible reflection point assignments. The evaluation process compares expected signal patterns with actual measurements and adjusts the assignment of distances to reflection points until consistency is achieved across all sensor data, ensuring reliable and correct position determination
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing temporal progression analysis as an additional dimension of evaluation, the system can distinguish between multiple reflection points even when multiple sensors are involved. The temporal signature of each reflection point becomes a unique identifier that allows unambiguous assignment of measurements to specific objects, resolving the reliability issue
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 provides improved accuracy in 3D imaging of surrounding objects, reducing incorrect object positioning and enhancing the reliability of ultrasonic sensor systems for both manual and autonomous vehicle navigation.
Implementation Method 1
Transmission of an ultrasonic transmission signal by several of the ultrasonic transmitters and reception of a respective ultrasonic reception signal by the ultrasonic receivers
Implementation Method 2
reception of a respective ultrasonic reception signal from which signal progression indications are determined by a propagation time measurement
Implementation Method 3
signal progression indications are determined from propagation time measurements which indicate a temporal progression of the signal strength in relation to the time of transmission
Implementation Method 4
phase differences are determined between two ultrasonic reception signals from at least one pair of ultrasonic receivers of a sensor assembly at the times of maxima
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating an ultrasonic sensor system (1) with several ultrasonic transmitters and several ultrasonic receivers for detecting environmental objects (O) in a detection area, wherein in particular one of the ultrasonic transmitters and one of the ultrasonic receivers are each designed as an ultrasonic transducer (2), comprising the following steps: - Emitting an ultrasonic transmit signal by several of the ultrasonic transmitters and receiving a respective ultrasonic receive signal by the ultrasonic receivers, - Evaluating the received ultrasonic receive signals in order to determine a signal profile from a time-of-flight measurement, which indicates the temporal course of the signal strength with reference to the time of transmission of the ultrasonic transmit signal, wherein signal transit times of each of the maxima of the signal profile are determined, which indicate a distance from possible reflection points;- Evaluating the received ultrasound signals to provide phase differences (Φmeas) between any two ultrasound signals from at least one pair of ultrasound receivers of a sensor assembly (7) at the times of corresponding maxima in a phase difference measurement, wherein direction information is assigned to the phase differences (Φmeas) indicating directions to possible reflection points; - Determining actual reflection points (R) depending on the distance to possible reflection points and depending on the directions to possible reflection points.