1D Ultrasound Angle Estimation via Frequency-Dependent Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining elevation angle using one-dimensional ultrasound sensors are challenging due to physical restrictions and often result in incorrect height estimation or missed detections, while camera and multiple antenna-based methods do not leverage the cost and mechanical robustness advantages of 1D-ultrasound sensors.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a 1D ultrasound sensor with a frequency-dependent radiation pattern that transmits ultrasound waves at different frequencies to determine elevation and azimuth angles by calculating the amplitude ratio of reflections, leveraging a predetermined ratio curve or dataset to associate amplitude ratios with angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If 1D ultrasound sensor is used for elevation angle estimation, then cost and mechanical robustness are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to physical restrictions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost and mechanical robustnessVSAvoidelevation angle estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency parameter of the ultrasound waves to resolve the contradiction. By transmitting ultrasound waves at multiple different frequencies and analyzing the frequency-dependent amplitude variations in the radiation pattern, the system achieves elevation angle estimation capability with a 1D sensor. The frequency parameter change enables the sensor to distinguish elevation information through amplitude ratio comparisons across frequencies, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining the cost and robustness advantages of 1D sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If rate-of-closing method is used, then elevation angle determination is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to wrong association of reflections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelevation angle determination capabilityVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces frequency-dependent amplitude ratios as an intermediary to resolve the contradiction. Instead of directly tracking reflections over time (which causes wrong associations), the system uses the intermediary of frequency-dependent radiation pattern characteristics. By comparing amplitude ratios at different frequencies, the system reliably determines elevation angles without the association problems inherent in temporal tracking methods, thereby improving reliability while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors or cameras are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelevation angle estimation accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the ultrasound frequency variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes the frequency parameter of the transmitted ultrasound waves and analyzes the dynamic response across frequencies. This dynamic approach enables a single 1D sensor to achieve the measurement precision that would traditionally require multiple static sensors or cameras, thereby reducing device complexity while improving or maintaining measurement precision through frequency-domain analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables robust and cost-effective elevation and azimuth angle determination for ultrasound sensors, maintaining mechanical robustness and eliminating ambiguities through frequency-dependent radiation patterns and additional sensor data integration.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasound sensor, specifically a 1D ultrasound sensor, with a frequency-dependent radiation pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency-dependent radiation pattern:

Implementation Method 2

reflections of the first and second ultrasound waves are received by said ultrasound sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasound reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12436277B2Method for elevation angle estimation based on an ultrasound sensor

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 CONTINENTAL AUTONOMOUS MOBILITY GERMANY GMBH

AI summary

A method for determining the elevation angle and/or azimuth angle of a signal received by an ultrasound sensor includes: providing an ultrasound sensor with a frequency-dependent radiation pattern; transmitting a first ultrasound wave at a first frequency; transmitting a second ultrasound wave at a second frequency different from the first frequency; receiving reflections of the first and second waves, the reflections being caused by an object; and determining the elevation angle of the first and second reflected waves based on amplitudes of the reflections of the first and second waves. Determining the elevation angle (and/or azimuth angle includes calculating a ratio between the amplitudes of received reflections of the first and second waves and mapping a calculated ratio to an elevation angle and/or azimuth angle. The mapping is based on a predetermined ratio curve or ratio dataset which associates a certain amplitude ratio to an elevation angle and/or azimuth angle.