Variable Field of View Vehicle Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle environment detection systems require multiple sensors to handle varying driving situations effectively, leading to spatial and cost constraints, and existing systems are not optimally suited for both near-field and far-field applications.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle environment detection system with a transmission device that alternates between near-field and far-field operation, adjusting transmission power and field of view based on driving speed, allowing for optimal use of existing sensors and power without increasing component power, and enabling automatic switching between modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple independent sensors are used to detect various driving situations, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is designed to perform multiple functions by detecting both near-field and far-field environments using the same hardware components. The transmission device alternates between irradiating near-field and far-field regions, allowing a single sensor system to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized sensors for different driving situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its detection mode based on driving conditions. The control device switches between near-field and far-field detection modes, and adjusts transmission power accordingly, enabling the same sensor configuration to optimize performance for both low-speed parking maneuvers and high-speed highway driving without requiring physical reconfiguration or multiple fixed sensors.
2Measurement precision
If transmission power is increased to improve far-field signal quality, then measurement range is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission device operates in periodic alternating cycles between near-field and far-field modes. During far-field detection periods, transmission power is increased to ensure adequate signal quality over longer distances. During near-field detection periods, transmission power is reduced since less energy is needed for shorter ranges. This periodic modulation allows the system to achieve good far-field measurement quality only when necessary, optimizing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission power parameter dynamically based on the detection mode. When switching from near-field to far-field operation, the control device increases the transmission power to compensate for signal attenuation over longer distances. This parameter adaptation ensures adequate signal quality for far-field measurements without maintaining high power consumption during near-field operations where it is not needed.
3Measurement precision
If a sensor configuration optimized for low-speed parking is used, then near-field detection precision is improved, but far-field detection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor configuration is made dynamic through software control rather than fixed hardware design. The control device can switch between near-field optimized mode (with appropriate transmission power and detection parameters) and far-field optimized mode, allowing the same physical sensor array to adapt its characteristics based on whether the vehicle is engaged in low-speed parking maneuvers or high-speed highway driving, thus achieving versatility across different driving scenarios.
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 solution allows for efficient use of sensors and power, improving signal quality and range in far-field applications while maintaining performance in near-field scenarios, reducing the number of sensors needed and optimizing system utilization.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission device (2a) for emitting electromagnetic waves into a region of a vehicle environment that is to be detected
Implementation Method 2
a sensor unit (2b) for receiving the electromagnetic waves reflected by the vehicle environment
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle environment detection system (1) with a variable field of view, comprising: - an environment detection device (2) and - a control device (3) for controlling the environment detection device (2), wherein the environment detection device (2) comprises: • a transmitter (2a) for emitting electromagnetic waves into a detectable area of a vehicle environment, and • a sensor unit (2b) for receiving the electromagnetic waves reflected from the vehicle environment, wherein the transmitter (2a) is configured for alternately irradiating a first field of view in the form of a near field (NF) during near-field operation and a second field of view in the form of a far field (FF) during far-field operation, wherein the far field (FF) is reduced by at least 50% with respect to the detected solid angle compared to the near field (NF), characterized in thatthat the transmitting device (2a) has an average first transmit power (PNF) that can be preconfigured by the control device (3), and is configured to emit this first transmit power (PNF) when irradiating the near field (NF) and to emit a transmit power at least equal to the first transmit power (PNF) when irradiating the far field (FF), thus increasing the radiant intensity when illuminating the far field (FF) compared to the near field (NF), wherein the control device (3) is configured to control the switching between irradiation of the near field (NF) and the far field (FF).