Vehicle Data Fusion Device for GPS-Denied Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle architectures are limited in their ability to effectively distribute and process data from various sensors for vehicle-to-vehicle communication, particularly in scenarios where GPS signals are unavailable, and they lack an integrated solution for fusing and filtering sensor data for reliable communication.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle electrical system with a device for distributing data, featuring a fusion device that combines and filters sensor data from position and steering angle sensors, and a Car2X antenna for wireless communication, enabling the generation of reliable data for vehicle-to-vehicle communication even without GPS signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensor data is transmitted directly from individual sensors to communication interfaces, then data transmission is simple, but data reliability and consistency deteriorate when GPS signals are unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sensor data sources (GPS receiver, inertial sensors, wheel speed sensors, steering angle sensors) into a single centralized evaluation unit. This fusion device consolidates data from various sensors to generate reliable position and movement data even when GPS signals are unavailable, thereby improving data reliability while managing device complexity through centralized processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The evaluation unit acts as an intermediary between individual sensors and the communication interface. It receives raw data from multiple sensors, processes and fuses this data to generate reliable position and movement information, then transmits the processed data to the communication interface. This intermediary layer ensures data consistency and reliability without requiring complex changes at each sensor level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensor data sources are used for vehicle-to-vehicle communication, then data availability improves, but data processing and fusion complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availabilityVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation unit performs multiple functions: it processes GPS data, inertial sensor data, wheel speed data, and steering angle data; it generates position data, movement data, and derived parameters; it maintains data availability across different communication protocols. This multi-functional design improves data availability while consolidating processing complexity into a single universal unit rather than distributing complexity across multiple specialized systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If GPS-dependent communication systems are used, then position accuracy is high, but system reliability deteriorates in GPS-denied environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system preliminarily establishes alternative data sources (inertial sensors, wheel speed sensors, steering angle sensors) that can be activated when GPS signals are unavailable. The evaluation unit is pre-configured to process multiple sensor types and switch between GPS-based positioning and sensor-fusion-based positioning, ensuring continuous reliable operation without sacrificing position accuracy even in GPS-denied environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters dynamically: when GPS signals are available, it uses GPS-based positioning for high accuracy; when GPS signals are unavailable, it transitions to sensor-fusion-based positioning using inertial sensors, wheel speed sensors, and steering angle sensors. This parameter change approach maintains both position accuracy and system reliability across different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2756650B1Device for distributing data about a vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO OHG
  • EP2756650B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2756650B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2756650B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device for distributing data about a vehicle, has a first sensor data reception interface for receiving first sensor data from a first sensor, a second sensor data reception interface for receiving second sensor data from a second sensor, and a transmission interface for transmitting the data about the vehicle on the basis of the first sensor data and the second sensor data to a receiver. A vehicle and an on-board system which incorporate the devise are also encompassed herein.