Vehicle HD Map Fusion Using Millimeter-Wave Relay Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current map resolution for autonomous driving is insufficient, requiring higher definition and real-time maps to enable safe and reliable navigation, which existing V2V and V2X communication technologies struggle to provide due to limited data rate and latency issues.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a car inside unit (CIU) and road side unit (RSU) that combines sensor data with received high-definition maps to generate and transmit a fused map, enabling vehicles to autonomously navigate by covering wider areas with low latency and high data throughput, using millimeter-wave communication for real-time data exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If current map resolution is used for autonomous driving, then the system complexity is low, but the navigation accuracy and safety are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemap resolutionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the high-definition map into multiple frames that can be transmitted separately through V2V communication. Each frame contains a portion of the map data, allowing the map to be delivered in manageable chunks that reduce communication overhead while maintaining high resolution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates and transmits copies of the high-definition map data from one vehicle to another. The map is generated by one vehicle's sensors and then copied to surrounding vehicles, enabling them to access high-resolution map data without each vehicle needing to collect it independently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Area of stationary object

If V2V communication is used to transmit HD map data, then the map coverage can be shared among vehicles, but the limited data rate prevents sufficient data exchange

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemap coverageVSAvoiddata exchange rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential and updated portions of the map data for transmission rather than sending the entire map. By identifying and transmitting only the changed or relevant map sections, the data rate requirement is reduced while still providing comprehensive coverage information to receiving vehicles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transmits map data at a rate that provides sufficient coverage information without requiring complete real-time updates of every map section. Partial updates and selective transmission of critical map areas enable adequate coverage with reduced bandwidth requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If V2X communication through traffic-safety server is used, then infrastructure support is provided, but the latency exceeds 10 ms requirement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfrastructure supportVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses surrounding vehicles as intermediary nodes for map data transmission instead of routing all data through the centralized traffic-safety server. Vehicles directly share map data with each other through V2V communication, eliminating the need for data to travel to and from the server and reducing latency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary map data collection and processing locally in each vehicle, preparing map frames in advance before transmission is needed. This pre-processing reduces the time required for data preparation and enables faster delivery when other vehicles request map information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 safe and reliable autonomous driving by providing vehicles with comprehensive, real-time HD maps, enhancing navigation accuracy and reducing latency, thereby improving road safety and autonomous driving capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

A HD sensor unit, e.g., LiDAR, to collect information for HD map

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiDAR: LIDAR

Implementation Method 2

a millimeter wave Rx (receiver) unit to receive HD maps in real-time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMillimeter wave communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a millimeter wave Tx (transmitter) unit to relay the HD map calculated in a CIU-relay in real-time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMillimeter wave communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3566069B1Generation and use of HD maps
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • EP3566069B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3566069B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3566069B1 patent drawingFigure 4a

AI summary

An apparatus comprising a processor unit configured to provide a first high-definition map, a sensor unit configured for providing sensor data representing an environmental condition in a periphery of the apparatus and a receiver unit configured to receive data representing a second high-definition map. The processor unit is configured to fuse the second high-definition map and the sensor data so as to provide the first high-definition map. The apparatus further comprises a transmitter unit configured for transmitting a result of fusing the second high-definition map and the sensor data, and comprises a command generator unit configured to generate a command signal representing a vehicle control command for a vehicle carrying the apparatus based on the first high-definition map.