Vehicle LiDAR Scanning Control for Target-Focused Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous driving systems face challenges in enhancing the accuracy of surrounding environment information while managing the operational load of electronic control units, particularly due to the trade-off between LiDAR scanning resolution and detection area, and the limited vertical detection range of LiDAR units.
Innovation Solution
A sensing system for vehicles that includes a LiDAR unit and a LiDAR control module, which dynamically adjusts the scanning resolution and tilt angle of the LiDAR unit to focus on specific angular areas where targets, such as pedestrians, are detected, thereby improving accuracy without increasing operational load by expanding the detection area vertically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the scanning resolution of the LiDAR unit is increased to improve the accuracy of surrounding environment information, then the measurement precision is improved, but the operation load of the electronic control unit is increased remarkably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the scanning resolution non-uniform across the detection area. The LiDAR control module configures the LiDAR unit to scan with higher resolution in specific angular areas where target objects are detected, while using lower resolution in other areas. This resolves the contradiction by improving measurement precision only where needed (local) rather than uniformly increasing resolution everywhere, thereby avoiding excessive operation load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the scanning resolution adjustable and adaptive. The LiDAR control module dynamically changes the scanning resolution based on the detected position and type of target objects. When a target is detected in a specific angular area, the system increases scanning resolution in that area; when no target is present, it reduces resolution. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining high accuracy and managing operation load.
2Measurement precision
If the LiDAR unit scans with high resolution across the entire detection area, then the measurement precision is improved, but the detection area coverage is reduced due to fixed tilt angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the tilt angle of the LiDAR unit adjustable rather than fixed. The LiDAR control module changes the tilt angle based on the vertical position of detected target objects. When a target is detected above or below the horizontal plane, the system adjusts the tilt angle to redirect the scanning beam toward the target, thereby maintaining both high scanning resolution and expanded vertical detection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by directing high-resolution scanning resources to specific angular areas where targets are detected, rather than uniformly scanning the entire detection area. The LiDAR control module identifies the angular position of targets and configures the LiDAR unit to concentrate scanning efforts in those specific directions, resolving the contradiction between resolution and coverage by optimizing resource allocation locally.
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
The system enhances the accuracy of surrounding environment information while maintaining a balanced operational load, allowing for precise identification of targets even when they are moving, by dynamically adjusting the scanning resolution and tilt angle of the LiDAR unit.
Implementation Method 1
a LiDAR unit configured to acquire point group data indicating surrounding environment of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing system provided in a vehicle capable of running in an autonomous driving mode, includes: a LiDAR unit configured to acquire point group data indicating surrounding environment of the vehicle; and a LiDAR control module configured to identify information associated with a target object existing around the vehicle, based on the point group data acquired from the LiDAR unit. The LiDAR control module is configured to control the LiDAR unit so as to increase a scanning resolution of the LiDAR unit in a first angular area in a detection area of the LiDAR unit, wherein the first angular area is an area where the target object exists.