Vehicle Positioning Correction via Radar Direction Vectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle positioning methods using Global Navigation Systems (GNS) are prone to imprecision, which can be exacerbated in urban environments and by multiple reflections, and do not effectively incorporate angular information for precise location determination.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize radar sensor units to acquire environmental data, detect objects, and compare direction vectors with a digital map to correct vehicle position, incorporating angular information and distinguishing between stationary and mobile objects to enhance precision and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GNS unit is used for vehicle positioning, then positioning function is provided, but positioning precision deteriorates due to imprecision and multiple reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GNS positioning with radar sensor data and digital map information to create a hybrid positioning system. The GNS unit provides initial position estimates while radar sensors detect objects and their direction vectors, which are then fused with digital map data to correct and refine the position determination, achieving sub-lane precision that overcomes GNS limitations in urban environments
Solution Approach 2:
The digital map serves as an intermediary between the GNS unit and the final position determination. The map contains pre-stored object positions and direction vectors that mediate the positioning process by providing reference data for comparison with real-time radar measurements, enabling correction of GNS position estimates without requiring direct line-of-sight satellite signals
2Measurement precision
If radar sensor unit is added to acquire environmental data and direction vectors, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar sensor unit performs multiple functions: it detects objects in the surrounding environment, determines direction vectors from detected objects to the vehicle, and provides data for both positioning and digital map creation. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single sensor addition
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing radar sensor unit, which is already present for other automotive functions, to also perform positioning tasks. The radar data acquired for primary safety and assistance functions is reused for positioning by extracting direction vectors to objects, making the existing hardware serve dual purposes without requiring dedicated positioning sensors
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 solution achieves sub-lane precision in vehicle location determination, improves reliability in urban environments, and reduces the impact of changing light conditions, using standard radar and GNS sensors without additional hardware costs, by integrating direction vectors and adaptive algorithms for data fitting.
Implementation Method 1
sensor acquisition of a surrounding environment of the GNS vehicle position using a radar sensor unit of the vehicle, in order to ascertain radar data corresponding to the acquired surrounding environment
Implementation Method 2
determining a GNS vehicle position using a GNS unit
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining the position of a vehicle, including: determination of a GNS vehicle position by a GNS unit, sensor acquisition of a surrounding environment of the GNS vehicle position by a radar sensor unit of the vehicle in order to ascertain radar data corresponding to the acquired surrounding environment, detection of objects situated in the surrounding environment based on the radar data, ascertaining of a direction vector that points from a detected object to a reference point fixed to the vehicle, comparison of the radar data and the ascertained direction vector to a digital map that has objects and direction vectors assigned to the objects, the direction vectors assigned to the objects pointing to a position in the digital map from which the corresponding object was acquired by a radar sensor unit, and ascertaining of a corrected vehicle position based on the GNS vehicle position and the comparison.