Vehicle Radar Alignment via Photogrammetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for aligning multiple radar units on vehicles are time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring expensive tools and precise measurements, which hinders efficient installation and operation of advanced radar systems with steerable beams and wide fields of view.
Innovation Solution
The use of photogrammetry to determine and adjust the pitch and yaw directions of radar units, calculating offsets to achieve precise alignment, allowing for efficient mounting and orientation of radar units to cover a full 360-degree azimuth plane with a multi-sector 90-degree field of view radar antenna architecture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional alignment methods are used for radar units, then measurement precision can be achieved, but installation time and labor cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical alignment tools and procedures with a photogrammetry-based optical measurement system. The method uses photographs captured by imaging devices to determine radar unit orientations and calculate alignment offsets, eliminating the need for complex mechanical measurement instruments and manual alignment procedures while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of the radar units and their mounting environment through photogrammetry. By capturing photographs and generating three-dimensional visual representations, the system copies the physical alignment state digitally, allowing for precise measurement and calculation of alignment offsets without physical intervention during the measurement process.
2Measurement precision
If conventional alignment tools are used, then accurate pitch and yaw measurement is possible, but equipment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex mechanical alignment instruments with a photogrammetry system comprising imaging devices and processing software. Instead of using specialized mechanical tools for measuring pitch and yaw angles, the system captures visual data and computationally determines orientations, significantly reducing equipment complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces photogrammetry as an intermediary between the physical radar units and the alignment measurement process. Rather than directly measuring physical dimensions with complex instruments, the system uses photographs as an intermediate representation to extract alignment information, simplifying the measurement apparatus while preserving precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radar units are mounted with precise alignment, then scanning capability is improved, but mounting time and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming mechanical alignment procedures with automated photogrammetry-based measurement and calculation. The system automatically determines pitch and yaw orientations from photographs and computes the necessary alignment offsets, eliminating manual measurement and adjustment operations while enabling precise multi-radar configuration for enhanced scanning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs alignment measurements and calculations before final mounting operations. By capturing photographs and determining alignment offsets in advance, the system prepares mounting instructions that guide the physical installation process, allowing technicians to mount radar units efficiently with pre-calculated alignment parameters rather than performing iterative adjustments during installation.
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
Enables rapid and cost-effective alignment of radar units, enhancing the scanning capability and field of view of vehicular radar systems, facilitating advanced autonomous driving applications by streamlining the installation process and reducing equipment requirements.
Implementation Method 1
determining, for each radar unit, a measured pitch direction and a measured yaw direction based on data obtained using a photogrammetry system
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for mounting a plurality of radar units to a vehicle. The method involves determining, for each radar unit, a measured pitch direction and a measured yaw direction based on data obtained using a photogrammetry system. The method also involves determining yaw angles between at least two of the radar units based on at least one of the measured yaw directions. The method also involves determining, for each radar unit, a pitch offset and a yaw offset. The method also involves adjusting at least one of the radar units based on at least one of the determined pitch offsets and at least one of the determined yaw offsets. Also provided is a device for performing the method.