Vehicle Radar Orientation Calibration Through SAR Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar sensors in vehicles face inaccuracies in mounting angles due to production errors and changes over time, affecting their accuracy in determining object locations, which is crucial for automotive applications.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) techniques to generate images independent of mounting angles, allowing for precise estimation of radar sensor orientation by comparing SAR images with radar detections through optimization methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional radar sensor mounting methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but the mounting angle precision deteriorates due to production errors and changes over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical mounting angle measurement methods with a computational approach using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image processing. The system uses SAR imaging to create angle-independent representations of the environment, then applies optimization algorithms to estimate the mounting angle by comparing SAR images with radar sensor data, eliminating the need for complex mechanical calibration devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces SAR images as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the radar sensor and the mounting angle estimation. The SAR images serve as a reference that is independent of mounting angle, allowing the system to compare expected radar detections with actual detections to infer the mounting angle error without direct mechanical measurement.
2Measurement precision
If optimization methods are used to estimate mounting angle, then the measurement precision improves, but the computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using only the necessary subset of radar sensor data and SAR image information required for mounting angle estimation. The optimization process focuses specifically on aligning the SAR image with the radar detections to determine the mounting angle, rather than processing all possible sensor data, thereby reducing computational complexity while maintaining precision.
3Reliability
If frequent mounting angle estimation is performed, then the reliability improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by performing mounting angle estimation at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously. The system estimates the mounting angle periodically using SAR images and radar sensor data, which maintains reliability for object location detection while significantly reducing the energy consumption associated with continuous computational processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method for estimating a mounting angle of a radar sensor comprises the following steps carried out by computer hardware components: acquiring radar sensor data using a radar sensor; acquiring a synthetic aperture radar image using the radar sensor and/or using the radar sensor data; and estimating a mounting angle of the radar sensor based on the synthetic aperture radar image and the radar sensor data.