Vehicle Sensor Calibration via External Facility Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle sensor calibration methods are inefficient and prone to errors, as they rely on potentially inaccurate measurements from uncalibrated sensors, which can lead to unreliable navigation and operation in autonomous driving modes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize external sensors at a vehicle calibration facility to navigate the vehicle to specific calibration positions, where sensors perform calibration measurements based on predetermined targets, allowing for accurate calibration and correction of measurement discrepancies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If uncalibrated sensors are used for vehicle navigation and operation, then the system can operate without additional calibration equipment, but the measurement accuracy and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces external sensors as intermediary devices positioned at known locations in the calibration facility. These external sensors act as mediators between the uncalibrated vehicle sensors and the calibration targets, providing reference measurements that enable accurate calibration without modifying the vehicle sensors themselves. The external sensors bridge the gap between the unknown vehicle sensor readings and the known physical positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model or copy of the physical calibration facility and vehicle positions using data from external sensors. This digital representation allows the system to calculate expected sensor readings based on known geometry and compare them with actual uncalibrated sensor readings, enabling calibration through data copying and processing rather than direct physical measurement.
2Reliability
If external sensors are used to monitor and navigate the vehicle to calibration positions, then navigation accuracy improves, but the system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The external sensors serve multiple functions simultaneously: they monitor vehicle position for navigation, track vehicle movement during calibration, and provide reference data for sensor calibration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized equipment for each task, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the added infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own sensors to navigate to calibration positions based on data from external sensors. The vehicle autonomously performs the navigation task without requiring external physical guidance systems or manual intervention, making the system self-sufficient and reducing the complexity of external control infrastructure.
3Productivity
If the vehicle navigates autonomously to calibration positions based on external sensor data, then calibration efficiency improves, but the risk of navigation errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives feedback from external sensors about the vehicle's actual position and compares it with the target calibration position. This feedback loop allows the autonomous navigation system to detect and correct deviations in real-time, ensuring accurate positioning despite autonomous operation. The feedback mechanism maintains reliability while enabling efficient autonomous calibration processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for automated vehicle sensor calibration and verification are provided. One example method involves monitoring a vehicle using one or more external sensors of a vehicle calibration facility. The sensor data may be indicative of a relative position of the vehicle in the vehicle calibration facility. The method also involves causing the vehicle to navigate in an autonomous driving mode, based on the sensor data, from a current position of the vehicle to a first calibration position in the vehicle calibration facility. The method also involves causing a first sensor of the vehicle to perform a first calibration measurement while the vehicle is at the first calibration position. The method also involves calibrating the first sensor based on at least the first calibration measurement.