Vehicular Ranging System Dynamic Lidar Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicular perception systems face challenges in achieving a wider field of view at short ranges and durability issues, particularly with laser-based sensors, which result in high costs and reduced mean-time between failures (MTBF).
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to modulate the sampling frequencies of complementary short-range and long-range lidar sensors, allowing one sensor to be reduced or shut down in certain conditions, thereby reducing the number of emitted laser pulses and increasing the lifespan of the laser emitters. This approach combines a short-range sensor with a wide field of view for urban applications and a long-range sensor with a narrow field of view for highway applications, using a feedback loop to adjust sampling rates based on the output from each sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single active sensor with wide field of view is used to cover entire range requirement, then field of view coverage is improved, but power requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing system into two separate active sensors: a short-range sensor with wide field of view and a long-range sensor with narrow field of view. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific range, with the short-range sensor covering the wide angular sector and the long-range sensor focusing on a narrower sector, thereby reducing the total power requirement compared to using a single sensor covering the entire range at wide angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different field of view characteristics to different range zones: the short-range sensor provides wide field of view coverage for near-field detection, while the long-range sensor provides narrow field of view coverage for far-field detection. This local quality differentiation optimizes power consumption by concentrating sensing resources where they are most needed for each range zone.
2Measurement precision
If laser-based sensors operate continuously at high sampling rates, then detection precision is improved, but mean-time between failures decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sampling rate adjustment where the sampling frequency of each sensor is varied based on detected conditions. When the short-range sensor detects an object, the long-range sensor's sampling rate is reduced or suspended, and vice versa. This dynamic adaptation maintains detection precision when needed while reducing overall laser pulse emission, thereby extending the mean-time between failures of the laser emitters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic sampling with variable intervals rather than continuous high-rate sampling. The sampling frequency is adjusted periodically based on the operational mode and detected conditions, allowing the system to maintain detection capability while reducing the cumulative number of laser pulses emitted, thus improving laser emitter reliability.
3Device complexity
If a single sensor covers both short-range and long-range detection, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different driving situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional sensing system where two sensors with different characteristics (short-range wide-FOV and long-range narrow-FOV) work together to provide universal coverage for various driving situations. The system can adapt to urban stop-and-go conditions using the short-range sensor and highway conditions using the long-range sensor, achieving versatility that a single sensor cannot provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching and coordination between the two sensors based on detected conditions and driving situations. The control system dynamically adjusts which sensor operates at full sampling rate and which is reduced or suspended, allowing the system to adapt to different driving scenarios (urban vs. highway) while managing overall system complexity through intelligent control.
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
This method enhances the mean-time between failures (MTBF) of laser-based subsystems by reducing the number of laser pulses emitted, improving durability and resource efficiency, while maintaining effective obstacle detection capabilities for various driving scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
LIDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging) technology, where a light signal can be emitted by a LED (Light Emitting Diode) or laser emitter
Implementation Method 2
An example of active sensors is LIDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging) technology
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular object ranging system having a long-range sensor having a long-range field of view and a short-range sensor having a short-range field of view overlapping and exceeding said long-range field of view and having an angular resolution capability. The sampling rate of one of the long-range sensor and short-range sensor can be varied depending of the signal provided by the other.