Virtual Sensor Mapping for Realistic Object Detection Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Testing control units for vehicle sensors in real environments is time-consuming and costly, and many scenarios cannot be replicated, while existing virtual simulations lack realism and require detailed knowledge of sensor structures.
Innovation Solution
A simulator and method for generating synthetic sensor data using a visibility module, mapping module, and output module to simulate object detection sensors, which adapt to sensor characteristics without revealing detailed technical processes, allowing real-time processing and realistic simulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real sensors are used to test control units in real environments, then testing reliability is improved, but testing time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual sensor that copies the essential characteristics of real sensors through a characteristic function, enabling simulation of sensor behavior without requiring physical sensors. This virtual sensor generates synthetic sensor data that replicates real sensor output, allowing comprehensive testing in virtual environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical sensor hardware with a software-based virtual sensor that uses mathematical models (characteristic functions) to simulate sensor behavior. This substitution eliminates the need for physical sensors during testing while maintaining testing reliability through accurate simulation of sensor characteristics.
2Measurement precision
If real sensors are used for testing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual sensor copies the characteristic function of real sensors, capturing their measurement precision through mathematical models without requiring the physical hardware. This approach maintains measurement precision while significantly reducing device complexity by eliminating sensor hardware, test benches, and associated infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a characteristic function as an intermediary that mediates between real sensor physics and virtual simulation. This characteristic function encapsulates sensor behavior and measurement characteristics, allowing precise measurement simulation without the complexity of physical sensor systems.
3Reliability
If detailed sensor structure knowledge is provided in virtual simulations, then simulation realism is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential characteristics of sensors needed for simulation through the characteristic function, separating these key features from the complex physical structure. This extraction allows simulation realism to be achieved using simplified mathematical representations rather than detailed physical models.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms detailed physical sensor parameters into a characteristic function that captures essential sensor behavior. By changing the representation from physical parameters to a functional mathematical model, the system achieves simulation realism while reducing device complexity.
4Loss of time
If existing virtual sensor simulations are used, then testing time is reduced, but simulation realism deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from generic virtual simulations to parameterized simulations using characteristic functions that are adapted to specific sensor types. This allows rapid generation of realistic sensor data by adjusting the characteristic function parameters rather than requiring complex real-time rendering.
Solution Approach 2:
The characteristic function is pre-configured with sensor-specific parameters and behavior models, allowing virtual sensors to generate realistic data immediately upon initialization. This preliminary preparation of sensor characteristics enables both fast testing and high simulation realism without real-time computational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A simulator for simulating a sensor for object detection. The simulator is set up to generate synthetic sensor data of the sensor by the simulation. A visibility module generates object data for at least one virtual object located in a virtual environment as a function of the sensor. A mapping module determines at least two parameters of the virtual object from the object data and represents at least one virtual object as a function of the at least two parameters in a first mapping. A link module transfers the first mapping to a second mapping taking into account a characteristic function of the sensor. In the second mapping, the at least one virtual object is represented as a function of the at least two parameters. An output module converts the second mapping into the synthetic sensor data and provides the synthetic sensor data for output.