KR102187825B1 - Apparatus and method for optimizing a ultrasonic signal - Google Patents

Abstract

An ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus and method are provided. The ultrasonic signal optimizing apparatus includes an ultrasonic signal sensing unit for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal, an excitation measuring unit for measuring a first ringing time of an ultrasonic signal transmitted from the ultrasonic signal sensing unit, and the first ringing time in advance. A comparison operation unit for calculating a correction frequency by comparing with the stored second ringing time, a reverse voltage signal generator for generating an electrical damping pulse having the correction frequency, and the reverse voltage signal to the ultrasonic signal detection unit It includes a control unit that performs a control operation to apply.

Description

Ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus and method {Apparatus and method for optimizing a ultrasonic signal}

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus and method. In more detail, the present invention relates to an ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus and method for improving minimum sensing distance performance by correcting ultrasonic sensor pulses to minimize excitation of ultrasonic sensors used in front and rear parking assistance systems.

In general, in a parking assistance system using an ultrasonic sensor, an ultrasonic sensor provided at the front and rear of a vehicle emits and receives a reflected wave, measures a delay time according to the reception of the reflected wave, and converts the distance, based on the converted distance value. A method of determining whether an object exists around the sensor is applied.

However, since such a parking assist system determines the presence or absence of an object according to the measured distance between the sensor and the vehicle, it is necessary to accurately reflect and measure the ultrasonic wave by the vehicle or object to obtain distance information. Or there is a risk of malfunction due to the surrounding environment.

In addition, malfunction due to conditions in which the ultrasonic sensor beam is not reflected (if it is reflected on the driver's seat glass of the vehicle, if the top surface of the vehicle has many rounds, in the case of a compact vehicle, the size of the vehicle is small so Because the ultrasonic wave is reflected, the reflected wave does not return).

In addition, depending on the environment in which the ultrasonic sensor is installed (indoor or outdoor), there is a hassle of adjusting the sensing distance of the sensor or replacing the sensor, and in the case of a vehicle malfunction, information is displayed according to the degree of accumulation of objects in the loading box. Malfunction or a vehicle with a high vehicle height may cause malfunction due to the influence of the dead distance of the sensor.

In addition, depending on the temperature and environment, the excitation of the ultrasonic sensor increases and the minimum sensing distance performance decreases. The operating frequency and characteristics of the ultrasonic sensor transducer vary depending on the temperature of the surrounding environment, and the conventional method uses a method of reducing excitation by using a compensation pulse set in a specific temperature condition, thus minimizing excitation under various environmental conditions. There is a problem that the method cannot be implemented.

Korean Patent Publication No. 1999-0026657 (published on April 15, 1999)

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus capable of improving minimum sensing distance performance by changing a frequency setting of a transmission signal in an ultrasonic sensor used in a vehicle. Specifically, it is characterized by generating a compensation pulse capable of minimizing the excitation by measuring the excitation generated for the transmitted ultrasound signal and comparing the results of the excitation generation in the current period and the excitation generation in the previous period. .

Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic signal optimization method capable of improving the minimum sensing distance performance by changing a frequency setting of a transmission signal in an ultrasonic sensor used in a vehicle.

The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

An ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem includes an ultrasonic signal detector for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal, a first ringing time of the ultrasonic signal transmitted from the ultrasonic signal detector An excitation measurement unit that measures A, a comparison operation unit that compares the first ringing time with a pre-stored second ringing time to calculate a correction frequency, and generates an inverse voltage signal that generates an electrical damping pulse having the correction frequency And a control unit that performs a control operation to apply the reverse voltage signal to the ultrasonic signal detector.

In some embodiments of the present invention, when the first ringing time is different from the second ringing time, the comparison operation unit may calculate the correction frequency using a preset parameter value.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the parameter value may include the frequency of the correction pulse, the position of the correction pulse, and the duration of the correction pulse.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a memory unit for storing information on the second ringing time may be further included.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the memory unit may further store a lookup table, and the comparison operation unit may calculate the correction frequency using the lookup table.

An ultrasonic signal optimization method according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem includes transmitting an ultrasonic signal, measuring a first ringing time of the ultrasonic signal, and storing the first ringing time in a memory in advance. Comparing with the stored second ringing time, calculating a correction frequency, and generating an inverse voltage signal using the correction frequency.

In some embodiments of the present invention, in the calculating of the correction frequency, the correction frequency may be calculated using a preset parameter value.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the parameter value may include the frequency of the correction pulse, the position of the correction pulse, and the duration of the correction pulse.

In some embodiments of the present invention, after generating the reverse voltage signal, the step of applying the reverse voltage signal to the ultrasonic signal may be further included.

According to the present invention as described above, since a correction pulse is generated and applied to minimize the excitation of the ultrasonic signal even when the surrounding environment changes in various ways by using the ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus and method, the minimum sensing distance performance of the ultrasonic sensor for a vehicle is It can be improved. In particular, since the correction pulse is generated using parameters such as the frequency of the correction pulse, the position of the correction pulse, and the duration of the correction pulse, an ultrasonic sensor signal with minimal excitation can be automatically generated even under various temperatures and environments. have.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a distance measurement method using an ultrasonic sensor.
2 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of a driving signal for removing excitation of an ultrasonic sensor signal.
3 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating an ultrasound signal optimization method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and a method of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in various forms different from each other, and only these embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to completely inform the scope of the invention to those who have it, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the specification.

Although the first, second, etc. are used to describe various elements, components, and/or sections, of course, these elements, components and/or sections are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component or section from another element, component or section. Therefore, it goes without saying that the first element, the first element, or the first section mentioned below may be a second element, a second element, or a second section within the technical scope of the present invention.

Terms used in the present specification are for describing exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular form also includes the plural form unless specifically stated in the phrase. As used in the specification, "comprises" and/or "made of" a referenced component, step, operation and/or element is one or more of the other elements, steps, operations and/or elements. It does not exclude presence or addition.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the present specification may be used as meanings that can be commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in a commonly used dictionary are not interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly defined specifically.

The ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus and method according to the present invention, in the front and rear parking assistance system, optimizes the excitation of the ultrasonic sensor to compensate for the decrease in minimum sensing distance performance due to the increase of the excitation of the ultrasonic sensor depending on temperature and environment. It has a purpose. The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for optimizing excitation by measuring excitation after transmission of an ultrasonic signal and calculating optimally corrected frequency pulses within a parameter range.

Specifically, the operating frequency and characteristics of the transducer of the ultrasonic sensor vary depending on the temperature, but in the conventional ultrasonic distance measuring device for front and rear of a vehicle, the correction frequency for the electrical damping pulse under a specific temperature condition is set. As it is used in all temperature ranges, it is difficult to generate optimal correction pulses under various environmental conditions. In addition, due to the signal delay between the transducer driver and the transducer, it is difficult to generate an optimal correction pulse. Eventually, the excitation further increases according to changes in temperature and environment, limiting the near-field detection performance of the ultrasonic sensor.

First, a method for measuring a distance using an ultrasonic sensor and a driving signal for removing excitation of an ultrasonic sensor signal will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a distance measurement method using an ultrasonic sensor.

Referring to FIG. 1, the vehicle front and rear parking assist system uses the principle of determining the distance to the object 30 by calculating a time to return after transmitting an ultrasonic signal from an ultrasonic sensor and reflecting off the object 30. The ultrasonic sensor specifically includes a semiconductor device 10 and a transducer 20.

The semiconductor device 10 generates an ultrasonic signal and drives the transducer 20 to transmit the ultrasonic signal to the outside, and the ultrasonic signal reflected from the object 30 and received is input through the transducer 20.

The semiconductor device 10 amplifies the received ultrasonic signal and processes an object detection signal. In order to detect a distant object, there is a method of increasing the transmission energy or increasing the amplification factor of the receiver. In this case, a booster outside the semiconductor device 10 is used to increase the transmission energy (voltage).

On the other hand, in order to detect an object in a short distance, the excitation generated by the transducer 20 is important. After the ultrasonic signal is transmitted through the transducer 20, residual vibration remains in the transducer 20, which is referred to as excitation or ringing, and the time period in which the ringing exists is referred to as ringing time.

In such a ringing time period, it is difficult to determine an object detection signal due to residual vibration, so that the minimum detection distance increases. The minimum sensing distance means a minimum value of a distance at which distance measurement can be performed using an ultrasonic sensor.

Therefore, it is important to reduce the ringing time in order to detect an object in a short distance.

2 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of a driving signal for removing excitation of an ultrasonic sensor signal.

Referring to FIG. 2, after transmitting an ultrasonic signal through the transducer 20, a specific pulse (a section or c section pulse) such as an inverse signal of the ringing signal is applied to reduce the ringing of the transducer 20. have. During the ringing time, the reverse phase signal is transmitted to the transducer 20 to cancel the internal energy, thereby reducing the ringing time.

However, the operating frequency and characteristics of the transducer 20 vary depending on the temperature. In the conventional method, since it is used in all temperature ranges by setting the correction frequency under a specific temperature condition, the optimum correction frequency under various temperature and environmental conditions Difficult to set up.

As a result, ringing is further increased depending on temperature and environmental conditions, thereby limiting the minimum sensing distance performance of the ultrasonic sensor.

Hereinafter, an ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, an ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an ultrasonic signal detection unit 100 and a frequency optimization apparatus 200, and the frequency optimization apparatus 200 includes an excitation measurement unit 210 ), a comparison operation unit 220, a reverse voltage signal generation unit 230, and a control unit 240.

The ultrasonic signal detector 100 transmits and receives ultrasonic signals. The ultrasonic signal detection unit 100 is installed in the front, rear, or side of the vehicle to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals for measuring distances to surrounding objects.

According to the present invention, the ultrasonic signal detector 100 may receive feedback information from the frequency optimization apparatus 200 and transmit/receive an ultrasonic signal whose frequency is changed.

The ultrasonic signal transmitted from the ultrasonic signal detection unit 100 may be provided to the frequency optimization device 200 and used to generate an inverse voltage signal for minimizing the ringing time.

The excitation measurement unit 210 may measure a first ringing time of the ultrasound signal transmitted from the ultrasound signal detection unit 100. With respect to the ultrasonic signal, the excitation pulse may be measured by measuring a pulse having a frequency and width different from that of the driving pulse. The first ringing time may be measured by measuring a section in which the excitation pulse exists.

In addition, the excitation measurement unit 210 may variably adjust a frequency within a preset specific frequency region and apply it to the ultrasonic signal detection unit 100 to measure the ringing time of the ultrasonic signal detection unit 100 for each frequency. .

The comparison operation unit 220 may calculate a correction frequency by comparing the first ringing time with the previously stored second ringing time. Specifically, when the first ringing time is different from the second ringing time, the correction frequency may be calculated using a preset parameter value. That is, when the ringing time is changed, the comparison operation unit 220 may calculate the correction frequency using a preset parameter value.

In this case, the parameter value may include the frequency of the correction pulse, the position of the correction pulse, and the duration of the correction pulse.

The comparison operation unit 220 may pre-store parameter values related to the frequency of the correction pulse, the position of the correction pulse, and the duration of the correction pulse, and use the previously stored parameter values to correct when the ringing time is changed. Thus, the correction frequency can be calculated.

For example, a field for the correction frequency can be included from 0 to 15, and a value corresponding to the optimal correction frequency while applying a parameter value corresponding to another field in the vicinity based on the correction frequency corresponding to a specific field. Can be calculated. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a number of fields other than 16 fields may be included.

Each field included in the 0-15 fields has various parameter values set in advance, and a specific field (for example, field 4) is selected first and the corresponding correction frequency is calculated and applied to the ultrasonic signal. It can be determined whether the ringing time is minimized.

In order to determine whether the ringing time is minimized when a parameter value corresponding to a specific field (e.g., field 4) is applied, another field (e.g., field 4) around a specific field (e.g., field 4) The process of applying a parameter value corresponding to field 3 or field 5) may be repeated.

That is, a correction frequency calculated using a parameter value corresponding to another field (eg, field 3 or field 5) around a specific field (eg, field 4) is applied to the ultrasound signal, and the ringing time You can determine if it is minimized. If this process is repeated several times, the optimum correction frequency can be calculated. According to the present invention, since the process of calculating while changing parameter values in order to calculate the optimum correction frequency can be automatically performed, it is possible to quickly respond to temperature and environmental changes to generate an ultrasonic signal with a minimized ringing time. have.

When the optimum correction frequency is calculated by the comparison operation unit 220, the reverse voltage signal generator 230 may generate an electrical damping pulse having the optimum correction frequency.

The control unit 240 controls the reverse voltage signal generated by the reverse voltage signal generator 230 to be applied to the ultrasonic signal generated by the ultrasonic signal detection unit 100, thereby minimizing the ringing time in the ultrasonic signal detection unit 100 Can generate an ultrasonic signal.

4 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of description, descriptions of portions substantially the same as those of the ultrasound signal optimization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4, an ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention includes an ultrasonic signal detection unit 100 and a frequency optimization apparatus 200, and the frequency optimization apparatus 200 includes an excitation measurement unit 210 ), a comparison operation unit 220, a reverse voltage signal generation unit 230, a control unit 240, and a memory unit 250.

The operation of the ultrasonic signal detection unit 100 and the operation of the excitation measurement unit 210, the comparison operation unit 220, the reverse voltage signal generation unit 230, and the control unit 240 included in the frequency optimization device 200 Is substantially the same as described above.

The frequency optimization apparatus 200 may further include a memory unit 250.

The memory unit 250 may pre-store information on the previously measured ringing time. Using the information on the ringing time stored in the memory unit 250, it is possible to compare whether or not it is the same as the ringing time measured by the excitation measurement unit 210.

That is, the comparison operation unit 220 may transmit and receive data with the memory unit 250, and the comparison operation unit 220 includes information about the ringing time provided from the excitation measurement unit 210 and the ringing stored in the memory unit 250 Time-related information can be compared and the optimum correction frequency can be calculated.

In addition, the memory unit 250 may pre-store information on parameter values necessary for the comparison operation unit 220 to calculate an optimal correction frequency. This may be previously stored in the form of a lookup table, and the comparison operation unit 220 may calculate an optimal correction frequency using the lookup table stored in the memory unit 250.

In the lookup table, for example, various parameter values included in each of the 0 to 15 fields may be previously stored. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a number of fields other than 16 fields may be included.

5 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of explanation, descriptions of portions substantially the same as those of the ultrasound signal optimization apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 5, an ultrasonic signal optimizing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention includes an ultrasonic signal detector 100 and a frequency optimizing apparatus 200, and the ultrasonic signal detector 100 includes a semiconductor device ( 110) and a transducer 120, and the frequency optimization apparatus 200 includes an excitation measurement unit 210, a comparison operation unit 220, an inverse voltage signal generation unit 230, and a control unit 240.

An ultrasonic signal is generated by the semiconductor device 110 included in the frequency optimization device 200, and the ultrasonic signal generated by the semiconductor device 110 may be transmitted to the outside through the transducer 120.

In addition, an ultrasonic signal reflected from an external object is input to the semiconductor device 110 through the transducer 120, and the semiconductor device 110 may perform a distance sensing operation. The semiconductor device 110 may amplify the received ultrasonic signal and perform object detection signal processing.

According to the present invention, other devices that increase the transmission energy or increase the amplification factor of the transducer 120 may be further used to detect an object at a distance. A booster may be further included outside the semiconductor device 110 to increase transmission energy (voltage).

* Descriptions of the excitation measurement unit 210, the comparison operation unit 220, the reverse voltage signal generation unit 230, and the control unit 240 included in the frequency optimization device 200 are substantially the same as those described above.

6 is a block diagram illustrating an ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of explanation, descriptions of portions substantially the same as those of the ultrasound signal optimization apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 6, an ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention includes an ultrasonic signal detection unit 100 and a frequency optimization apparatus 200, and the ultrasonic signal detection unit 100 includes a semiconductor device ( 110) and a transducer 120, and the frequency optimization device 200 includes an excitation measurement unit 210, a comparison operation unit 220, an inverse voltage signal generation unit 230, a control unit 240, and a memory unit ( 250).

The semiconductor device 110, the transducer 120, the excitation measurement unit 210, the comparison operation unit 220, the reverse voltage signal generation unit 230, the control unit 240, and the memory unit 250 are described above. Since it is substantially the same as that, further description will be omitted.

* Hereinafter, a method for optimizing an ultrasonic signal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

7 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a method of optimizing an ultrasound signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, in the ultrasonic signal optimization method according to an embodiment of the present invention, first, an ultrasonic signal is transmitted (S101).

Subsequently, the first ringing time of the ultrasonic signal is measured (S102), and the first ringing time is compared with the second ringing time previously stored in the memory (S103).

Subsequently, the first ringing time and the second ringing time are compared, and when different, the correction frequency is calculated (S104). In calculating the correction frequency, the correction frequency may be calculated using a preset parameter value. Here, the preset parameter values include the frequency of the correction pulse, the position of the correction pulse, and the duration of the correction pulse.

Specifically, since the calculation of the correction frequency varies for each operating condition, the optimum correction frequency is calculated by repeating a search process within a range of possible parameter values after power is applied. This search process is substantially the same as described above.

After the optimum value for the correction frequency is determined, since only a small change in the changed correction frequency due to temperature and environmental changes occurs from the optimum value, the changed optimum value can be easily calculated through a search process.

After the optimum value for the correction frequency is calculated, an inverse voltage signal is generated by using the correction frequency (S105).

After the reverse voltage signal is generated, it is applied to the ultrasonic signal to generate an ultrasonic signal with a minimized ringing time.

The steps of the method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments of the present invention may be directly implemented in hardware executed by a processor, a software module, or a combination of the two. The software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, register, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other type of recording medium known in the art. An exemplary recording medium is coupled to a processor, which processor is capable of reading information from and writing information to a storage medium. Alternatively, the recording medium may be integral with the processor. The processor and recording medium may reside within an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC may reside within the user terminal. Alternatively, the processor and recording medium may reside as separate components within the user terminal.

In the above, embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features. You can understand that there is. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative and non-limiting in all respects.

Claims (7)

An ultrasonic signal detector for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals;
An excitation measurement unit for measuring a first ringing time of the ultrasound signal transmitted from the ultrasound signal detection unit;
A comparison calculator configured to calculate a correction frequency by comparing the first ringing time with a pre-stored second ringing time;
A reverse voltage signal generator for generating an electrical damping pulse having the correction frequency according to a result of comparing the first ringing time and the second ringing time; And
In the ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus comprising a control unit for performing a control operation to apply the reverse voltage signal to the ultrasonic signal detection unit,
The comparison operation unit,
Various parameter values are preset in multiple fields,
A correction frequency is calculated using a parameter value corresponding to a specific field and other fields around the specific field, and the correction frequency is applied to the ultrasonic signal, but the calculation and the application are performed by changing the parameter value. As a result of repetition, when the ringing time is minimized, determining the correction frequency as an optimal correction frequency,
Ultrasonic signal optimization device. The method of claim 1,
The parameter value includes the frequency of the correction pulse, the position of the correction pulse, and the duration of the correction pulse. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a memory unit for storing information on the second ringing time. The method of claim 3,
The memory unit further stores a lookup table,
The ultrasonic signal optimization apparatus, wherein the comparison operation unit calculates the correction frequency using the lookup table. Transmitting an ultrasonic signal;
Measuring a first ringing time of the ultrasonic signal;
Comparing the first ringing time with a second ringing time previously stored in a memory;
Calculating an optimal correction frequency; And
In the ultrasonic signal optimization method comprising the step of generating an inverse voltage signal using the optimal correction frequency according to a result of comparing the first ringing time and the second ringing time,
The step of calculating the optimal correction frequency,
A correction frequency is calculated using a parameter value set in advance in a specific field and other fields surrounding the specific field, and the correction frequency is applied to the ultrasonic signal, but the calculation and the When the ringing time is minimized as a result of repeating the application, determining the correction frequency as an optimal correction frequency;
Including, ultrasonic signal optimization method. The method of claim 5,
The parameter value includes the frequency of the correction pulse, the position of the correction pulse, and the duration of the correction pulse. The method of claim 5,
After generating the reverse voltage signal, the method further comprises applying the reverse voltage signal to the ultrasonic signal.

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