阅读说明：本技术 用于运行车辆的gnss传感器的方法 (Method for operating a GNSS sensor of a vehicle ) 是由 M·R·埃韦特 于 2018-12-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于运行车辆(2)的GNSS传感器(2)的方法,该车辆的控制操作能够由电子控制单元(3)影响,还涉及一种用于运行车辆的方法,该车辆的控制操作能够由电子控制单元影响,以及涉及一种GNSS传感器和一种具有GNSS传感器的车辆。用于运行控制操作能够由电子控制单元影响的车辆的GNSS传感器的方法至少包括以下步骤：a)接收卫星数据；b)评估卫星数据；c)如果卫星数据的至少一部分不适合于车辆的定位,则停用GNSS传感器的至少一种运行模式。(The invention relates to a method for operating a GNSS sensor (2) of a vehicle (2), the control operation of which can be influenced by an electronic control unit (3), to a method for operating a vehicle, the control operation of which can be influenced by an electronic control unit, and to a GNSS sensor and a vehicle having a GNSS sensor. The method for operating a GNSS sensor for controlling the operation of a vehicle that can be influenced by an electronic control unit comprises at least the following steps: a) receiving satellite data; b) evaluating satellite data; c) at least one mode of operation of the GNSS sensor is deactivated if at least a portion of the satellite data is not suitable for the positioning of the vehicle.)

1. Method for operating a GNSS sensor (1) of a vehicle (2), the control operations of which can be influenced by an electronic control unit (3), comprising at least the following steps:

a) receiving satellite data;

b) evaluating said satellite data;

c) -deactivating at least one operating mode of said GNSS sensor (1) if at least a part of said satellite data is not suitable for the positioning of said vehicle (2).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one operating mode of said GNSS sensor (1) is deactivated if said GNSS sensor (1) extracts from said satellite data information that said satellite data is erroneous or disturbed.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one operating mode of said GNSS sensor (1) is deactivated if said satellite data is communicated to said GNSS sensor (1) over a communication connection with erroneous or disturbed information.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one operating mode of the GNSS sensor (1) is deactivated if the vehicle (2) is located in a certain area.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the deactivation of the at least one operating mode of the GNSS sensor (1) is reported to a superior system.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the at least one operating mode of the GNSS sensor (1) is reactivated if the superordinate system triggers an activation signal.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the operating mode of the GNSS sensor (1) corresponding to a specific satellite system is deactivated.

8. A method for operating a vehicle (2), the control operation of which can be influenced by an electronic control unit (3), the method comprising at least the following steps:

a) -determining the position of the vehicle (2) using a GNSS sensor (1) operating according to the method of any of claims 1 to 7;

b) -limiting the influence of the electronic control unit (3) on at least one of the control operations of the vehicle (2) if at least one operating mode of the GNSS sensor (1) is deactivated.

9. A control unit (3) provided and configured for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A vehicle (2) equipped with a GNSS sensor (1) and a control unit (3) according to claim 9, wherein the control operation of the vehicle (2) can be influenced by the electronic control unit (3).

11. A computer program product configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 with a control unit (3).

12. A machine readable storage medium on which the computer program product of claim 11 is stored.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for operating a GNSS sensor of a vehicle, the control operation of which can be influenced by an electronic control unit, to a method for operating a vehicle, the control operation of which can be influenced by an electronic control unit, and to a GNSS sensor and to a vehicle having a GNSS sensor. The invention also relates to a correspondingly configured computer program.

Background

An autonomous vehicle is a vehicle that does not require a driver. The vehicle is driven autonomously by detecting for example road courses, other traffic control or obstacles autonomously and calculating the corresponding control commands in the vehicle and forwarding these control commands to the actuators in the vehicle in order to influence the driving process of the vehicle correctly. In fully autonomous vehicles, the driver is not involved in the driving behavior.

Currently available vehicles are not capable of autonomous operation. On the one hand, because the corresponding technology is not yet fully developed. Another way is because the current legislation still states that the driver must be able to intervene in the driving behaviour himself at any time. This makes autonomous driving of the car difficult to implement. However, there are systems that are autonomous or partially autonomous from different manufacturers. These systems are in a dense testing phase. It is presently foreseen that fully autonomous vehicle systems will be released into the market after a few years once the above mentioned obstacles have been eliminated.

For autonomous operation, the vehicle in particular requires a sensor device which is able to acquire a high precision vehicle position, in particular by means of navigation satellite data (GPS, G L ONASS, beidou, Galileo).

Disclosure of Invention

A method for operating a GNSS sensor of a vehicle whose control operation can be influenced by an electronic control unit is proposed here according to claim 1, which method comprises at least the following steps:

a) receiving satellite data;

b) evaluating satellite data;

c) at least one mode of operation of the GNSS sensor is deactivated if at least a portion of the satellite data is not suitable for the positioning of the vehicle.

Here, the GNSS is a generic term for using existing and future global satellite systems such as GPS (navstar GPS), G L ONASS, beidou and Galileo, and thus the GNSS sensor is a sensing device suitable for receiving and processing, e.g., evaluating, navigation satellite data.

Preferably, the vehicle whose control operation can be effected by the electronic control unit is an autonomous vehicle. Particularly preferably, the vehicle is an autonomous automobile.

The GNSS sensor may be operable in different modes of operation, preferably in a GPS mode, a G L ONASS mode, a Beidou mode and/or a Galileo mode.

In other words, the solution proposed here describes in particular a method for (partially) deactivating (autonomous driving) GNSS sensors in a vehicle. For example, it makes sense to (at least partially) deactivate GNSS sensors when satellite data is heavily disturbed. For example in strong solar storms or in extreme weather conditions. Within the scope of the proposed solution, GNSS sensors in a vehicle may be deactivated directly or indirectly (at least partially).

According to one advantageous embodiment, at least one operating mode of the GNSS sensor is deactivated if the GNSS sensor extracts from the satellite data information that these satellite data are erroneous or disturbed. This may be referred to as direct deactivation. To this end, additional data may be encoded into the satellite data, so that it may preferably be detected by GNSS sensors that these satellite data are not available, in particular during the evaluation in step b). In this case, the GNSS sensor or at least one operating mode of the GNSS sensor may be deactivated with respect to the output data until valid GNSS data is again received from the satellites. In this case, the input signal of the satellite data may be processed as usual. However, in case of invalid satellite data, the GNSS sensor is preferably deactivated immediately. This allows the following advantages: if the satellite data for the area is severely distorted, for example, due to solar storms or extreme weather conditions, the autonomous vehicle may be taken out of service, for example, with respect to GNSS sensors. This makes it possible to prevent serious positional inaccuracies in automatic driving from the outset, and thus to avoid serious accidents.

According to one advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that at least one operating mode of the GNSS sensor is deactivated if the communication of the satellite data to the GNSS sensor via the communication connection is erroneous or disturbed. This may be referred to as indirect deactivation. For this purpose, status data about the GNSS system for the area in which the vehicle is located can be received, for example, by a Car-to-X communication connection installed in the vehicle or by a calibration service. Thus, in case of (very severely) disturbed satellite data, the GNSS sensor may be deactivated from the outside, preferably within a certain period of time, in particular by a special fault code. The GNSS sensors of the vehicle are preferably deactivated (autonomous) from the outside in a targeted manner if the quality of the satellite data falls below a certain value.

According to one advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that at least one operating mode of the GNSS sensors is deactivated if the vehicle is located in a specific (spatial) region. In other words, this means in particular that the GNSS sensor can be (partially) deactivated depending on the area or location. The specific area is preferably an area where insufficient satellite coverage has been predicted. Alternatively or additionally, a particular region may be a region for which satellite data arriving at the region is known to be erroneous or disturbed.

The specific area may also be an urban area. In cities, satellite reception is often very poor. This can be observed in particular in the house canyons, which is also known as the "urban canyon" problem in the field of GNSS systems. If the vehicle enters the urban area, the GNSS sensors are preferably deactivated in a targeted manner (partially) from the outside. This makes it possible for the autonomous vehicle to be forced to be positioned in an alternative manner in this region, or to be able to be controlled only manually in this region. This is advantageous because the performance of GNSS sensors is often insufficient for autopilot functions in this area. Conversely, it is thereby possible to achieve that GNSS sensors are only used when it is ensured that the quality of the received satellite data is also sufficient for autopilot.

Furthermore, it is preferred that at least one mode of operation of the GNSS sensor is deactivated for a certain period of time, for example for a period of solar storms. Particularly preferably, the specific time period depends on the area or the location.

According to one advantageous specific embodiment, it is provided that the deactivation of at least one operating mode of the GNSS sensor is reported to the superordinate system. In this case, it is particularly preferred if the superordinate system triggers an activation signal, at least one operating mode of the GNSS sensor is reactivated. The upper-level system may be a GNSS manager and/or a so-called cloud.

Preferably, if deactivation is performed in step c), the GNSS sensor informs the infrastructure or cloud, preferably via a Car-to-X communication connection, together with the vehicle ID: the GNSS sensor is (partially) deactivated. Here, the GNSS sensor may also send its last valid location and/or time and/or reason for deactivation (e.g., a code in the satellite data or a command from the outside). The cloud then preferably checks whether (partial) deactivation of the GNSS sensor is legitimate. In particular, if there is a reason for deactivation (e.g., a code in the satellite data or a command from the outside), the deactivation is legal. Subsequently, the cloud preferably sends a (corresponding) response to the GNSS sensor, preferably via Car-to-X, particularly preferably. It may be provided that the GNSS sensor remains (partially) deactivated if the deactivation is legitimate or during the time the deactivation is legitimate. In contrast, if the deactivation is not legal (or is no longer legal), the GNSS sensors can be reactivated, in particular from the cloud. If there is no reason to deactivate the GNSS sensor, this may indicate an internal GNSS sensor error or it may be that the GNSS sensor is interfered by a signal jammer. This information may be processed by the cloud accordingly.

It is proposed according to an advantageous embodiment to (only) deactivate an operating mode of the GNSS sensor corresponding to a particular satellite system, the particular satellite system preferably being a system in which signal interference is present or detected, for example to (only) deactivate a GPS mode of the GNSS sensor if (only) GPS signals are erroneous or disturbed, in other words, preferably to (depending on the situation) deactivate only a particular part of the GNSS sensor, for example to (temporarily) deactivate only a GPS path in the GNSS sensor may make sense for disturbed GPS data, while other satellite signals, for example G L ONASS or Galileo or beidou, continue to be evaluated by the GNSS sensor.

According to another aspect, a method for operating a vehicle is presented. The vehicle is a vehicle whose control operation can be influenced by an electronic control unit. The method at least comprises the following steps:

a) determining a vehicle position using a GNSS sensor, the GNSS sensor operating according to the method for operating a GNSS sensor presented herein;

b) the method further includes limiting an effect of the electronic control unit on at least one of the control operations of the vehicle if at least one operating mode of the GNSS sensor is deactivated.

If at least one operating mode of the GNSS sensor is deactivated, the vehicle travel speed (which can be preset by the control unit) is preferably limited in step b). The autopilot mode is preferably switched off in step b) if at least one operating mode of the GNSS sensor is deactivated. In particular, the autopilot mode is switched off if at least two operating modes or even all operating modes of the GNSS sensor are deactivated. This is based on the idea that: an autonomous vehicle in which the GNSS receiver is temporarily deactivated should only be operated manually or in any case the autonomous mode should be limited, for example, not to exceed a maximum speed.

According to another aspect, a GNSS sensor is proposed, which is provided and configured for carrying out the method proposed herein for operating a GNSS sensor.

According to another aspect, a vehicle equipped with a GNSS sensor as proposed herein is proposed. The control operation of the vehicle can be influenced by an electronic control unit. The vehicle is preferably an autonomous vehicle, particularly preferably an autonomous car.

A GNSS sensor may be understood here as an electrical device that processes sensor signals and outputs control signals and/or data signals depending on the sensor signals. The sensor may have an interface that may be implemented in hardware and/or software. In the case of a hardware implementation, the interface can be part of a so-called system ASIC (application specific integrated Circuit) which contains the most diverse functions of the device. However, the interface may also comprise an application specific integrated circuit or be at least partly constituted by discrete components. In case of an implementation in software, the interface may be a software module that is present, for example, on a microcontroller, among other software modules.

A computer program product or a computer program with a program code which can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory, and which is used to carry out, implement and/or control a method according to one of the embodiments described above, in particular when the program product or program is executed on a computer or a device, is also advantageous.

Drawings

The solution proposed here and its technical scope are explained in more detail below with the aid of the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention should not be limited by the illustrated embodiments. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, partial aspects of the facts explained in the figures may also be extracted and combined with other components and/or knowledge from other figures and/or the present description. Wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary flow of a method for operating a GNSS sensor in accordance with the present invention; and is

Fig. 2 schematically shows a vehicle with GNSS sensors.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically shows an exemplary flow of a method for operating a GNSS sensor according to the invention. First, satellite data is received in step a). These satellite data are evaluated in step b). In step c), if at least a part of the satellite data is not suitable for the positioning of the vehicle, at least one operating mode of the GNSS sensor is deactivated.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a vehicle 2 with GNSS sensors, which vehicle 2 is provided and configured for carrying out the method explained in connection with fig. 1. The vehicle 2 is a vehicle whose control operation is affected by the electronic control unit 3, and is, for example, an automatically-operated automobile. The GNSS sensor 1 is connected to the electronic control unit 3.

In particular, the solution proposed here helps to prevent serious and dangerous position errors in the autonomous vehicle, so that the safety of the autonomous vehicle can be improved.