System and method for measuring a relative distance between vehicle components using ultra-wideband techniques
First Claim
1. A system for measuring relative distance between a first component on a vehicle and a second component on the vehicle, the system comprising:
- a wireless ultra-wideband (UWB) transceiver attached to the first component, the wireless UWB transceiver being configured to transmit a UWB measurement pulse toward the second component, and to receive a reflected UWB pulse from a reflective surface of the second component, wherein the reflected UWB pulse represents a reflected version of the UWB measurement pulse;
a processor coupled to the wireless UWB transceiver, the processor being configured to derive a relative distance between the first component and the second component, based upon characteristics of the UWB measurement pulse and the reflected UWB pulse; and
a power generating system for the wireless UWB transceiver, the power generating system being configured to generate operating voltage for the wireless UWB transceiver from kinetic energy associated with motion of the first component relative to the second component.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for measuring relative distance between a first component on a vehicle and a second component on the vehicle is provided. The system includes a wireless ultra-wideband (UWB) transceiver attached to the first component. The wireless UWB transceiver transmits a UWB measurement pulse toward the second component, and receives a reflected UWB pulse from a reflective surface of the second component. The reflected UWB pulse represents a reflected version of the UWB measurement pulse. The system also includes a processor coupled to the wireless UWB transceiver. The processor derives a relative distance between the first component and the second component, based upon characteristics of the UWB measurement pulse and the reflected UWB pulse. The system further includes a power generating system for the wireless UWB transceiver. The power generating system generates operating voltage for the wireless UWB transceiver from kinetic energy associated with motion of the first component relative to the second component.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for measuring relative distance between a first component on a vehicle and a second component on the vehicle, the system comprising:
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a wireless ultra-wideband (UWB) transceiver attached to the first component, the wireless UWB transceiver being configured to transmit a UWB measurement pulse toward the second component, and to receive a reflected UWB pulse from a reflective surface of the second component, wherein the reflected UWB pulse represents a reflected version of the UWB measurement pulse; a processor coupled to the wireless UWB transceiver, the processor being configured to derive a relative distance between the first component and the second component, based upon characteristics of the UWB measurement pulse and the reflected UWB pulse; and a power generating system for the wireless UWB transceiver, the power generating system being configured to generate operating voltage for the wireless UWB transceiver from kinetic energy associated with motion of the first component relative to the second component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for measuring relative distance between a first component on a vehicle and a second component on the vehicle, the system comprising:
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an ultra-wideband (UWB) transceiver coupled to the first component, the UWB transceiver being configured to operate in a measurement mode and a reporting mode; a reflector on the second component, the reflector being configured to reflect UWB measurement pulses generated by the UWB transceiver; and a processor coupled to the UWB transceiver, the processor being configured to control operation of the UWB transceiver in the measurement mode and the reporting mode;
whereinwhile operating in the measurement mode, the UWB transceiver transmits a UWB measurement pulse toward the reflector, and receives a reflected UWB pulse from the reflector, the reflected UWB pulse representing a reflected version of the UWB measurement pulse; while operating in the measurement mode, the processor calculates a relative distance between the first component and the second component, based upon characteristics of the UWB measurement pulse and the reflected UWB pulse; and while operating in the reporting mode, the UWB transceiver transmits one or more signals that convey information associated with the relative distance. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of measuring relative distance between a first component on a vehicle and a second component on the vehicle, the method comprising:
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generating electrical current in response to movement of the first component; converting the electrical current into a DC operating voltage for an ultra-wideband (UWB) transceiver that is attached to the first component; transmitting a UWB measurement pulse from the UWB transceiver, the UWB measurement pulse being directed toward a reflective element of the second component; the UWB transceiver receiving, in response to the UWB measurement pulse, a reflected UWB pulse from the reflected element; and determining a distance measurement based upon a propagation time associated with the UWB measurement pulse and the reflected UWB pulse, the distance measurement indicating distance between the first component and the second component. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification