Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicles to communicate with people outside the vehicle. In particular, a two-way communication system is provided including exterior microphone arrays on the vehicle. Calls performed from the exterior of a vehicle can be difficult to implement with acceptable quality in noisy environments. A pipeline having multiple beamformers is provided to improve call quality, where the pipeline operates on the incoming data for each of the microphone arrays. Each beamformer estimates direction of arrival (DOA) of the speech signal, and utilizes the estimated DOA to generate spatial filtering coefficients to filter the signal. A beamformer can be used to generate a one channel output for each microphone array, and a mixer can be used to mix the signal output from each microphone array. The beamformer enables reliable two-way communication with acceptable listening quality and good intelligibility for the remote assistant listening to the captured signal.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for deicing/defrosting an ultrasonic sensor using frequency tuning. An example method can include determining that a radiation surface of a housing of an acoustic sensor includes a layer of frozen precipitation, wherein the housing contains a transducer configured to emit sound waves through the radiation surface and receive sound waves that are reflected from a target and pass through the radiation surface to the transducer; determining resonance frequency for sound waves that yields a shear stress on an interface between the radiation surface and the layer of frozen precipitation on the radiation surface, wherein the shear stress exceeds an adhesive shear strength of the layer of frozen precipitation; generating the sound waves having the resonance frequency; and removing the layer of frozen precipitation on the radiation surface based on the sound waves having the resonance frequency.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicles to communicate with people outside the vehicle. In particular, a two-way communication system is provided including exterior microphone arrays on the vehicle. Calls performed from the exterior of a vehicle can be difficult to implement with acceptable quality in noisy environments. A pipeline having multiple beamformers is provided to improve call quality, where the pipeline operates on the incoming data for each of the microphone arrays. Each beamformer estimates direction of arrival (DOA) of the speech signal, and utilizes the estimated DOA to generate spatial filtering coefficients to filter the signal. A beamformer can be used to generate a one channel output for each microphone array, and a mixer can be used to mix the signal output from each microphone array. The beamformer enables reliable two-way communication with acceptable listening quality and good intelligibility for the remote assistant listening to the captured signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic detection system provides enhanced object detection capabilities. The ultrasonic detection system can generate complex ultrasonic waveforms based on excitation voltage waveforms constructed using high frequency components. In certain embodiments, an ultrasonic detection system may be capable of producing multiple different waveforms, e.g., different waveforms output by different transmitters, or multiple time-multiplexed waveforms output by the same transmitter. The ultrasonic detection system may be included in an autonomous vehicle (AV) for object detection in the environment of the AV.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring the structural integrity of a vehicle. In particular, systems and methods are provided for using transducers positioned at various location in and on a vehicle to measure parameters related vehicle structural health. In various implementations, the integrity of the vehicle frame and the integrity of the vehicle body are monitored using a multi-axis accelerometer and/or microphone. The use of transducers for monitoring can replace time-consuming and expensive manual inspections.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using sensors and signal processing to detect vehicle surface impacts. In particular, a sensor and signal processing approach is provided for detecting impacts, with the results having a low false positive rate. The approach reduces operator costs by reducing operator involvement through improved automated detection technology. Additionally, systems and methods are provided for distinguishing chassis-driven fascia vibration from impact-driven fascia vibration.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for deicing/defrosting an ultrasonic sensor using frequency tuning. An example method can include determining that a radiation surface of a housing of an acoustic sensor includes a layer of frozen precipitation, wherein the housing contains a transducer configured to emit sound waves through the radiation surface and receive sound waves that are reflected from a target and pass through the radiation surface to the transducer; determining resonance frequency for sound waves that yields a shear stress on an interface between the radiation surface and the layer of frozen precipitation on the radiation surface, wherein the shear stress exceeds an adhesive shear strength of the layer of frozen precipitation; generating the sound waves having the resonance frequency; and removing the layer of frozen precipitation on the radiation surface based on the sound waves having the resonance frequency.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides solutions for preventing the ingress of potentially harmful materials, such as moisture and debris, into a sensor housing. In some aspects, an ingress-protection sub-assembly is provided. The sub-assembly can include a t-protector mounted to an outer surface of a face-plate, wherein the t-protector is disposed above an inlet in the face-plate, a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted to an inner surface of the face-plate, and a membrane disposed between the PCB and the face-plate. Methods for assembling and mounting a sub-assembly are also provided.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to sealing and protecting micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) microphones. In some cases, a MEMS microphone protection apparatus may include a housing, at least one acoustic port extending through the housing providing an aperture; and at least one membrane positioned within the at least one acoustic port. In some examples, the membrane can seal the at least one acoustic port.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides solutions for preventing the ingress of potentially harmful materials, such as moisture and debris, into a sensor housing. In some aspects, an ingress-protection sub-assembly is provided. The sub-assembly can include a t-protector mounted to an outer surface of a face-plate, wherein the t-protector is disposed above an inlet in the face-plate, a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted to an inner surface of the face-plate, and a membrane disposed between the PCB and the face-plate. Methods for assembling and mounting a sub-assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A combination of lookup tables for waveforms and several scaling and delay factors to accurately simulate touch and collision transducer sensor output without the complexity of solving the classical wave equation or performing convolutions in the frequency domain. TACT, as used herein, is a touch and collision transducer sensor used for detecting collisions. When the vehicle collides with an object a wave will be generated by the touch and collision transducer sensors. The waveform can take many forms depending on various parameter. Pre-recorded waveforms can be used to simulate the collisions and produce appropriate outputs. However, the present disclosure contemplates more complex, diverse waveforms which can be produced based on the existing pre-recorded libraries. To this end, simulated waveforms can be produced by scaling, filtering, delaying and combining with road noise, based on the impact material and contact area, at least in part.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using sensors and signal processing to detect vehicle surface impacts. In particular, a sensor and signal processing approach is provided for detecting impacts, with the results having a low false positive rate. The approach reduces operator costs by reducing operator involvement through improved automated detection technology. Additionally, systems and methods are provided for distinguishing chassis-driven fascia vibration from impact-driven fascia vibration.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring the structural integrity of a vehicle. In particular, systems and methods are provided for using transducers positioned at various location in and on a vehicle to measure parameters related vehicle structural health. In various implementations, the integrity of the vehicle frame and the integrity of the vehicle body are monitored using a multi-axis accelerometer and/or microphone. The use of transducers for monitoring can replace time-consuming and expensive manual inspections.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using sensors and signal processing to detect vehicle surface impacts. In particular, a sensor and signal processing approach is provided for detecting impacts, with the results having a low false positive rate. The approach reduces operator costs by reducing operator involvement through improved automated detection technology. Additionally, systems and methods are provided for distinguishing chassis-driven fascia vibration from impact-driven fascia vibration.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring the structural integrity of a vehicle. In particular, systems and methods are provided for using transducers positioned at various location in and on a vehicle to measure parameters related vehicle structural health. In various implementations, the integrity of the vehicle frame and the integrity of the vehicle body are monitored using a multi-axis accelerometer and/or microphone. The use of transducers for monitoring can replace time-consuming and expensive manual inspections.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes a first ultrasonic sensor and a second ultrasonic sensor that is included in a daisy chain with the first ultrasonic sensor, wherein the first ultrasonic sensor is electrically connected to the second ultrasonic sensor in the daisy chain by way of a twisted pair wire. The autonomous vehicle further includes an electronic control unit (ECU) for the first ultrasonic sensor and the second ultrasonic sensor, the ECU is included in the daisy chain with the first ultrasonic sensor and the second ultrasonic sensor, wherein the ECU is electrically connected to the first ultrasonic sensor and the second ultrasonic sensor by way of the twisted pair wire, and further wherein the ECU is in bidirectional communication with the first ultrasonic sensor and the second ultrasonic sensor by way of differential signaling over the twisted pair wire.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using sensors and signal processing to detect vehicle surface impacts. In particular, a sensor and signal processing approach is provided for detecting impacts, with the results having a low false positive rate. The approach reduces operator costs by reducing operator involvement through improved automated detection technology. Additionally, systems and methods are provided for distinguishing chassis-driven fascia vibration from impact-driven fascia vibration.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring the structural integrity of a vehicle. In particular, systems and methods are provided for using transducers positioned at various location in and on a vehicle to measure parameters related vehicle structural health. In various implementations, the integrity of the vehicle frame and the integrity of the vehicle body are monitored using a multi-axis accelerometer and/or microphone. The use of transducers for monitoring can replace time-consuming and expensive manual inspections.