Abstract: A method for identifying a change of a range of a lidar sensor involves a lidar sensor receiving a reference noise level of infrared radiation. A signal-to-noise ratio of infrared radiation reflected on the reference target and received by the lidar sensor are identified in a reference measurement having a reference target located at a predetermined distance to the lidar sensor. In a driving operation measurement, a current noise level of received infrared radiation is identified and a theoretical distance to a position where the reference target ought to be if, at the current noise level, the same signal-to-noise ratio applies as in the reference measurement is identified from the current noise level. A change in range calculation identifies a difference between the predetermined distance and the theoretical distance. The difference corresponds to the change of the range of the lidar sensor compared to its range during the reference measurement.

Abstract: Dirt on a viewing window of a lidar is detected using a laser beam transmitted into a detection region and detecting light that is present in the detection region. An intensity image is generated as a greyscale image of intensities of laser reflections from the light reflected and detected as a result of the transmission of the laser beam. A background light image is generated as a greyscale image of background light from the light detected without transmitting a laser beam. The intensity image and the background light image are analyzed with respect to common features. When a number of common features falls below a predetermined number, it is concluded that there is dirt on the viewing window.

Abstract: A method for determining a sensor degradation status of a first sensor system includes: providing data of the first sensor system to represent the environment; providing data of a second sensor system to represent the environment; determining an individual blindness indicator for the first sensor system on the basis of sensor data exclusively of the first sensor system; determining at least one first environment-related determination variable based on the provided data of the first sensor system; determining at least one second environment-related determination variable based on the provided data of the second sensor system; determining a fusion blindness indicator based on a comparison of the at least one first environment-related determination variable with the at least one second environment-related determination variable; and determining the sensor degradation status of the first sensor system based on of the individual blindness indicator and the fusion blindness indicator.

Abstract: A method for identifying a change of a range of a lidar sensor involves a lidar sensor receiving a reference noise level of infrared radiation. A signal-to-noise ratio of infrared radiation reflected on the reference target and received by the lidar sensor are identified in a reference measurement having a reference target located at a predetermined distance to the lidar sensor. In a driving operation measurement, a current noise level of received infrared radiation is identified and a theoretical distance to a position where the reference target ought to be if, at the current noise level, the same signal-to-noise ratio applies as in the reference measurement is identified from the current noise level. A change in range calculation identifies a difference between the predetermined distance and the theoretical distance. The difference corresponds to the change of the range of the lidar sensor compared to its range during the reference measurement.

Abstract: A method for detecting dirt in the signal path of an optical sensor arrangement. To detect objects via a plurality of photodetector elements of the sensor arrangement, light signals are reflected at the objects to be detected. A respective object is classified according to its type and the object is assigned to an object class with a specified reflectivity during the classification. A distance to the object is measured. Crosstalk of the detected light signals on a plurality of photodetector elements is determined and a degree of dirtying is ascertained on the basis of the specified reflectivity ascertained during the classification, the distance and a degree of the crosstalk.

Abstract: A method for detecting imaging degradation of an imaging sensor includes (i) providing an image of a surrounding area, said image being generated by the imaging sensor; (ii) detecting imaging degradation for each sub-image of a plurality of sub-images of the image using a neural network trained for this purpose; and (iii) detecting the imaging degradation of the sensor, said imaging degradation exhibiting the ratio of the number of sub-images of the image with detected degradation to the plurality of sub-images.

Abstract: A method and device for identifying contamination on a protective screen of a lidar sensor may involve determining a sector background noise in a particular sector of a detection region of the lidar sensor and a detection region background noise is determined in a remaining detection region or the entire detection region. Contamination in the sector in question is then determined if the sector background noise is significantly lower than the detection region background noise. Alternatively, or additionally, a sector background noise is determined in the sector in question at different sensitivities of a receiver of the lidar sensor, and contamination in the sector in question is then determined if a sector background noise determined with a higher sensitivity is not significantly higher than a sector background noise determined with a lower sensitivity.

Abstract: A method for the supplementary detection of objects by a LIDAR system. The LIDAR system is configured to scan a solid angle range to carry out a primary distance determination method for surroundings objects. An emitter unit emits at least one laser beam in a solid angle strip of the solid angle range, laser light reflected from surroundings objects being received by a detector unit to ascertain the distance and the position of surroundings objects with the aid of the primary distance determination method. The method includes: scanning the entire solid angle range and subsequently generating a two-dimensional intensity distribution of the detected signal light. This is followed by generating a corrected two-dimensional intensity distribution by removing blooming signals and analyzing the corrected two-dimensional intensity distribution for the supplementary detection of surroundings objects in addition to the primary distance determination method.

Abstract: The invention comprises semifinished products with a structured surface, the semifinished product comprising an oxidized and subsequently re-reduced surface containing at least one refractory metal, and also a process for their production and their use for producing high-capacitance components.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating or preventing preterm labor in pregnant female subjects. The method comprises the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a Toll-like Receptor 9 antagonist sufficient to prevent the activation of Toll-like Receptor 9 by fetal DNA. The invention further provides compositions comprising a Toll-like Receptor 9 antagonist for use in the methods of the invention. The compositions and methods of the present invention enhance gestation and therefore improve neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating or preventing preterm labor in pregnant female subjects. The method comprises the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a Toll-like Receptor 9 antagonist sufficient to prevent the activation of Toll-like Receptor 9 by fetal DNA. The invention further provides compositions comprising a Toll-like Receptor 9 antagonist for use in the methods of the invention. Said compositions and methods enhance gestation and therefore improve neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Abstract: The invention comprises semifinished products with a structured surface, the semifinished product comprising an oxidized and subsequently re-reduced surface containing at least one refractory metal, and also a process for their production and their use for producing high-capacitance components.