Abstract: A perception and planning system includes a system frame and one or more cooling fans mounted on a first side of the system frame to generate an airflow flowing outwardly to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the processors. The system further includes an air filtering module mounted on a second side of the system frame to filter the air flow flowing inwardly to remove durst or contaminated material from the airflow. The air filtering module includes an air filter, a mounting plate, and a cover plate. The mounting plate can be mounted on the second side of the system frame to receive the air filter. The mounting plate includes one or more magnets. The cover plate can be attached to the mounting plate by a magnetic force generated from the magnets to keep the air filter between the mounting plate and the cover plate.

Abstract: A sensor unit includes a sensor interface and a host interface. The sensor interface can be coupled to a number of sensors mounted on various locations of the ADV. The host interface can be coupled to a host system that is configured to perceive a driving environment surrounding the ADV based on sensor data obtained from the sensors and to plan a path to autonomously drive the ADV. The sensor unit further includes a sensor processing module and a sensor control module coupled to the sensor interface, and a time module coupled to the sensor processing module and the sensor control module. The sensor processing module is configured to process sensor data received from the sensors via the sensor interface. The sensor control module is configured to control operations of the sensors. The time module is configured to generate time to synchronize timing of the operations of the sensors.

Abstract: A perception and planning system includes a system frame and one or more cooling fans mounted on a first side of the system frame to generate an airflow flowing outwardly to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the processors. The system further includes an air filtering module mounted on a second side of the system frame to filter the air flow flowing inwardly to remove durst or contaminated material from the airflow. The air filtering module includes an air filter, a mounting plate, and a cover plate. The mounting plate can be mounted on the second side of the system frame to receive the air filter. The mounting plate includes one or more magnets. The cover plate can be attached to the mounting plate by a magnetic force generated from the magnets to keep the air filter between the mounting plate and the cover plate.

Abstract: A sensor unit utilized in an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) includes a unit tray containing a sensor interface, a host interface, and one or more sensor processing modules. The sensor interface can be coupled to a variety of sensors used in the ADV, such as, for example, LIDAR, RADAR, cameras, etc., which may be mounted on different locations of the ADV. The host interface can be coupled a host system that is responsible for autonomously driving the vehicle. The host system is configured to perceive a driving environment surrounding the ADV base on sensor data obtained from the sensors and plan a path to autonomously drive the vehicle through the driving environment. The sensor processing modules are configured to process the sensor data obtained from the sensors.

Abstract: A sensor unit utilized in an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV) includes a unit tray containing a sensor interface, a host interface, and one or more sensor processing modules. The sensor interface can be coupled to a variety of sensors used in the ADV, such as, for example, LIDAR, RADAR, cameras, etc., which may be mounted on different locations of the ADV. The host interface can be coupled a host system that is responsible for autonomously driving the vehicle. The host system is configured to perceive a driving environment surrounding the ADV base on sensor data obtained from the sensors and plan a path to autonomously drive the vehicle through the driving environment. The sensor processing modules are configured to process the sensor data obtained from the sensors.

Abstract: A sensor unit includes a sensor interface and a host interface. The sensor interface can be coupled to a number of sensors mounted on various locations of the ADV. The host interface can be coupled to a host system that is configured to perceive a driving environment surrounding the ADV based on sensor data obtained from the sensors and to plan a path to autonomously drive the ADV. The sensor unit further includes a sensor processing module and a sensor control module coupled to the sensor interface, and a time module coupled to the sensor processing module and the sensor control module. The sensor processing module is configured to process sensor data received from the sensors via the sensor interface. The sensor control module is configured to control operations of the sensors. The time module is configured to generate time to synchronize timing of the operations of the sensors.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, before an M.2 compatible module or device is mounted onto a data processing system that operates an autonomous driving vehicle (ADV), the M.2 module is placed onto a tray device to increase the stiffness of the M.2 module. The tray device containing the M.2 module is then mounted on a board or motherboard of the data processing system. Since the M.2 module is placed on the tray device, the overall stiffness has been significantly increased, which can sustain the physical impact on the M.2 module due to the physical movement and oscillation during the autonomous driving of the ADV. In addition, the tray device also provides suspension effect on the M.2 module during the movement of the ADV. As a result, the M.2 module would not easily damaged during the autonomous driving.