Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for power distribution in autonomous vehicles are described. An example method of power distribution includes receiving, by a controller disposed in a vehicle, an indication of a fault associated with a load unit of a plurality of load units, wherein the load unit is communicatively coupled to an associated solid-state semiconductor switch, disconnecting, in response to the receiving the indication of the fault, the associated solid-state semiconductor switch, and transmitting, using a controller area network bus in the vehicle communicatively coupled the controller, a digital data message indicative of disconnecting the associated solid-state semiconductor switch to a vehicle control unit.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for hardware-based time synchronization for heterogenous sensors are described. An example method includes generating a plurality of input trigger pulses having a nominal pulse-per-second (PPS) rate, generating, based on timing information derived from the plurality of input trigger pulses, a plurality of output trigger pulses, and transmitting the plurality of output trigger pulses to a sensor of a plurality of sensors, wherein a frequency of the plurality of output trigger pulses corresponds to a target operating frequency of the sensor, wherein, in a case that a navigation system coupled to the synchronization unit is functioning correctly, the plurality of input trigger pulses is generated based on a nominal PPS signal from the navigation unit, and wherein, in a case that the navigation system is not functioning correctly, the plurality of input trigger pulses is generated based on a simulated clock source of the synchronization unit.

Abstract: Power distribution system architectures are described that can safely and effectively support the power needs of automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) systems and state-of-the-art autonomous systems and devices. In some implementations, a power distribution system may include: vehicle power sources that produce an output voltage to operate one or more devices in the vehicle, and power bridge devices that electrically couple an vehicle power source to the multiple banks of battery bridge devices and to power distribution units (PDUs). Various electrical loads in the vehicle can be electrically coupled to the battery bridge devices and to the PDUs.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for hardware-based time synchronization for heterogenous sensors are described. An example method includes generating a plurality of input trigger pulses having a nominal pulse-per-second (PPS) rate, generating, based on timing information derived from the plurality of input trigger pulses, a plurality of output trigger pulses, and transmitting the plurality of output trigger pulses to a sensor of a plurality of sensors, wherein a frequency of the plurality of output trigger pulses corresponds to a target operating frequency of the sensor, wherein, in a case that a navigation system coupled to the synchronization unit is functioning correctly, the plurality of input trigger pulses is generated based on a nominal PPS signal from the navigation unit, and wherein, in a case that the navigation system is not functioning correctly, the plurality of input trigger pulses is generated based on a simulated clock source of the synchronization unit.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for power distribution in autonomous vehicles are described. An example method of power distribution includes receiving, by a controller disposed in a vehicle, an indication of a fault associated with a load unit of a plurality of load units, wherein the load unit is communicatively coupled to an associated solid-state semiconductor switch, disconnecting, in response to the receiving the indication of the fault, the associated solid-state semiconductor switch, and transmitting, using a controller area network bus in the vehicle communicatively coupled the controller, a digital data message indicative of disconnecting the associated solid-state semiconductor switch to a vehicle control unit.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for constant and reliable power distribution, using a redundant power bridge battery architecture, in autonomous vehicles are described. An example method includes determining that each of a plurality of sensors is operating within in a nominal range for the respective sensor, and distributing, based on the determining, power from at least one alternating current (AC) power source or at least one direct current (DC) power source to at least one power distribution unit (PDU), wherein a first power bridge is coupled to the at least one AC power source and the at least one DC power source and a second power bridge is coupled to the at least one DC power source and the at least one PDU, and wherein the plurality of sensors is used to monitor a health of the vehicle and any single point failure is detectable.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for constant and reliable power distribution, using a redundant power bridge battery architecture, in autonomous vehicles are described. An example method includes determining that each of a plurality of sensors is operating within in a nominal range for the respective sensor, and distributing, based on the determining, power from at least one alternating current (AC) power source or at least one direct current (DC) power source to at least one power distribution unit (PDU), wherein a first power bridge is coupled to the at least one AC power source and the at least one DC power source and a second power bridge is coupled to the at least one DC power source and the at least one PDU, and wherein the plurality of sensors is used to monitor a health of the vehicle and any single point failure is detectable.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for constant and reliable power distribution, using a redundant power bridge battery architecture, in autonomous vehicles are described. An example method includes determining that each of a plurality of sensors is operating within in a nominal range for the respective sensor, and distributing, based on the determining, power from at least one alternating current (AC) power source or at least one direct current (DC) power source to at least one power distribution unit (PDU), wherein a first power bridge is coupled to the at least one AC power source and the at least one DC power source and a second power bridge is coupled to the at least one DC power source and the at least one PDU, and wherein the plurality of sensors is used to monitor a health of the vehicle and any single point failure is detectable.

Abstract: Power distribution system architectures are described that can safely and effectively support the power needs of automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) systems and state-of-the-art autonomous systems and devices. In some implementations, a power distribution system may include: vehicle power sources that produce an output voltage to operate one or more devices in the vehicle, and power bridge devices that electrically couple an vehicle power source to the multiple banks of battery bridge devices and to power distribution units (PDUs). Various electrical loads in the vehicle can be electrically coupled to the battery bridge devices and to the PDUs.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for hardware-based time synchronization for heterogenous sensors are described. An example method includes generating a plurality of input trigger pulses having a nominal pulse-per-second (PPS) rate, generating, based on timing information derived from the plurality of input trigger pulses, a plurality of output trigger pulses, and transmitting the plurality of output trigger pulses to a sensor of a plurality of sensors, wherein a frequency of the plurality of output trigger pulses corresponds to a target operating frequency of the sensor, wherein, in a case that a navigation system coupled to the synchronization unit is functioning correctly, the plurality of input trigger pulses is generated based on a nominal PPS signal from the navigation unit, and wherein, in a case that the navigation system is not functioning correctly, the plurality of input trigger pulses is generated based on a simulated clock source of the synchronization unit.

Abstract: Power distribution system architectures are described that can safely and effectively support the power needs of automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) systems and state-of-the-art autonomous systems and devices. In some implementations, a power distribution system may include: vehicle power sources that produce an output voltage to operate one or more devices in the vehicle, and power bridge devices that electrically couple a vehicle power source to the multiple banks of battery bridge devices and to power distribution units (PDUs). Various electrical loads in the vehicle can be electrically coupled to the battery bridge devices and to the PDUs.