Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for a vehicular safety system in autonomous vehicles are described. An example method for safely controlling a vehicle includes selecting, based on a first control command from a first vehicle control unit, an operating mode of the vehicle, and transmitting, based on the selecting, the operating mode to an autonomous driving system, wherein the first control command is generated based on input from a first plurality of sensors, and wherein the operating mode corresponds to one of (a) a default operating mode, (b) a minimal risk condition mode of a first type that configures the vehicle to pull over to a nearest pre-designated safety location, (c) a minimal risk condition mode of a second type that configures the vehicle to immediately stop in a current lane, or (d) a minimal risk condition mode of a third type that configures the vehicle to come to a gentle stop.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for a vehicular safety system in autonomous vehicles are described. An example method for safely controlling a vehicle includes selecting, based on a first control command from a first vehicle control unit, an operating mode of the vehicle, and transmitting, based on the selecting, the operating mode to an autonomous driving system, wherein the first control command is generated based on input from a first plurality of sensors, and wherein the operating mode corresponds to one of (a) a default operating mode, (b) a minimal risk condition mode of a first type that configures the vehicle to pull over to a nearest pre-designated safety location, (c) a minimal risk condition mode of a second type that configures the vehicle to immediately stop in a current lane, or (d) a minimal risk condition mode of a third type that configures the vehicle to come to a gentle stop.

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 a vehicular safety system in autonomous vehicles are described. An example method for safely controlling a vehicle includes selecting, based on a first control command from a first vehicle control unit, an operating mode of the vehicle, and transmitting, based on the selecting, the operating mode to an autonomous driving system, wherein the first control command is generated based on input from a first plurality of sensors, and wherein the operating mode corresponds to one of (a) a default operating mode, (b) a minimal risk condition mode of a first type that configures the vehicle to pull over to a nearest pre-designated safety location, (c) a minimal risk condition mode of a second type that configures the vehicle to immediately stop in a current lane, or (d) a minimal risk condition mode of a third type that configures the vehicle to come to a gentle stop.

Abstract: A system and method providing truck-mounted sensors to detect trailer following vehicles and trailer conditions are disclosed. A system of an example embodiment comprises: a vehicle control subsystem installed in an autonomous truck, the vehicle control subsystem comprising a data processor; and a truck-mounted sensor subsystem installed on a portion of a tractor of the autonomous truck to which a trailer is attachable, the truck-mounted sensor subsystem being coupled to the vehicle control subsystem via a data connection, wherein the truck-mounted sensor subsystem is configured to emit electromagnetic waves propagating in a space under the trailer, to generate object data representing objects detected by receiving a reflection of the electromagnetic waves, and to transfer the object data to the vehicle control subsystem.

Abstract: An electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) system for inspecting a part includes an EMAT sensor and a power supply for supplying an output power to the EMAT sensor. The power supply includes a DC/DC converter to boost an input DC voltage into a boosted DC voltage, a DC/AC inverter having Silicon Carbide (SiC) Mosfet power switches to invert the boosted DC voltage into an AC square voltage, and an output filter to filter the AC square voltage into an AC sinusoidal voltage. The AC sinusoidal voltage is the output power from the power supply to the EMAT sensor.

Abstract: An electro-magnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) generates both Lamb waves and shear horizontal (SH) waves or Lamb waves only. In configurations, the EMAT includes first and second coils shifted in alignment relative to one another and a magnet array overlaid over the coils. The EMAT generates a Lamb wave when the first coil is excited with an electrical current and generates a SH wave when the second coil is excited with an electrical current. In other configurations, the EMAT includes a coil and a magnet array which are movable relative to one another between a first position and a second position shifted in alignment relative to one another. The EMAT generates a Lamb wave when the coil is excited with an electrical current while in the first position and generates a SH wave when the coil is excited with an electrical current while in the second position.

Abstract: An electro-magnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) generates both Lamb waves and shear horizontal (SH) waves or Lamb waves only. In configurations, the EMAT includes first and second coils shifted in alignment relative to one another and a magnet array overlaid over the coils. The EMAT generates a Lamb wave when the first coil is excited with an electrical current and generates a SH wave when the second coil is excited with an electrical current. In other configurations, the EMAT includes a coil and a magnet array which are movable relative to one another between a first position and a second position shifted in alignment relative to one another. The EMAT generates a Lamb wave when the coil is excited with an electrical current while in the first position and generates a SH wave when the coil is excited with an electrical current while in the second position.