The technology relates to detecting water or fouling on the exterior surface of a sensor cover, for instance due to precipitation or debris (fouling). Such objects on the sensor cover surface may degrade operation of the sensor, which can be problematic for vehicles operating in an autonomous driving mode. According to an aspect of the technology, a waveguide layer is provided on the sensor cover. A laser emits light at a selected wavelength along one side of the waveguide layer. The light waveform propagating along the waveguide layer is affected (distorted) by precipitation and/or fouling on the surface of this layer. A detector receives the distorted waveform. The system determines whether water and/or fouling is present based on the received waveform. This allows the system to determine whether to activate a cleaning module or to factor in the information when processing received sensor data.


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    Title :

    Surface fouling detection


    Contributors:
    STARK ETHAN (author)

    Publication date :

    2024-04-23


    Type of media :

    Patent


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English


    Classification :

    IPC:    B60W CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION , Gemeinsame Steuerung oder Regelung von Fahrzeug-Unteraggregaten verschiedenen Typs oder verschiedener Funktion / G01N Untersuchen oder Analysieren von Stoffen durch Bestimmen ihrer chemischen oder physikalischen Eigenschaften , INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES / B60S SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR , Warten, Reinigen, Instandsetzen, Unterstützen, Anheben oder Rangieren von Fahrzeugen, soweit nicht anderweitig vorgesehen / G01S RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING , Funkpeilung



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