Optimal design of an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring using a new composite design index

This paper presents the optimal design of an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring for high performance obstacle detection, using a new composite design index. Due to the beam overlap among adjacent ultrasonic sensors, the obstacle detection zone of each ultrasonic sensor can be divided into three smaller sub-zones. To improve the performance in obstacle detection, the state of beam overlap of an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring can be optimized. First, considering obstacle detection range and efficient beam overlap, the geometrical constraints imposed on an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring are described. Second, based on the positional uncertainty in obstacle detection and the entire range of obstacle detection, a new composite design index is proposed. Third, using the proposed design index, the optimal design parameters of an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring for obstacle detection are determined.