Ultrasound measurement system and method of detecting an obstacle by means of ultrasound

• Main Authors: TOBIAS KIRCHNER, SIMON HUFNAGEL, THOMAS TREPTOW, NICO BANNOW, MICHA KALBHENN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 03.12.2014
• Subjects: ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION ORRERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; MEASURING; PHYSICS; RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; TESTING

An ultrasound measurement system for detecting an obstacle is disclosed. At least one ultrasound sensor generates a measurement signal upon reception of an ultrasound pulse which is reflected from the obstacle. The system includes a measurement stage, which provides a virtual earth at one input, the input of the measurement stage being connected to the output of the ultrasound sensor; and an evaluation unit, which is designed to generate the measurement signal on the basis of an evaluation of the current flowing into the measurement stage. The measurement stage may include an operational amplifier, the first input of which forms the input of the measurement stage; the second input is connected to earth. A pair of anti-parallel diodes may be included between the input of the measurement stage and earth. The system may generate a defined ultrasound emission, and may be designed to generate active attenuation of the ultrasound sensor. Such a system may be used in a vehicle assistance system.