Performance Evaluation of MEMS-Based Automotive LiDAR Sensor and Its Simulation Model as per ASTM E3125-17 Standard

Area of Science:

• Automotive Engineering
• Sensor Technology
• Metrology

Background:

• Evaluating automotive Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor performance, both real and virtual, is crucial but lacks standardized methods.
• ASTM International's E3125-17 standard provides a framework for evaluating 3D imaging systems, applicable to automotive LiDAR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess a commercial micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based automotive LiDAR sensor and its simulation model against the ASTM E3125-17 standard.
• To evaluate the impact of LiDAR sensor performance on object recognition algorithms.

Main Methods:

• Static tests were conducted in a laboratory and at a proving ground for the real LiDAR sensor.
• Virtual environment simulations replicated real-world conditions to test the LiDAR model.
• Both the physical sensor and its simulation model were evaluated using ASTM E3125-17 procedures for 3D imaging and distance measurement.

Main Results:

• The automotive LiDAR sensor and its simulation model successfully passed all tests defined in the ASTM E3125-17 standard.
• Sensor measurement errors can be distinguished as internal or external influences using this standard.
• LiDAR sensor performance directly influences object recognition algorithm effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• The ASTM E3125-17 standard is valuable for validating automotive real and virtual LiDAR sensors in early development stages.
• The study demonstrated good agreement between simulation and real-world measurements for point clouds and object recognition.
• Standardized evaluation facilitates reliable performance assessment and error analysis for automotive LiDAR systems.