A sensor system for a vehicle includes a central module and a plurality of sub modules mounted in a frame of the vehicle, the sub modules being independently removable. The sub modules include sensors configured to capture image data and distance data in a vicinity of the vehicle. The central module is connected to each of the plurality of sub modules through a first network including a switching hub. The sub modules are individually connected to an external processor through a second network. The central processor is configured to synchronize the sub modules based on absolute time information through the first network, and the sub modules are configured to output the captured image data and distance data appended with synchronized time information to the external processor by communicating through the second network.

An environmental sensor device with a sensor enclosure is configured for use in a gas environment. An enclosure support, at least one sensor on a face of the enclosure; and at least one debris sloughing structure is used. The debris sloughing structure is composed of a channel with a set of inner and outer ridges disposed in the enclosure around a periphery of the at least one sensor, wherein a top portion of the debris sloughing structure above the at least one sensor and lateral portions of the debris sloughing structure on lateral sides of the at least one sensor. A shape and arrangement of the debris sloughing structure carries condensate or contaminants forming on non-sensor areas of the enclosure away from the sensor and to a bottom portion of the enclosure.

RADAR sensor assemblies/modules, particularly those for vehicles. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise a plurality of waveguides, each waveguide of the plurality of waveguides being defined by a waveguide groove. A slot may be positioned to extend along an axis of each of the plurality of waveguide grooves. Each of the waveguides may be further defined, at least in part, by a periodic feature that extends back and forth in a periodic manner along at least a portion of its respective waveguide and a plurality of periodic signal confinement structures, a first periodic signal confinement structure of which may extend adjacent to a first side of each of the plurality of waveguides, and a second periodic signal confinement structure which may extend along a second side of each of the plurality of waveguides opposite the first side.

Provided is a molded article (1) of a vehicle (S) designed to be placed in a path of millimeter wave transmitted from a radar device (7) that can minimize the attenuation of the millimeter wave. The molded product has a thickness as measured in a direction of the path of the millimeter wave transmitted from the radar device which is an integer multiple of a half wavelength of the millimeter wave in the molded article.

A sensor protector includes two stays and a thin-plate shaped separate sheet held by the stays. The stays are provided on a bracket. The bracket holds a sensor and is fixed at a predetermined position to an outside panel of the body of a vehicle covered with a bumper cover of the vehicle. The sheet extends such that, in the sensor attached state, the sheet divides/partitions a space around the sensor formed between the outside panel of the body and the bumper cover into an upper space which contains the entirety of the detection surface of the sensor and a lower space which does not contain the detection surface of the sensor.

A radar system comprises a radar device defining upper and lower pairs of mounting tabs and being configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves based on a squint angle, a mounting device configured to be attached to a surface and to receive the radar device, wherein the mounting device defines upper and lower pairs of connection position assurance (CPA) features that correspond to the upper and lower pairs of mounting tabs, and a pair of mounting tab caps configured to be selectively installed on the upper or lower pairs of mounting tabs to offset the squint angle of the radar device.

Phased array antennas, such as a multi-function aperture, are limited in performance and reliability by traditional air-cooled thermal management systems. A fuel-cooled multi-function aperture passes engine fuel through channels within the ribs of the multi-function aperture to provide better heat transfer than can be achieved through air cooled systems. The increased heat transfer and thermal management results in a multi-function aperture with improved performance and reliability.

The technology employs a contrasting color scheme on different surfaces for sensor housing assemblies mounted on exterior parts of a vehicle that is configured to operate in an autonomous driving mode. Lighter and darker colors may be chosen on different surfaces according to a thermal budget for a given sensor housing assembly, due to the different types of sensors arranged along particular surfaces, or to provide color contrast for different regions of the assembly. For instance, differing colors such as black/white or blue/white, and different finishes such as matte or glossy, may be selected to enhance certain attributes or to minimize issues associated with a sensor housing assembly.

In one embodiment, a modular sensor assembly configured for mounting on a vehicle includes a first set of sensors and a second set of sensors. The modular sensor assembly includes a coordinate frame baseplate including a continuous surface, and sensor mounting elements coupled to the continuous surface for mounting the first set of sensors at a first height. The coordinate frame baseplate includes a sensor platform configured for mounting the second set of sensors at a second height. The first set of sensors and the second set of sensors are coupled to the coordinate frame baseplate so as to impart a common coordinate frame for the first set of sensors mounted at the first height and the second set of sensors mounted at the second height. The modular sensor assembly includes a bridging support structure coupled to the coordinate frame baseplate and capable of being mounted on a vehicle.

A sensor attachment structure in which a sensor bracket that holds a sensor configured to detect an external world of a moving body is attached to an exterior member of the moving body and a structure member of the moving body, comprises: a first absorption mechanism configured to hold the sensor bracket such that the sensor bracket can retreat from an initial position of the sensor bracket in a state in which an external load does not act along a front-and-rear direction of the moving body in response to action of the external load; and a second absorption mechanism configured to hold the sensor bracket such that the sensor bracket can swing from the initial position in response to the action of the external load, while being held by the first absorption mechanism.