ISO 23150:2023

Overview

ISO 23150:2023 - Road vehicles: Data communication between sensors and data fusion unit for automated driving functions - Logical interface defines a logical, semantic interface between in‑vehicle environmental perception sensors (radar, lidar, camera, ultrasonic, etc.) or sensor clusters and the data fusion unit that builds a surround model for automated driving. The standard is modular and layered, describing object level, feature level, and detection level representations, plus supportive sensor interfaces. It applies to road vehicles with automated driving functions and excludes electrical/mechanical specifications and raw data interfaces. ISO 23150:2023 is the second edition and replaces the 2021 edition.

Key Topics

• Logical interface structure: standardized headers, signals, interface groupings and profiles to ensure consistent semantic exchange between sensors and fusion units.
• Layered data model:
  • Object level - provides object‑level entities (e.g., potentially moving objects, road objects, static objects, free space areas).
  • Feature level - sensor cluster and modality‑specific features (e.g., camera, ultrasonic features).
  • Detection level - sensor detections by technology (radar, lidar, camera, ultrasonic).
• Supportive interfaces: sensor performance, sensor health, and sensor input interfaces to help interpret detection confidence and operational status.
• Profiles and versioning: mechanisms for interface version uniqueness, options, constraints and profiles tailored to use cases and sensor technologies.
• Normative annexes: detailed interface signals, options and constraints, and bibliographic references.

Applications and Who Uses It

ISO 23150:2023 is practical for organizations involved in designing, integrating, validating and maintaining automated driving systems:

• OEMs and vehicle system architects standardize sensor-to-fusion communication to support multi‑sensor perception.
• Sensor manufacturers and Tier‑1 suppliers implement logical output formats for interoperable fusion.
• ADAS/AD software developers & integrators use semantic object, feature and detection data for perception, tracking and decision functions.
• Validation, test labs and certification bodies rely on consistent interfaces for test cases and interoperability checks.
• Fleet operators and mobility service providers benefit indirectly via improved sensor fusion reliability and portability.

Practical benefits include improved interoperability, clearer semantics for object and detection data, easier integration of heterogeneous sensors, and reduced ambiguity in fusion inputs - accelerating robust, scalable automated driving development.

Related Standards

• ISO 23150:2023 was prepared by ISO/TC 22/SC 31 (Data communication).
• Related domains include functional safety and system safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262, ISO 21448 SOTIF) and software/architecture frameworks used in automotive integration.