Infrared scanning system for obstacle detection in the automotive field

Abstract This paper deals with some aspects of an embedded infrared system devoted to automotive obstacle detection and avoidance. After having pointed out the specific constraints of the application, we present and discuss the choices made for the overall architecture of the system. A detailed description of the whole system is then presented. Effort has been spent to improve the detection-range accuracy taking into account the size and cost constraints needed in the automotive field. This laser radar system is a part of a collision-avoidance system demonstrator studied within the framework of the PROMETHEUS program.