Passive ranging for acquisition of range images: applications to longitudinal vehicle control and warning systems

摘要

A single-lens, single-aperture passive range-imaging system has been developed based on wavefront coding of incoherent images using a standard CCD camera and lens, and a phase mask. Two-dimensional range images or point-measurements of range may be derived using fast spectral estimators, enabling efficient, real-time, range determination. Theoretical limits available for the errors of the estimator provide powerful design and evaluation tools. Such a sensor could prove useful in longitudinal control systems (i.e. adaptive cruise control) by providing wide-field, real-time range data. Other applications include object detection for collision avoidance and backup- or blind-spot warning systems.