Ray tracing simulation of wing mirrors for ultrasonic sensor based blind spot monitoring system

In this paper, we propose a method for 3D virtual estimation of blind spot zone for passenger vehicle. Blind spot zone (BSZ) is the problem of inconspicuous area that accounts for majority part of lane change related accidents. To estimate BSZ, the wing mirror reconstruction with the driver's eyes as a focal point in the vehicle has been performed. Thus far, the reconstruction of mirrors and driver in the vehicle has been a problem since they are often based on approximations or inaccurate data. Our aim in this paper was to confirm that ray tracing simulation of mirrors can be performed in order to identify the BSZ. The virtual model of wing mirror and contiguous vehicle parts are created in Solidworks and TracePro to make ray tracing simulation. The research was limited to the range of 3600mm. Physical experiment set up is grid-based technique used to model BSZ and make comparative analysis with virtual mirror ray tracing simulation. Matlab is used to compare grid-based technique to identify BSZ and the simulated BSZ angle. Additionally, the paper discusses possibilities of using different sensor technique for blind spot monitoring systems (BSMs) for passenger vehicles. BSMs are often applied in driver assistant systems for autonomous vehicles with level one, while the paper discusses possibility of installing BSMs onto passenger cars with level 0 autonomy. In conclusion, ray tracing simulation of virtual wing mirror can be used to detect 3D BSZ and suggest a BSMs based on the data obtained from simulation. BSMs installment can be done on passenger cars with much cost effective way using the BSZ virtual analysis.