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This paper relates to a distance detecting sensor, specifically a scan radar laser used for a vehicle distance warning system or an intelligent cruise control system. In developing the scan laser radar, we used a light-based scan-action system working via an electromagnetic actuator and ICs in place of the internal circuitry for substantial parts count reduction. The compact scan laser radar is smaller in size and lower in price with higher performance than its predecessors (1). This has made it possible to offer a lower-priced, compact, lightweight, and easy-to-install scan laser radar.

This paper is concerned with a scan laser radar sensor used to measure distance. It s a basic component of a vehicle distance warning system or an intelligent cruise control system. An intelligent cruise control system requires not only the distance to the object, but also the ability to detect movement of the preceding vehicle and the existence of any other nearby obstacle. However conventional radar sensor mainly fixed beam technology and measure only distance. Therefore, it s insufficient for the application to an intelligent cruise control system. Our newly developed scan laser radar transmits an extreme narrow beam and scans both transmission direction and reception direction simultaneously at a high measurement time rate. This scan laser radar can measure the lateral position of objects with high accuracy and good reconstruction level.

In vehicle distance warning systems using fixed beam laser radar false alarms often occur on curved roads. To solve these problems, we attempted to detect the target vehicle correctly by using a scanning laser radar on curved roads. This scanning laser radar has the advantage that it is able to measure the distance and direction of obstacles on roads. In this paper, we explain the following three items. The first is the configuration of the experimental system which we developed. The second is the method of target vehicle detection by using reflectors located along roads. The third is the performance of this experimental system.