Full spectrum camera simulation for development of automated driving applications

Cameras are an essential component of many Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) such as Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assistance, Automatic Emergency Braking, Traffic Sign Recognition and Night Vision. With the ongoing evolution of ADAS towards Automated Driving, the amount of cameras within vehicles as well as the performance of these cameras is only expected to grow. Nowadays automotive cameras are typically sensitive beyond the visual range (i.e. into the near infrared range) They may also use up to 20 bits precision for their internal signal. In order to support the development process of ADAS and Automated Driving Systems by means of simulation, it is required to have detailed physically correct simulation models of these automotive cameras. This paper describes the implementation and validation of a new spectral camera sensor model in the ADAS simulation platform PreScan. The traditional RGB-based camera implementation created images limited to the visual spectrum. In contrast, the new PreScan spectral camera sensor model allows for high color depth, broad spectrum and physically correct image generation. The model provides a real-time simulation of light in the 320-1500nm spectral range which traverses through the various media and lenses before the sensor produces the final image signal. Other important features of this new detailed camera model are a depth resolution of 20 bit per waveband as well as an increased dynamic range.