Abstract
The development of new driver assistance systems requires the appropriate means, suitable tools and methods for testing, product development and product assessment. This is particularly valid for environment sensors that -starting with the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)- become more and more an important part of modern driver assistance systems. Today it can already be noticed that environment sensors can be used for a number of systems that go far beyond the functionality of the ACC as it is available in series today. Of course, by this the spectrum of the used sensors will become larger as it is in the present series use.
With this article, it can be shown the possibilities for the assessment of sensors for ACC-systems but also comparable systems that need sensors for observing the environment. The basis for this is a test method that is derived from the requirements depending on the employment in terms of an objective assessment of the sensors output. By means of defined tests and test devices developed for it, a tool is available that in practice has led to good results with the analysis and optimisation of ACC-sensors. Therefore, besides the regular further development, the test methods must also be able to cope with the requirements that are caused by new systems. For example, weather conditions or new assessment concepts for surrounding sensors, e.g. from the field of pre-crash applications, can be part of these further developed test methods.