Automotive lane changing aid indicator

Abstract

There is disclosed a vehicle equipped with two multibeam electronically scanned radar systems that function as side object detection systems. The transmit/receive modules of the radar are illustratively located on right and left side panels of the vehicle at the rear of its body. Each radar system generates eight equal-angle beams. The radar systems are programmed so that targets are detected only within a predefined range for each of its eight beam patterns corresponding to the adjacent highway lane. As an overtaking vehicle approaches in an adjacent lane, its approach is detected sequentially by the beams on that side of the vehicle. Each radar system generates eight signals, corresponding to the eight beams positions, which are coupled individually to eight LEDs configured in an array. Detection of an overtaking vehicle within a scanned beam causes illumination of a corresponding LED. Thus, the driver of a host vehicle can easily determine the presence and position of an overtaking vehicle in an adjacent lane relative to his or her own from the position of the illuminated LED or LEDs in the array, and can also determine the closing speed of the overtaking vehicle from the rapidity of the transition of LEDs in the array being illuminated. In a preferred embodiment, the arrays are affixed to the outside mirrors in a vertical columnar configuration.