System and method for speed estimation, detection and ranging using visible light in vehicles

Abstract

There is provided herein a visible light-based speed estimation method ViLDAR. By using the received light intensity of a vehicle's LED headlight, the vehicle speed can be accurately estimated for a wide range of incidence angle. Linear LS method is used in one embodiment of a speed estimation algorithm. The impact of system parameters on speed estimation error and the performance of algorithm for different speed and estimation duration are provided. Some embodiments operate best at a certain distances where the received light intensity (power) reading can provide estimation results with high accuracy, which distances are termed a reliable region of operation. In addition to speed estimation, potential applications of ViLDAR idea are ranging detection and collision avoidance for autonomous vehicles.