Circuit/System Description

The side object detection (SOD) sensors monitor and detect objects of interest in the vehicle blind spots or blind zones on each side of the vehicle. There is one SOD sensor on each side of the vehicle, the right and left sensor. Each SOD sensor monitors and reports objects of interest within a specified detection zone. The SOD system uses visual indicators located on both the right and left side rear view mirrors to alert the driver to the presence of an object of interest in the detection zone. The SOD indicators are controlled by the driver and passenger door modules. The SOD system sends status information and indication requests to the door modules via the serial data circuit. The door modules monitor the SOD system and illuminates the SOD indicators when there is a loss of serial data communication with the SOD sensors. Communication between the SOD system and the door module is via the master SOD sensor.

The detection zone is the vehicle blind spot that may not be visible in the inside or outside rear view mirrors. The SOD sensors uses radar to detect objects of interest within the detection zones. The rear integration module (RIM) provides battery power to the SOD system. The two SOD sensors are setup in a configuration where the left sensor is the master sensor. The SOD right sensor is differentiated from the other SOD sensor by having an extra ground circuit terminal. When the SOD system detects an object of interest on any side of the vehicle, the master SOD sensor sends a serial data message to the door zone modules to turn the SOD indicator ON. If the left or right turn signal is turned ON when an object is in the detection zone, the SOD indicators flashes to indicate that a vehicle is in the detection zone. The door zone module controls the SOD indicators located in the side rear view mirrors via a hard wire signal and low reference circuits.