Glossary

ADAS Glossary

A plain-English reference for common ADAS calibration, safety system, sensor, and alignment terms.

A

Active Driving Assistance
provides steering and brake/acceleration support to the driver at the same time. The driver must constantly supervise this support feature and maintain responsibility for driving.
Active Safety Systems
Vehicle systems that sense and monitor conditions inside and outside a vehicle for the purpose of identifying perceived present and potential dangers to the vehicle, occupants, and/or other road users, and automatically intervene to help avoid or mitigate potential collisions via various methods, including alerts to the driver, vehicle system adjustments, and/or active control of the vehicle subsystems (e.g., brakes, throttle, suspension, etc.).
Active ADAS Systems
ADAS systems that provide some level of assistance to the driver by controlling the vehicle when sensing potentially dangerous situations.
Active Parking Assistance
assists with steering and potentially other functions during parking maneuvers. The driver may be required to accelerate, brake, and/or select gear position. Some systems are capable of parallel and/or perpendicular parking.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
cruise control that also assists with acceleration and/or braking to maintain a driver-selected gap to the vehicle in front. Some systems can come to a stop and continue while others cannot.
ADAS
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.
Alerts
ADAS provides drivers with real-time alerts and warnings about potential dangers, such as lane departures, collisions, and blind spots. These alerts can be visual, auditory, or haptic, depending on the system.
Around View Monitoring System (AVM)
advanced safety features that provide drivers with a 360-degree view of their vehicle’s surroundings (also called: Surround View and Bird’s Eye View cameras).
Azimuth Angle
the angular difference between the reference angle and the other vehicle.
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
detects potential collisions with a vehicle ahead, provides forward collision warning, and automatically brakes to avoid a collision or lessen the severity of impact. Some systems also detect pedestrians or other objects.
Automatic Emergency Steering (AES)
detects potential collisions with a vehicle ahead and automatically steers to avoid or lessen the severity of impact. Some systems also detect pedestrians or other objects.
Automatic High Beams
switches between high and low beam headlamps automatically based on lighting and traffic.

B

Backup Camera
displays the area behind the vehicle when in reverse gear. Some systems include fixed or dynamic graphical overlays depicting vehicle path lines and detected objects.
Bay Space Requirements
the amount of space needed to perform an ADAS calibration.
Best Practices
a set of proven effective methods or techniques that are widely accepted as the most appropriate way to achieve a particular goal or objective.
Blind Spot
an area to the side and rear of the driven vehicle in an adjacent lane.
Blind Spot Collision Intervention
detects potential collisions with adjacent vehicles and automatically steers and/or brakes to avoid or lessen the severity of impact. Some systems only intervene if the driver engages the turn signal in the direction of the adjacent vehicle, some intervene when there are adjacent vehicle(s) that are ahead of the subject vehicle or for vehicles that are quickly approaching the blind spot from behind.
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)
detects vehicles in the blind spot while driving and notifies the driver to their presence. Some systems provide an additional warning (e.g., audible, or haptic) if the driver activates the turn signal.

C

Calibration Environment
includes the required bay space, condition of the floor, overhead lighting, and the proper background. An improper calibration environment is one of the leading causes of calibration failures.
Camera Field of View (FOV)
describes the area which the camera can see. The FOV of an ADAS camera is defined in degrees, both horizontal and vertical.
Camera Sensor
passive sensors where optical data is recorded and processed to allow for object detection and classification.
Canny Edge Detection
when an image captured by a forward-facing camera is converted to pure black and white and only the lane lines and edges of objects are visible.
Chassis Geometric Centerline
A line that intersects the center of the rear axle and the center of the front axle.
Collision Intervention
systems that provide momentary intervention during potentially hazardous situations. Depending on the situation, intervention may result in collision avoidance or in a reduction in the severity of the collision. Due to the momentary action of these systems, intervention does not change or eliminate the role of the driver.
Collision Warning
warnings that alert the driver; they do not perform interventions to prevent possible collisions.
Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)
systems that apply automatic braking when forward looking sensors indicate a crash is imminent and the driver has not applied the brakes.
Cross Traffic Alert (CTA)
short-range object detection systems that use sensors and sometimes cameras to detect any oncoming traffic and alert drivers (visual and/or audible) to potential collisions. Also referred to as Cross Traffic Warning (CTW).
Cross Traffic Warning (CTW)
short-range object detection systems that use sensors and sometimes cameras to detect any oncoming traffic and alert drivers (visual and/or audible) to potential collisions. Also referred to as Cross Traffic Alert (CTA).

D

Driving Control Assistance
provides sustained support and/or assistance to the driver during the dynamic driving task (DDT), up to partial automation of the driving task. The driver performs the rest of the DDT, continuously supervises the performance of the system, and has the authority to override the system at any time.
Driver Monitoring
observes driver actions to estimate if they are not engaged in the task of driving. Some systems may monitor eye movement and/or head position.
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)
systems that use the vehicle’s forward-looking sensors to supplement the driver’s application of the brake pedal with additional braking when sensors determine the driver has applied the brakes, but the brake application is insufficient to avoid an imminent crash.
Dynamic Calibration Procedure
a calibration procedure that consists of driving the vehicle in an environment that includes a set of specified features or objects.

E

Electronically Modulated Braking Systems
a braking system that includes automatic actuation of a vehicle’s brakes, sensing technology to sense when a collision is imminent, and hardware to apply the brakes without relying on the driver to depress the brake pedal.

F

FMVSS
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.
Forward Collision Avoidance (FCA)
an active ADAS system combining Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB).
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Detects a potential collision with a vehicle ahead and alerts the driver. Some systems also provide alerts for pedestrians or other objects.
Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Radar
radar that transmits a continuous signal with a steadily varying frequency.

H

Head-Up Display (HUD)
Projects information relevant to driving into the driver’s forward line of sight.

I

IIHS
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Infrared Cameras & Sensors
sensors typically have two components: an infrared emitter which floods the area with invisible light, and a camera which detects the reflected infrared light and converts it into a digital image.
ISO
International Organization for Standardization.

L

Lane Centering Technology (LCA)
the most advanced lane keeping technology that is capable of proactively keeping a vehicle centered in its lane at all times.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
monitors vehicle’s position within the driving lane and alerts the driver as the vehicle approaches or crosses lane markers. Warnings may include auditory alerts, visual alerts, haptic vibration, kinesthetic cue (e.g., braking vibration, steering vibration, or seat vibration), or any combination of the same.
Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA)
provides steering support to assist the driver in preventing the vehicle from departing the lane. Some systems also assist to keep the vehicle centered within the lane.
Lead Vehicle AEB
Lead Vehicle Automatic Emergency Braking systems are capable of avoiding or mitigating collisions with a lead vehicle.
LiDAR
LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensors use lasers to detect objects that bounce off objects and return to the sensor. The time it takes for the beams to return is measured, and the distance is calculated. They are commonly used for tasks such as mapping and obstacle detection.

M

Mechanical Alignment
adjusting the mounting angles of a radar sensor.

N

NHTSA
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Night Vision (NV)
Improves forward visibility at night to enable drivers to see more clearly in low-light conditions by projecting enhanced images on the instrument cluster or head-up display.

O

Offset Adjustment
the position of the center of the IA900 crossbar relative to the frame itself. Offset shifts the crossbar left or right of center in order to center the crossbar to the vehicle thrust line.

P

Parking Collision Warning (PCW)
detects objects close to the vehicle during parking maneuvers and notifies the driver via audible and/or visual feedback. Some systems only provide warnings corresponding to the rear of the vehicle, others provide front and rear, others provide warnings all around.
Passive ADAS Systems
systems that provide the driver with a warning in form of a warning light, message, audible indication and/or haptic feedback when sensing dangerous situations.
Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB)
systems function like Automatic Emergency Braking systems, but detect pedestrians in front of the vehicle, and intervene in crash imminent situations where the pedestrian is either directly in the path or entering the path of the vehicle.
Pitch
an angular value representing the up/down or vertical angle of the camera.
Pitch Adjustment
the rotation of the IA900 crossbar on its transverse axis. Adjusting pitch changes the tilt of the crossbar front to back to level the crossbar or to compensate for an uneven floor.
Post Calibration Test Drive
a test drive performed after an ADAS calibration as a final step before a vehicle is returned to a customer to confirm everything is functioning as intended.
Post-Scan Report
documentation generated using a scan tool that can be given to a customer and kept as a record documenting the condition of a vehicle after performing an ADAS calibration. Reports include: identified issues, verification of calibration, documentation of the vehicle before and after work is performed, liability protection and assurance of compliance with OE specifications.
Plumb Bob and String Line
a measuring device used to help determine a vehicle’s centerline.
Pre-Scan Report
documentation created by a technician using a scan tool which documents the baseline of a vehicle prior to performing an ADAS calibration. The report includes: identifying issues, documentation, liability protection, and assuring compliance with OE specifications.

R

Radar-Based Sensor
radio detection and ranging sensors with technology that measures the time between when a radio wave is transmitted and when its reflection is received back at the radar sensor.
Radar Beam Axis
where the radar sensor is physically aimed.
Radar Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCA)
systems detect vehicles approaching from the side at the rear of the vehicle while in reverse gear and alerts the driver. Some systems also warn for pedestrians or other objects.
Radar Field of View
the cone-shaped area that extends outwards from a radar antenna and defines the range of the radar’s detection ability.
Rear Cross Traffic Warning
detects vehicles approaching from the side at the rear of the vehicle while in reverse gear and alerts the driver. Some systems also warn for pedestrians or other objects.
Reference Angle
the angular difference between the vehicle centerline and the radar beam axis. It is used to determine the position of other vehicles on the road.
Remote Parking Assistance
without the driver being physically present inside the vehicle, provides steering, braking, accelerating, and/or gear selection while moving a vehicle into or out of a parking space. The driver must constantly supervise this support feature and maintain responsibility for parking.
Reverse Automatic Emergency Braking
detects potential collisions while a vehicle is in reverse gear and automatically brakes to avoid or lessen the severity of impact. Some systems also detect pedestrians or other objects.
Roll
an angular value which is the rotation of the camera along its center axis.
Roll Adjustment
the rotation of the crossbar of the IA900 on its horizontal axis. Adjusting roll changes the tilt of the crossbar side-to-side to level the crossbar or to compensate for an uneven floor.

S

Sensor Fusion
combines and merges data from multiple sensors to achieve an outcome that exceeds the capability of using each sensor individually.
Speed Warning
warns the driver that the current speed is higher than an appropriate or defined value. Some systems warn for curves, while others are based on traffic signs or local speed limits.
Static Calibration
a calibration procedure that consists of presenting one or more targets or objects in defined locations relative to the non-moving vehicle as specified.
Surround View Camera
displays the immediate surroundings of some or all sides of the vehicle while stopped or during low-speed maneuvers. These systems typically combine images obtained from multiple cameras on the vehicle.

T

Thermal Sensors
sensors which detect infrared radiation emitted by all objects that have a temperature above absolute zero. Sensors measure the intensity of the infrared radiation and convert it into an electrical signal that can be used by the vehicle’s ADAS system.
Trailer Assistance
assists drivers with visual guidance while backing towards a trailer or during backing maneuvers with a trailer attached.

U

Ultrasonic Sensors
emit high-frequency sound waves and detect their reflections off objects in the vehicle's environment. They are commonly used for applications such as parking assistance and obstacle detection.

V

Vehicle Body Centerline
a longitudinal line between the center of a vehicle body’s front and the center of the body’s rear, commonly referenced by vehicle emblems and roof antennas, or in simple terms: where the vehicle is pointing.
Vehicle Preconditioning
calibration preparations that must be followed prior to calibrating a vehicle.
Vehicle Pre-Scan Report
a report created by a technician using a scan tool which helps establish a baseline for the current state of the vehicle prior to performing an ADAS calibration.
Vehicle Test Device
a test device used to test automatic electronic braking system performance.
Vehicle Thrust Angle
the nominal angular difference between the chassis geometric centerline and the vehicle thrust line; or simply put, the average direction the rear wheels are pointing or driving.
Vehicle Thrust Line
the vector of the longitudinal force generated by the vehicle’s powertrain that originates from the center of the non-steering rear axle.

W

Wheel Alignment Pre-Check
a stand-alone service and an ADAS calibration best practice that allows a technician to check the current state of a vehicle’s wheel alignment using the IA900 without using an alignment lift.

Y

Yaw
an angular value which represents the side-to-side or horizontal angle of the camera.
Yaw Adjustment
rotation of the IA900 crossbar on its vertical axis used to make the crossbar perpendicular to the thrust line, or parallel to the drive axle in order to square the crossbar to the vehicle.

Z

Zero Point Calibration
when a camera calibration is being performed, we are teaching the camera where within the field of view is its new center point.