Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems BACKSPOTTER - Manual (Page 10)

Operation
Object Detection Capability
Because of the characteristics of radar, some objects may be detected at a
greater distance than others. Obstacle size, shape, and composition are all factors
determining when an object is detected.
The Bendix ™ BackSpotter ® system operates by transmitting a pulse of very low
power electromagnetic energy. Any energy that strikes an object refl ects a certain
amount of this energy back to the sensor. This returned energy is measured to
determine the object’s presence and distance.
The amount of energy an object refl ects is determined by several factors:
• Size of the object.
• Composition - A metal object refl ects more energy than a non-metallic
object.
• Scattering - A solid object refl ects more energy than a non-solid object
such as wood, gravel, bushes, etc.
• Angle - An object perpendicular to the sensor will refl ect more energy than
an object at an angle.
Reflected
signal returns
to sensor
Sensor's Reflected Energy
6