Design and Performance Evaluation of a Dust Contamination Simulation Test Apparatus for Automotive Cameras

In the era of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs), sensor integration has become increasingly prevalent, enabling advanced features such as autonomous driving and driver assistance systems. However, contamination from road dust and muddy water poses significant risks to the performance of vehicle camera sensors. Manual methods of applying dust for testing sensor durability are subject to inconsistencies and human error, potentially undermining the validity of test results. To address this, we developed an automated dust deposition apparatus specifically designed for automotive camera systems. This device enables precise and repeatable control over dust application, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the testing process. The dust contamination simulation apparatus leverages programmable parameters to consistently reproduce various environmental scenarios encountered in real-world driving conditions. Performance evaluations demonstrated that the system achieves uniform dust layer thicknesses essential for durability and cleaning efficiency assessments. The apparatus was tested with Rear View Mirror (RVM) and Digital Camera Mirror (DCM) systems, significantly reducing both development time and resource consumption compared to traditional manual techniques. Furthermore, our results suggest that integrating this device into standard vehicle development workflows can improve the accuracy and repeatability of sensor contamination and cleaning performance evaluations. This contributes to the development of more robust and reliable camera-based systems by facilitating objective and standardized testing protocols. The research highlights the importance of advanced testing infrastructure to meet the stringent requirements of modern automotive electronics, especially as SDV architectures continue to evolve. Continued adoption and refinement of such automated tools will support industry efforts to enhance sensor reliability and accelerate technology deployment in next-generation vehicles.