Defogging system using a transparent condensation sensor and heater

A sensor assembly, comprising:

• a cover element disposed in a window of the sensor assembly, the cover element being configured to pass signals of one or more wavelengths therethrough, the cover element having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;
• a sensor device configured to perform at least one of emit or receive signals of the one or more wavelengths through the cover element, the sensor device being disposed along the first side of the cover element;
• a moisture sensing and heating layer disposed on the first or second side of the cover element, the moisture sensing and heating layer having a pair of electrically conductive complementary elements spaced apart a selected distance from one another, the pair of electrically conductive complementary elements covering an area of the first or second side of the cover element in a pattern and being transparent to the one or more wavelengths;
• and
• a control module operatively coupled to the pair of electrically conductive complementary elements, the control module being configured to:
• detect presence of moisture along the cover element of the sensor assembly based on signals received from the pair of electrically conductive complementary elements,
• upon a determination from the signals that the moisture exceeds a threshold value, cause the pair of electrically conductive complementary elements to heat up to dissipate the moisture, and
• upon a determination from the signals that the moisture falls below the threshold value, cause the pair of electrically conductive complementary elements to cease heating.