Quantification of sensor coverage using synthetic modeling and uses of the quantification

A system comprising:

• a data repository storing a data structure comprising a model of a virtual object, wherein the virtual object comprises a plurality of spatial elements that form an area of the virtual object;
• and
• a processor programmed to execute computer readable program code that performs a computer-implemented method comprising:
• receiving the data structure comprising the model including the virtual object, wherein the virtual object comprises the plurality of spatial elements that form the area of the virtual object;
• applying a ray tracing algorithm to the model, wherein the ray tracing algorithm directs a plurality of virtual rays from a remote point in the model towards the virtual object;
• determining a plurality of intersection values, wherein each of the plurality of intersection values represents a corresponding number of times that the plurality of virtual rays intersect a corresponding one of the plurality of spatial elements;
• generating, based on the plurality of intersection values, a heat map showing a plurality of colors, each color corresponding to a respective spatial element of the plurality of spatial elements, wherein the plurality of colors comprises a first color representing a first intersection value of the plurality of intersection values exceeding a threshold value or a second color representing a second intersection value of the plurality of intersection values below the threshold value;
• generating, from the plurality of intersection values, a coverage value representing a percentage of the area that is covered by the plurality of virtual rays;
• and
• returning the coverage value.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing program code that, when executed by a processor, performs a computer-implemented method comprising:

• receiving a data structure comprising a model including a virtual object, wherein the virtual object comprises a plurality of spatial elements that form an area of the virtual object;
• applying a ray tracing algorithm to the model, wherein the ray tracing algorithm directs a plurality of virtual rays from a remote point in the model towards the virtual object;
• determining a plurality of intersection values, wherein each of the plurality of intersection values represents a corresponding number of times that the plurality of virtual rays intersect a corresponding one of the plurality of spatial elements;
• generating, based on the plurality of intersection values, a heat map showing a plurality of colors, each color corresponding to a respective spatial element of the plurality of spatial elements, wherein the plurality of colors comprises a first color representing a first intersection value of the plurality of intersection values exceeding a threshold value or a second color representing a second intersection value of the plurality of intersection values below the threshold value;
• generating, from the plurality of intersection values, a coverage value representing a percentage of the area that is covered by the plurality of virtual rays;
• and
• returning the coverage value.