Multiple sensor thermal radiation detector and method

A thermal radiation detector (12) for detecting thermal energy in multiple coverage zones is provided. The detector (12) includes a heat sink support structure (42), a first thermal detection sensor (12A) coupled to the support structure (42) and arranged to detect thermal energy in a first coverage zone (16A), and a second thermal detection sensor (12B) coupled to the support structure (42) for detecting thermal energy in a second coverage zone (16B). The detector (12) also has a shared optical lens (50) coupled to the support structure (42) and arranged to direct thermal energy from the first coverage zone (16A) to the first thermal detection sensor (12A), and to direct thermal energy from the second coverage zone (16B) to the second thermal detection sensor (12B). The detector (12) is useful to detect heat emitting objects in a blind spot region of a vehicle (10).