Porsche develops next-generation lighting technology

For Moses Akaigwe

Porsche has developed next generation light technology with its new high resolution HD matrix technology. The core element of the innovation, created in collaboration with partners, is a chip that combines more than 16,000 individually controllable micro-LEDs into a miniature-sized surface area.

Of these LED chips, two are used for each headlight, four per vehicle. Headlights with HD matrix technology therefore offer up to two times brighter, high-resolution light distribution over a four times larger surface area than previous top-of-the-line systems.

The driver benefits from the highly flexible light that the new development makes possible, thanks to extremely homogeneous illumination. In addition, there are innovative features such as lane lighting, narrow lane and construction lighting, and adaptive highway high beams.

The high-performance high beam turns night into day at a distance of up to 600 metres. A new non-glare high beam function is used for oncoming vehicles: large areas to the right and left of the anti-glare space become significantly brighter.

The new HD matrix technology adds another highly efficient component. Because HD matrix headlights only activate the pixels that are actually needed at any given time, they consume much less power than other high-resolution systems, while the amount of light remains the same.

porsche cars Benefiting from this leap in lightweight technology it will be available in the Nigerian market through the Porsche Centre, Lagos.

Four point headlight graphics can also be displayed at night.

In addition to the four-point daytime running lights and the static cornering lights, the new Porsche headlamp includes two of the new HD matrix modules and two bifunctional modules for courtesy lighting and auxiliary high beam. These four main light sources are arranged in a signature four-point layout. The previous top headlight from Porsche, by contrast, features four courtesy modules and a central Matrix module in 84-pixel technology.

The new HD matrix technology also distinguishes itself in terms of design: for the first time, Porsche’s characteristic four-point headlight graphics of the daytime running lights can also be seen at night when using the new system, both with low and high beams. . HD matrix headlamps will successively be introduced in different model lines with identical module technology but adapted designs. In the development process, Porsche filed more than 25 patents for innovative technology.

The world’s first high-resolution LED light matrix

New technology must unite different, and sometimes contradictory, requirements into a single system. The aim is to distribute all lighting functions among four units per headlamp for design reasons. However, the individual light sources still need to be combined in such a way that they provide homogeneous and powerful illumination at the same time.

Pre-design simulations were used to analyze which overall system design would best meet all requirements, including those of the customers. As a result, Porsche opted for the new, efficient HD matrix LED technology with 16,384 pixels per module instead of the technically feasible maximum resolution.

The lighthouse design is clearly structured. Four light modules arranged almost at right angles, each complemented by a narrow strip of daytime running lights above the module, outline the brand’s characteristic four-point design, day and night. The two upper bifunctional modules are identical and provide courtesy lighting and auxiliary high beam with three LEDs each.

The heart of the new HD matrix technology is the two lower light units. Each features an identical LED array with integrated LED driver (ASIC) that generates an unprecedented high-resolution luminous flux in an area of ​​just 12.8mm by 3.2mm. Comparable to a powerful graphics card, the system controller not only drives but also controls the brightness of each of the 16,384 individual Light-Emitting Diodes per LED array in 1024 steps. Different lenses, each with specifically polished optical glass, complete the two HD modules.

The lenses produce different angles of illumination. The wide angle lens of the outdoor HD Matrix Module “illumination” covers an angle of 40 degrees wide by ten degrees high. The internal ‘Performance’ HD matrix module with telephoto lens radiates light at 20 degrees by five degrees. So your lighting is only half as tall and half as wide, but significantly brighter. The light distributed by the two HD modules overlap in the center. The new headlight thus combines broad illumination with high intensity in the central area.

The best possible visibility in any situation

The performance leap in lighting technology can be attributed to this efficient light generation and the combination of the two HD matrix modules with the two bi-functional modules. With a total of 32,768 individually controllable pixels per headlamp, the HD matrix modules generate high-resolution direct light. Only the light that is really needed is generated. This is why it is known as active matrix light generation.

The HD Matrix Light illuminates the entire 40-degree horizontal and 10-degree vertical range with a lumen output of over 1,400 lumens, creating one of the largest and brightest high-resolution lighting areas. It covers the entire range of the high beam and starts just in front of the vehicle. Light can be distributed in any way within this area and this flexibility allows existing features to be improved and new ones to be introduced, always with the aim of offering the driver the best possible visibility in any situation.

Optimized and new functions for greater safety and comfort

High beam with auxiliary high beam (high performance high beam)
If the system does not detect any vehicles ahead or approaching vehicles, and the auto high beam is active, the HD matrix modules switch from low beam to high beam, and the auxiliary high beam of the modules upper bi-functional switches on automatically. . This ensures an increase in the beam length and increases the performance of the high beam. More than 600 meters if the road is illuminated.

Non-glaring high beam with new function
If the camera detects a vehicle ahead or an approaching vehicle, the auxiliary high beam is deactivated and the vehicle is selectively masked by turning off the corresponding pixels in the HD matrix modules. The energy this releases is converted into additional, functional HD light. The full width of available HD beam is used to optimize non-glare high-beam illumination and improve driver visibility without dazzling other drivers. When anti-glare is activated, the amount of light from the HD matrix module to the right and left of the anti-glare space is doubled, resulting in significant brightness of the remaining high beam range.

lane lighting
This function is used to better illuminate the vehicle’s own lane in the form of a light carpet. The lane between the road markings becomes significantly brighter. And this regardless of the position of the vehicle in the lane. Whether the vehicle is further to the right, further to the left or in the middle, the lightweight mat adheres to road markings like a magnet. The function is activated exclusively on motorways or comparable roads. It allows early detection of dangerous objects and reduces lane changes by other drivers less attentive to the vehicle’s own lane. For deliberate lane changes, the light mat briefly widens to cover both lanes when the marking is crossed, before illuminating only the new lane more brightly once the lane change is complete.

Narrow lane light and construction
When construction zones or tight areas are detected, the light mat is automatically reduced to the same width as the vehicle, including mirrors, to illuminate the lane and make it visible to the driver. This visual support allows drivers to better assess their position in the narrow lane, as well as overtaking manoeuvres. Steering and speed corrections are demonstrably reduced, improving lane keeping and road safety.

Adaptive high beam for motorway
On motorways and comparable high-speed roads, the control system ensures the best possible illumination of the driver’s lane while optimally adapting the light distribution to the motorway conditions. The lighting cuts in with a smooth transition to the center strip, avoiding dazzling drivers in the oncoming lane.

Animation as greeting and farewell
By locking and unlocking the vehicle, the low-beam four-point headlamps ensure visibility and safety in front of and around the vehicle. The vehicle bids the driver farewell with a discreet animation: HD matrix modules generate two headlight graphics in the brand’s signature four-point design, sweeping horizontally across any wall or garage door, for example, before exiting. The lighting system then activates the animation in reverse order when the parked vehicle is unlocked and the driver’s door is open.