Continental's next-generation light control technology for a unique light future

On 22 December 2021. Continental introduced its next-generation lighting control technologies, namely ADB (Adaptive Anti-Dazzle) and HD (High Definition Lighting) lighting control, in a media webinar on its next-generation lighting control technologies. It fully conveys the intelligence, comfort and user-friendliness of future lighting.

Dr Chi Dongsheng, R&D Director of Continental Lighting Control System Asia Pacific, gave a detailed explanation of Continental's next generation lighting control technology, including technical principles, application scenarios and future opportunities.

Dr Chi triggered from the past and present of automotive lighting development to the four stages of automotive lighting control: classic vehicle lighting control, advanced vehicle lighting control, digital lighting control style design and personalised lighting control.

ADB (Adaptive Anti-Dazzle) and HD (High Definition Lighting) Lighting Controls

Firstly, let's see the real face of ADB and HD. The conference site simulated a real-life scenario application, in a dark night, a car driving on the highway, the car is equipped with the most advanced lighting control technology and light source, not far away from the road can clearly see the left side of the road there is a car. Anti-glare high beams and maximum illumination, projected traffic signs through the road, auxiliary warning signs, etc. assist the driver in driving. This greatly improves the safety of night driving in particular.

So, what are the necessary conditions to realise the ADB and HD functions? According to Dr Chi, there are three levels of information input. At the first level, the driver observes the environment with his eyes and turns on the lights with his hands; at the second level, more inputs from body sensors are needed, such as body signals, camera image information, map information, LIDAR, millimetre-wave radar, etc. The ADB function belongs to this level, and anti-glare can be realised through camera image information. In addition to this, Continental is working on other sensor fusion research and development in the spirit of cross-departmental cooperation to study the software implementation of sensor fusion with ADAS and EB, so as to come up with better lighting algorithms for sensor fusion in the future. The third level, where the vehicle is connected to the cloud, involves not only the vehicle itself, but also a large amount of data and information for more vehicle-road collaboration.

Dr Chi stressed that ADB and HD lighting implementation cannot be separated from the whole vehicle electronic and electrical architecture. Lighting algorithm is actually the core part of ADB and HD lighting control, lighting algorithm is a relatively virtual thing, although intangible, but can exist in different hardware entities.ADB effectively solve the problem of too much and too little far light. In addition, high-definition lighting is not a function, but a class of functions, can be projected on a variety of warning signs, logos, text and even animation and other lighting revelation; in the rear of the car is also the same, used to warn the rear vehicles and pedestrians behind. According to different applications can be installed in different locations, such as headlights, fog lights, front bumper, side mirrors, doors, and so on. These application scenarios have been slowly developing, but have not yet achieved a wide range of promotion, on the one hand, the optical difficulties, at the same time, high-definition light controllers and conventional light controllers, the biggest difference from the technology is the image and video signal processing capabilities. Of course, cost is also an important factor. Surprisingly, according to Dr Chi revealed ADB adaptive anti-glare technology has been in the domestic OEM pole kryptonite 001 on the mass production, the subsequent years, many customers already have the intention to cooperate. High-definition projection technology will be mass-produced in the third quarter of next year in a European OEM on the market.

Continental's Self-developed LED Driver Chip - ‘°C’ ‘CELSIUS Degrees Celsius’

Dr Chi concluded that Continental's lighting controllers can integrate self-developed lighting control algorithms or third-party algorithms, in addition to wireless upgrade function (OTA), the iteration of lighting algorithms becomes possible. Meanwhile, Continental has independently developed an LED driver chip in the field of lighting control, named Celsius Celsius, which owns eight invention patents, meets the time protection in various application scenarios, and at the same time, is powerful, highly efficient to drive, and has a flexible enough configuration. The chip will be available in mass production in 2021 and has already been applied by customers.

Tail light controller

It can be seen that digital lighting is a stage in which technology is currently being attacked. As Dr Chi said, there is no end to lighting development. The next step should be the integration of lighting functions and material technology, which ultimately achieves great style as well as individuality. There are four keywords for the next generation of lighting control technology: integration, adaptive, networked, and intelligent. To achieve these key words must be three major components: the first must have a good light source, high-definition light source, the second must have a robust electronic control system, while the software and algorithms can not lag behind. Thirdly only by combining the light with electronics and software, and integrating it into the car networking system, can the light become more adaptive and intelligent. Illuminate the way forward for each of us with unexpected personalisation and comfort!