Intelligent LED forward lighting for greater safety

Osram Opto Semiconductors is coordinating a project in the “Integrated Microphotonics” Field of the FMER

Adaptive forward lighting, in other words glare-free camera-controlled headlamps that react instantly, will be helping drivers even more in the future thanks to additional intelligent functions. The key to this complex functionality is the integration of microelectronics and optoelectronics – one of the principal aspects of the research project sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (FMER) within the “Photonics Research Germany” program. Osram is contributing its expertise as the project coordinator and market leader in LED lighting for the automotive sector.

The aim of this joint project as part of the FMER “Integrated microphotonics” initiative is to develop the technical framework for a new class of energy-efficient LED headlamps with supplementary traffic safety functions. This can provide the basis for adaptive forward lighting systems (AFS) that offer drivers and passengers increased safety. Improved safety will come for example from glare-free high-beam, and low-beam that adapts to the speed of the vehicle. At high speed the range of the light is automatically increased. In city traffic however a wider distribution of the light can improve road safety by illuminating more of the sidewalk and margins. These functions are fully electronic so there is no need for mechanical actuators.

New technologies for LED headlamps

Osram Opto Semiconductors is bringing its expertise to this project as the project coordinator and market leader in LED lighting for the automotive sector. The semiconductor specialist has extensive know-how in chip and converter technologies. Osram’s Specialty Lighting division will be developing new electronic control gear for controlling the LED headlamp system. The Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration (IZM) is contributing its expertise in interconnection technology and materials, and Infineon Technologies is offering its experience in automotive electronics and LED drivers. The automotive industry supplier and lighting specialist HELLA KGaA Hueck & Co. will develop the entire optical system for the LED module and the headlamps, and will build prototypes. Daimler, a major engineering power-house in the automotive sector, will carry out the vehicle tests.

Project coordinator Stefan Grötsch, responsible for LED applications in automotive lighting at Osram Opto Semiconductors, is satisfied with progress so far: “We have brought together major-league players in their respective sectors, assembling a wealth of expertise for this pioneering project around one table.” The project is being sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (FMER) under reference number 13N12510 and is scheduled to run from February 1, 2013 to January 31, 2016.