Incorporating new HD LED technology developed in partnership with Bosch, Infineon and Nichia, each unit is imbued with 8192 LEDs or pixels. This provides a combined 32,768 pixels for the high beam function, which operates at an intensity of up to 300lx. By comparison, Porsche's existing single-unit LED matrix system offers 84 pixels per headlight, or a combined 168 pixels.
Benjamin Hummel, head of lighting modules at Porsche, states that the twin high beam set-up provides more homogeneity and performance than the single high beam unit currently in use.
"At 300lx, it is possible to project the high beam up to 600m. But it is not only about a certain range. You need good light distribution within the whole field, too. We achieved this with four light sources. The brightness of the centre and side areas can be continuously adjusted for added roadside illumination. Greater illumination leads to better lighting performance," he said.
Each LED is described as having the thickness of a human hair, allowing 8192 separate LEDs or pixels to be packaged in each of the light sources. A newly developed HD ECU also provides automatic 3D graphic calculation of the lighting contribution of each LED, says Porsche.
The intensity of the high beam light can now be adjusted in 124 different steps, with 60Hz operation enabing a refresh in the projection every 16 milliseconds. This is claimed to reduce glare and dazzle on road signs and the like. In combination with a stereo camera and infrared sensor mounted within the windsceen, among the functions offered by the new HD matrix LED headlight are regular high beam, glare-free high beam (also known as the Performance setting), adaptive highway high beam, dynamic safety zone and sign glare reduction.
The low beam functions are housed within the upper points of each headlight, operating with three pixels each for a total of 12 pixels in total. Porsche has also programmed its new headlight to provide a welcome and departure animation.
The Porsche Cayenne and Porsche Cayenne Coupé will offer an optional HD matrix LED headlight technology for the 2023 model year.
Source: Autocar