Part 1

Non-Glare High-Beam Assistant

Non-glare high-beam assistant
The exterior lights allows the owner to identify the vehicle and signal driving maneuvers during both the day and night. The vehicle lights illuminate the vehicle driving area.
In order to meet the requirements derived from the different traffic situations and road surface types, the use of headlights will occur with variable light distribution in the future. The goal is an improved illumination of the roadway with greater headlight beam throw even with oncoming traffic or traffic ahead.
The non-glare high-beam assistant system can remain switched on throughout the entire night drive. Oncoming cars or traffic ahead will be detected on time and "suppressed" from the light beam. The more intensive use of the high-beam headlight at night results in an improved recognition of dangerous situations. The exterior lights thus contribute to active safety in traffic.
The non-glare high-beam assistant is integrated in the optional equipment Adaptive Headlight SA524. This results in a forced connection with the following optional equipment:
- Xenon headlight SA522 or LED headlight SA552
- Rain sensor SA521
- Fog lights SA520
- high-beam assistant SA5AC

The non-glare high-beam assistant is only offered in the European version. The non-glare high-beam assistant is not available in the US version and Japanese version.
Depending on the vehicle type and vehicle equipment, different systems may be used.
The graphic below shows the components that are involved in the control of the non-glare high-beam assistant using the example F10.







Brief component description
Components can vary depending on the vehicle-specifics and equipment-specifics. For example: The front electronics module (FEM) replaces the footwell module (FRM) in the F3x and the junction box electronics (JBE).
The following components are described for the non-glare high-beam assistant:
- Headlight
- Headlight driver module
- Footwell module (FRM)
- LED main light module
- Integrated chassis management (ICM)
- Junction Box Electronics (JBE)
- Central gateway module (ZGM)
- Front electronics module (FEM)
- Steering column switch cluster
- Rain-light-solar-condensation sensor
- Inside mirror with high-beam assistant
- Camera-based driver support systems camera
- Operating facility for light
- Turn signal/high beam switch

Headlight
Xenon headlights and LED headlights are available as optional equipment. Xenon headlights or LED headlights are required for the non-glare high-beam assistant. The low-beam headlight of the xenon headlight is located in the outer chamber of the headlight. If the vehicle has LED headlights, the LEDs of the low-beam headlight will be switched on in both chambers of the headlight when the driving light is switched on.
Each of the headlights has two stepper motors. One for the headlight beam throw adjustment, and the second stepper motor is responsible for the function of the curve light and also the function of the non-glare headlight assistant. Each headlight can hereby be swivelled up to a maximum of 15° separately. This results in a n adjustment of the headlight, which provides a non-glare range from 5° - 7° in the event of oncoming traffic or traffic ahead.
The light beam of the headlight is limited to the inside with a permanent cover. This results in a light distribution that is different from conventional headlights.
The high-beam headlight is also used for the headlight flasher function.
The graphic below shows the components using the example of a xenon headlight in the F01LCI.







The graphic below shows the components using the example of a xenon headlight in the F30.







Headlight driver module
The headlight driver module is fitted as a printed circuit board in the headlight. The headlight driver module evaluates the signals sent from the footwell module (FRM). In this process, the headlight driver module assumes control of the following lighting functions of the headlight.
In addition to the light function, the headlight driver module also controls the following functions of the stepper motors:
- Headlight beam throw adjustment
- Adaptive Headlights
- Non-glare high-beam assistant

LED main light module
The LED main light module is fitted on the underside of the LED headlight.
The LED main light module controls the following functions:
- Low-beam headlights
- High-beam headlight
- Headlight flasher

The lighting functions are controlled via terminals 56 a and 56 b.
The LED main light module also regulates the temperature control in the LED headlight. The values of 3 temperature sensors and the signals relating to driving speed and ambient temperature serve as an input signal.
The temperature control also includes a function for de-icing the LED headlight.
For diagnosis of the fans and temperature sensors, the data from the LED main light module is transferred to the footwell module (FRM).

Footwell module (FRM)
All functions of the exterior lights are controlled by the footwell module (FRM).
The footwell module (FRM) receives many input signals that cause the headlights to be switched on. The footwell module (FRM) forms the interface to the instrument cluster (KOMBI). It enables communication between the LIN bus and the K-CAN and therefore message transmission to the respective other data bus.

Integrated chassis management (ICM)
Data from ride height sensors at the front and rear axle is evaluated by the Integrated Chassis
Management (ICM). The automatic headlight beam throw adjustment thus ensures that oncoming traffic is not dazzled. The Integrated Chassis Management (ICM) also contains sensors for driving dynamics control. The footwell module (FRM) receives signals from the Integrated Chassis Management (ICM).

Junction Box Electronics (JBE)
The Junction Box Electronics (JBE) requests information on ambient brightness from the rain-light-solar-condensation sensor through the LIN bus. The junction box electronics (JBE) send the status to the footwell module (FRM). The footwell module (FRM) assesses the status of the ambient brightness.

Central gateway module (ZGM)
The central gateway module (ZGM) links all of the data buses. The central gateway module's (ZGM) gateway function thus supports data exchanges amongst the various bus systems. Stored system functions can be called up using appropriate commands.

Front electronics module (FEM)
The Front Electronic Module (FEM) represents a new generation which supersedes existing control units and their functions. The Front Electronic Module (FEM) is the central control unit in the vehicle electrical system. At the same time, the Front Electronic Module (FEM) is the gateway for the other control units. The Front Electronic Module (FEM) provides functions from the previous control units footwell module (FRM), Car Access System (CAS), Junction Box Electronics (JBE) and central gateway module (ZGM). The central gateway module (ZGM) is installed in the Front Electronic Module (FEM) as an independent control unit.
As the master control unit, the Front Electronic Module (FEM) is responsible for the functions of the exterior lights. The front electronic module (FEM) decides which lighting functions must be activated and/or deactivated. For many functions, information from sensors, contacts and switches is required. The Front Electronic Module (FEM) receives the signals from the components and transmits the corresponding information to the bus users.

Steering column switch cluster
The steering column switch cluster features one steering column switch each on the left and right sides. The righthand steering column switch controls the functions of the wash/wipe system. The steering column switch on the left side of the steering column controls the high-beam headlight and turn indicators as well as operation of the onboard computer.
The signals for the integrated steering angle sensor are sent to the Integrated Chassis Management (ICM).

Rain-light-solar-condensation sensor
The rain-light-solar-condensation sensor receives its voltage supply from the roof function centre (FZD) and consists of the following sensors:
- Rain sensor
- Photosensor
- Solar sensor
- Condensation sensor

The photosensors measure the ambient brightness and the near field of the vehicle. The photosensors supply the signal for switching the automatic driving lights control on or off.

Inside mirror with high-beam assistant
The high-beam assistant camera and high-beam assistant control unit are installed in a common housing in the interior mirror. The high-beam assistant camera is a simplified image sensor that can recognize the colour and intensity of the light.
A plug connector supplies the high-beam assistant camera with voltage. An additional connector connects the high-beam control unit to the CAN bus of the vehicle.







Camera-based driver support systems camera
Depending on the options fitted, various camera-based systems are available. The light points, light colors and light intensities picked up by the KAFAS camera are evaluated by the KAFAS control unit. The evaluation by the KAFAS control unit results in a recommendation to switch on or off the non-glare high-beam assistant. The technical implementation occurs with the a KAFAS camera and KAFAS control unit.







Operating facility for light
The exterior lights can be switched on and off at the operating facility for lights.
The operating facility for lights includes both the light switch and other components.







Turn signal/high beam switch
The turn indicators and the high-beam headlight are controlled by turn signal/high beam switch on the steering column switch cluster.
The signal for the turn signal/high beam switch is sent by the steering column switch cluster The footwell module (FRM) receives the signals for the turn signal/high beam switch via central gateway module.







System overview
The graphic below shows the system network of the non-glare headlight assistant with KAFAS camera and xenon headlights on the example F10.







The graphic below shows the system network of the non-glare headlight assistant in the inside mirror and LED headlights on the example F30.