Camera-Based Driver Support Systems 2

Camera-Based Driver Support Systems

Camera-based driver support systems (KAFAS)
Depending on the options fitted, various camera-based systems are available. Technical implementation is realized with a camera in the mirror base and a control unit, the KAFAS control unit.
The display functions of the camera-based driver support systems are:
- Lane departure warning
- High-Beam Assistant (not permitted in Japan)
- Speed limit ( Speed Limit Info)
- New: Collision warning
- New: Overtaking ban

NOTICE: Optional equipment 5AC, high-beam assistant.

If the customer orders exclusively the high-beam assistant (5AC), the system is implemented with a camera and its own control unit in the inside mirror.
The lane departure warning and high-beam assistant are known systems. The speed limit and collision warning functions are only possible with Navigation system Professional.
The collision warning is offered for the first time as a camera-based function.







Brief component description
The following components for the camera-based driver support systems (KAFAS) are described:

operating facility for light, turn signal/high beam switch as well as the operating facility for assist systems
The high-beam assistant is switched on and off at the turn signal/high beam switch. To do this, the light switch must be in the automatic driving lights control (Position A) or low-beam headlight position. An additional prerequisite is that the low-beam headlights are switched on due to sufficient darkness.
For vehicles without automatic driving lights control, the high-beam assistant can also be activated for brightness. The high-beam assistant switches on the low-beam headlights based on the ambient brightness.







The button in the operating facility for assist systems switches the lane departure warning and collision warning on and off.







- Vehicles with front electronic module(FEM):
The operating facility for driver assist systems is connected to the Front Electronic Module (FEM) over the LIN bus. A bus signal from the Front Electronic Module to the KAFAS control unit indicates the button has been pressed. The ICM control unit only allows the lane departure warning to be switched on if the system is operating trouble-free. Only then is there positive confirmation by means of a bus signal to the Front Electronic Module to activate the function indicator light of the button. If there is a fault in the system, the function indicator light remains switched off despite keystroke. This allows the driver to see that the lane departure warning is not available.

- Vehicles with junction box electronics (JBE):
The operating facility for assist systems is connected via LIN bus to the footwell module (FRM). A bus signal from the footwell module to the KAFAS control unit indicates the button has been pressed. The ICM control unit only allows the lane departure warning to be switched on if the system is operating trouble-free. Only then is there positive confirmation by means of a bus signal to the footwell module to activate the function indicator light of the button. If there is a fault in the system, the function indicator light remains switched off despite keystroke. This allows the driver to see that the lane departure warning is not available.

Camera-based driver support systems camera
The video camera for the lane departure warning installed in the mirror base of the inside mirror monitors the near field of the vehicle. The video camera records the roadway up to approx. 40 metres in front of the vehicle and up to approx. 5 metres to the right and left at the sides of the vehicle. Image data are routed over a LVDS data line to the KAFAS control unit and evaluated. The control unit uses image processing to search in the imagery recorded by the video camera for possible existing lane and road markings.
The camera is connected to the KAFAS control unit by means of a 10-pin plug connection and shielding.







The camera-based driver support systems camera heating is located on the edge of the camera-based driver support systems camera's field of view. The heating is intended to prevent the windscreen in front of the KAFAS camera from fogging over and freezing. This increases the availability of the camera-based driver support systems camera during cold weather.







KAFAS: Control unit for camera-based driver support systems
The light points, light colors and light intensities picked up by the video camera are evaluated by the KAFAS control unit. The evaluation by the KAFAS control unit results in a switch-on or switch-off recommendation. The video camera is connected to the KAFAS control unit by means of a 12-pin line. The KAFAS control unit is connected to the PT-CAN.
The KAFAS control unit is supplied via terminal 15N by the front power distribution box.







Vibration actuator in the steering wheel
The vibration actuator is fitted in the spoke of the steering wheel. The vibration actuator has the task of causing the steering wheel to vibrate. The driver assistance systems 'lane departure warning' and 'lane change warning' use this vibration to warn the driver regarding dangerous situations.
The steering wheel module also housed inside the steering wheel activates the vibration actuator. The request for activation of the vibration actuator is sent by the Integrated Chassis Management (ICM) as a bus signal to the bus participants.
- Vehicles with Front Electronic Module:
The Front Electronic Module (FEM) forwards this request via LIN bus to the steering wheel electronics in the steering column switch cluster.

- Vehicles with junction box electronics:
The junction box electronics (JBE) forward this request via the LIN bus to the steering wheel electronics in the steering-column switch cluster.

The steering column switch cluster is not a control unit.







System functions
The following system functions are described:
- Functional networking
- Lane departure warning
- High-beam assistant
- Road sign recognition
- Collision warning
- Automatic braking for the recognition of stationary vehicles
- Overtaking ban
- System limits

Functional networking
A complex system network with distributed functions in other control units is necessary for implementation of the lane departure warning as well as the high-beam assistant.
The following graphic shows the composite system of the lane departure warning and high-beam assistant with the F30 as an example.







If only a high-beam assistant (5AC) is present, the composite system with F30 as an example is as follows:







Lane departure warning
The prerequisites for a lane departure warning are an identified lane and a specific driving speed. These make the system fundamentally ready to give a warning. When crossing over a lane is imminent, the system warns the driver through a vibrating steering wheel. The system firstly uses one or two identified lanes to calculate the vehicle position relative to these lanes. Using the yaw rate and the driving speed, the remaining time for driving over a lane is calculated. A warning is output in good time before crossing over the marking.
A warning is only output once when approaching a road marking. The warning lasts for a maximum of 2.5 seconds. No further warning is output if the vehicle remains on the lane marking. A renewed warning is only possible after steering back into the lane or a lane change. A lane change intended by the driver: no warning is output when the turn indicator is operated as an input signal.
The warning is ended in the following conditions:
- Driver steers back into the lane
- Lane change is carried out
- Vehicle is on the line for longer than 2.5 seconds
- Turn indicator for lane change is operated
- Brake is operated firmly (depending on brake pressure).

The speed for activation of a warning is country-dependent
- Europe: 70 km/h
- United States: 40 mph
- Japan: 50 km/h

The displays for system and warning readiness are shown on the instrument cluster as well as (vehicle-dependent) in the Head- Up Display.

High-beam assistant
The video camera monitors the near field of the vehicle for light sources. Traffic driving in front or approaching is identified at a distance of approx. 400 meters. The detection range of the video cameras is approx. 1000 metres. The video camera field of view has a horizontal side angle of approx. 15° to the left and right. The video camera field of view has a vertical elevation angle of approx. 5° up and down. The video camera records points of light when it is in operation. Distinction can be drawn between different parameters such as light color and light intensity.
The recorded light points, light colors and light intensities picked are evaluated by the KAFAS control unit. After evaluation the control unit gives a recommendation to switch on or off. The KAFAS or FLA control unit transmits the recommendation to the FLA control unit. The recommendation to switch on or off also incorporates the driving speed. For speeds under 30 km/h, the high-beam headlights are switched off. For a speed higher than 40 km an hour, the high-beam headlights are switched on in dependence on all additional parameters. The high-beam headlight is not switched on when the vehicle is in an environment with sufficient lighting. The KAFAS control unit (or FLA control unit) sends a switch-off recommendation.

Road sign recognition

Marketing designation: Speed Limit Information
Road sign recognition displays current speed limits on the instrument cluster as well as the Head-Up Display. Road sign recognition therefore provides the driver with an aid to prevent excessive speeds. Responsibility for the vehicle and driven speed lies exclusively with the driver. The display of speed limits is based upon the following evaluations:
- Data from navigation system
- Image data from the video camera

Provided data on speed limits for the current road are stored in the navigation data, these are used as the basis by the KAFAS control unit. In parallel to this, the video data from the video camera are also evaluated in the KAFAS control unit. The image data are read in by the KAFAS control unit and evaluated for speed limit and end of speed limit traffic signs. If the video camera identifies signed, local, temporary speed limits, these are displayed with priority over the navigation data. In the case of covered or non-identifiable signs for ending top speed limitations, the speed limit displays are cancelled in accordance with a specified time and route parameters.

Collision warning
In contrast to the collision warning, with Active Cruise Control (ACC = Radar), a camera-based technology is applied. Beyond a speed threshold of 15 km/h, the collision warning can issue warnings to rear views of vehicles.
The collision warning has the following subfunctions:
- Initial warning
Warning, e.g. for signs of collision risk or for very small distances to a vehicle ahead.
Warning through red vehicle symbol in the instrument cluster, alternative Head-Up Display.
- Static prewarning for small distance
- Dynamic prewarning for approaching

- Acute warning
Warning for immediate risk of collision, if the vehicle approaches another object with relatively high differential speed.
Flashing red vehicle symbol in the instrument cluster, alternative Head-Up Display and acoustic warning signal

- Pre-filling of the brake
- Adaptation of the thresholds for the Dynamic Brake Control

A Check Control message is also issued.
The time of the warning can be dependent on different values. For example:
- Classification of the current driving situation
- Possibly wet roadway
- Estimation of the attention of the driver via pedal movements and steering wheel movements

Observe functional limitations in the Owner's Handbook.

Automatic braking for the recognition of stationary vehicles
If the vehicle has the optional equipment 5AT, stationary and reeving vehicles are also identified. Emergency braking can take place for stationary vehicles in danger areas.

Overtaking ban
This function displays with the corresponding icons in the instrument cluster (alternative Head-Up Display) detected overtaking bans. The images recorded by the camera-based driver support systems camera are consolidated with the navigation data. The cancellation of overtaking bans is also displayed.
Additional traffic signs (e.g. truck, trailer) are detected and analysed for plausibility.

System limits
The system function is restricted for some road and ambient conditions: for instance a snow-covered roadway, fog, rain, counter-light and dazzling due to the physical limits of the optical system.

Notes for Service department

General notes
In the event of replacement of the camera or windscreen, calibration of the lane departure warning is required, as in these cases the position of the camera could have changed. If the control unit is replaced, no calibration is required. In this case, the calibration data stored in the camera are transferred to the control unit and stored there.

Diagnosis instructions

NOTICE: Follow the instructions for service functions.

The diagnosis system provides the following service functions for the lane departure warning:
- Adjustment of lane departure warning actuator
- Calibration of lane departure warning

Path: Service functions > Driver assist > Camera-based driver support systems
We can assume no liability for printing errors or inaccuracies in this document and reserve the right to introduce technical modifications at any time.