BMW 7 Series: Operation And Indication

In order for the driver to be able to activate and use the high-beam assistant, the light switch must first be set to Automatic or light switch position II.

In the F01/F02, the high-beam assistant has its own activation button in the turn signal/high-beam stalk on the steering column.

While the high-beam assistant can be activated at any time with the light switch in position II, there is an additional prerequisite in the Automatic position whereby the automatic driving lights controller must have already switched on the lights.

Fig. 125: Display Light Switch On Position A

Fig. 126: Display Light Switch On Position II

HIGH-BEAM ASSISTANT BUTTONS REFERENCE CHART

1. Turn signal/high-beam stalk on the steering column in the F01/F02
2. High-beam assistant on/off button

Fig. 127: Identifying High-Beam Assistant And Turn Signal/High-Beam Stalk On Steering Column

An active system is indicated by the following symbol in the instrument cluster.

Fig. 128: Display High-Beam Assistant Activated On Screen

Depending on the traffic situation, the prevailing ambient light conditions and which lights on the vehicle have been switched on, the high-beam headlights of the vehicle are switched on or off automatically by the footwell module at the request/activation recommendation of the KAFAS control unit.

Fig. 129: Display High-Beam Headlights On Screen

The switching on and off of the high-beam headlights is indicated by the conventional symbol in the instrument cluster.

Detection of Light in the Field of View of the Video Camera

The video cameras monitor the area ahead of the vehicle for light sources. Vehicles travelling in front and oncoming traffic become recognizable at distances of up to approximately 400m/437yd. The detection range of the video camera is approximately 1, 000m/1093yd. The video camera has a horizontal viewing angle of approximately 15º to the left and right and a vertical viewing angle of approximately 5º up and down.

When active, these special video cameras capture dots of light and, in the process, are able to distinguish between various parameters, e.g. light color and light intensity.

Fig. 130: Field View Of Video Camera On F01/F02

VIDEO CAMERA RANGE REFERENCE CHART

1. Recognition range
2. Detection range

Fig. 131: Horizontal/Vertical Field View Of Video Camera On F01/F02

Evaluation of Image Data

The various dots, colors and intensities of light captured by the camera are evaluated by the control unit and, based on the control unit's assessment, a switch-on or switch-off recommendation is sent from the KAFAS control unit to the footwell module.

In addition to the switch-on/switch-off recommendation, road speed is also taken into account.

At speeds below 24mph, the FLA is switched off; at speeds higher than 31mph, it may be switched on, depending on all other parameters.

If the vehicle is in an environment with adequate light, the high-beam headlights do not switch on. The KAFAS control unit sends a switch-off recommendation to the footwell module.

These conditions could be:

• Daylight
• Twilight
• Road lighting
• Illuminated places

The system is designed to switch off the high-beam headlights automatically in response to the following conditions.

• Oncoming traffic
• Preceding traffic
• Detection of background brightness (twilight, street lamps, illuminated places, etc.)
• Driving speed too low

Control of the High-beam Headlights

At the request of the FLA (KAFAS) control unit, the actual switching on and off of the high-beam headlights is always carried out by the footwell module, which is responsible for all of the exterior lighting.

The FLA control unit uses its own image data to assess background brightness.

The decision of the FRM to activate the dipped-beam headlights in A mode is made in the FRM independently of the FLA function. The FRM receives the light signal from the RLSS.

System limitations

In various situations, and under specific environmental conditions, the limitations of a camera-based system begin to impact on functionality.

These limitations may be reached in the following situations.

• Extremely bad weather conditions (e.g. fog or heavy snowfall).
• Poorly illuminated road users (e.g. riders on small motorcycles, cyclists, pedestrians).
• Individual driving situations (e.g. sharp bends, steep hills, traffic coming at right angles from left or right).
• Differentiation between different light sources, reflective traffic signs, etc.
• No recognition of oncoming traffic is possible if only the cone of light is within the video camera's field of view.
• Recognition is possible only if the light source itself is within the field of view of the video camera.

The driver is able to intervene at any time and override the assistance system by switching the high-beam headlights on and off manually.

The driver always bears sole responsibility for the vehicle and the control of the vehicle's lighting.

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