BMW 7 Series: System Components

The BMW Night Vision 2 system consists of the camera, control unit, camera washer jet, button and the sensor system.

The BMW Night Vision 2 system consists of the following components:

• Night Vision 2 camera with camera bracket in the kidney grille and camera washer jet
• Night Vision 2 control unit
• Button in BEFAS
• Sensor system

Fig. 68: Identifying Button On Control Panel, Night Vision 2 Camera And Control Unit

BMW NIGHT VISION 2 SYSTEM COMPONENTS CHART

1. Night Vision 2 camera
2. Night Vision 2 control unit
3. Button in control panel of driver assist systems BEFAS

Night Vision 2 Camera

The thermal imaging camera consists of a heated protective window, optical element and a thermal imaging sensor. The thermal imaging sensor is made up of a multitude of sensor elements.

Each display pixel is assigned one such sensor element. The sensor elements generate an electrical signal as a function of the impinging intensity of heat radiation.

The higher the temperature, the brighter the corresponding pixel will be displayed. The heat radiation is converted into electrical signals on the basis of the principle of a change in resistance.

The image can be replaced up to 30 times per second. In order to ensure an image of consistent quality, it is necessary for the camera to be calibrated approximately every 120 - 180 seconds. This calibration can take up to approximately 0.3 seconds. For this reason, the image may be seen to freeze briefly in the display.

Fig. 69: Identifying Night Vision 2 Camera

The Night Vision 2 camera is mounted with a bracket directly behind the left kidney grille. The camera is equipped with a sensor which detects heat-emitting objects in the far infrared range (wavelengths from 8 μm to 14 μm). The camera resolution is 324 x 256 pixels.

The maximum angle of view is 24º. The camera operates in an ambient temperature range of -40ºC/-40F to +80ºC/176ºF. The imaging sensor is thermally insulated to provide protection against heat influences from the camera surroundings.

The washer jet is screwed to the camera bracket and is situated directly below the protective window. It is directly connected to the headlight washer system and therefore operates in connection with it.

A heater element is incorporated on the inside of the protective window to prevent it from misting over or freezing up. The heater is located at the edge of the protective window outside the camera's field of vision.

Night Vision 2 Control Unit

The control unit is installed behind the compartment in the area of the A-pillar directly under the light switch cluster.

The control unit calculates the displayed 720 x 480 pixel image from the 324 x 256 pixel raw data image supplied by the camera. Automatic pedestrian detection is executed in the control unit. The diagnosis, programming and coding data are also transmitted to the camera through the control unit.

Fig. 70: Identifying BMW Night Vision 2 Control Unit

The camera and the protective window heater are powered via the control unit. The raw image data from the camera are transmitted through a LVDS cable to the control unit.

The image output by the control unit is made available in the head unit in the form of a dCVBS signal.

The camera-housing cover features a 6-pin plug connection.

Fig. 71: Identifying 6-Pin Plug Connection

The button for switching BMW Night Vision 2 on and off is integrated in the BEFAS.

Fig. 72: Display Button On BEFAS BMW7 Series

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