Summary of THE EVOLUTION OF LIGHT: NICHIA AND INFINEON TO BUILD HIGH-DEFINITION MICRO-LED MATRIX SOLUTION FOR ADAPTIVE DRIVING BEAMS
Nichia and Infineon are collaborating to develop a high-definition automotive light engine featuring over 16,000 micro-LEDs. This technology offers 180 times the resolution of current solutions, enabling precise hazard warnings, road markings, and glare-free beams. The system utilizes Nichia's micro-LEDs paired with an Infineon driver IC that controls each LED individually, significantly improving energy efficiency by illuminating only necessary areas.
Parts used in the HD Light Engine:
- Micro-LEDs (over 16,000 units)
- Driver IC from Infineon
Automotive lighting as an important safety and popular design feature in vehicles has evolved rapidly in the past years. Now, Nichia Corporation and Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) start a collaboration to add further momentum to this evolution. Together, they are developing a high-definition (HD) light engine with more than 16,000 micro-LEDs for front light applications. Unlike current HD solutions, the new device will provide high resolution light to the entire field of view of the driver.
“Our new LED matrix light will offer a resolution about 180 times as high as that of comparable solutions on the road today,” said Kanji Bando, Head of the Advanced R&D Center at Nichia. “This will pave the way for new and improved safety features and enhance driving comfort.”
For example, HD light can be used to warn the driver of hazards by highlighting people or objects on the roadside. It can project markings on the road – for example, in order to help the driver navigate through a construction site. And established features such as the glare-free high beam or bending lights run more precisely and smoothly.
The new HD light engine will employ micro-LED technology from Nichia and a new driver IC from Infineon.
“Our chip will control and diagnose all 16,000 micro-LEDs individually,” said Andreas Doll, Vice President and General Manager of the Body Power Business Unit of Infineon’s Automotive Division. “In addition to the safety benefits, our new solution will also significantly increase energy efficiency because it allows us to turn on only those LEDs actually needed for a light pattern.”
Current micro-mirrors solutions turn on all LEDs and deflect surplus light.
- Who is collaborating on this project?
Nichia Corporation and Infineon Technologies AG. - How many micro-LEDs does the new device contain?
The device contains more than 16,000 micro-LEDs. - What is the resolution increase compared to current solutions?
The new LED matrix offers a resolution about 180 times higher. - Can this technology warn drivers of hazards?
Yes, it can highlight people or objects on the roadside to warn drivers. - Does the new solution improve energy efficiency?
Yes, it increases efficiency by turning on only the LEDs actually needed for a pattern. - How does the new driver IC function?
The chip controls and diagnoses all 16,000 micro-LEDs individually. - What is different about current micro-mirror solutions?
Current solutions turn on all LEDs and deflect surplus light. - Can the light project markings on the road?
Yes, it can project markings to help drivers navigate through construction sites.
