Porsche has revealed the new HD matrix LED headlamp technology that it plans to introduce in 2023, claiming it sets new standards in “glare-free” high-beam lighting performance.
The new technology, which will initially be available as an option on the facelifted 2023 model year Porsche Cayenne and Porsche Cayenne Coupé, differs significantly from that used by current Porsche models, with the high-beam function now performed by two separate light sources in each mount.
Benjamin Hummel, head of lighting modules at Porsche, says the move was prompted by a desire to further emphasize the four-point styling that has become a signature design element for the German automaker in recent years.
To that end, the new headlamp dispenses with the single high-beam unit that sits in the middle of Porsche’s existing LED matrix headlamp. It is replaced by two separate units within the lower points of each lighthouse, or four units total.
Incorporating new HD LED technology developed in partnership with Bosch, Infineon and Nichia, each unit is imbued with 8,192 LEDs, or pixels. This provides a combined 32,768 pixels for the high beam feature, operating at up to 300 lx intensity.
By comparison, Porsche’s existing single-unit LED matrix system offers 84 pixels per headlight, or 168 pixels combined.
Hummel says the twin high beam configuration provides greater consistency and performance compared to the single high beam unit currently in use.
“At 300 lx, it is possible to project the main beam up to 600 m. But it is not just a certain range. You also need a good distribution of light across the field. We accomplished this with four light sources. The brightness of the center and side areas can be continuously adjusted for more side illumination. Higher lighting leads to better lighting performance,” he said.
The breakthrough that has enabled Porsche to package the high beam function of its new HD Matrix LED headlamp into two separate units is the new micro-LED technology. Each LED is described as being the thickness of a human hair, allowing 8192 separate LEDs or pixels to be packed into each of the light sources.
A newly developed HD ECU also provides an automatic 3D graphical calculation of the lighting contribution of each LED, Porsche says.
Combined with a stereo camera and an infrared sensor mounted inside the windshield, Porsche’s new headlamp provides matrix properties, with other road users, oncoming cars and other areas that may be hidden outside of the headlight projection. light.
“Navigation, traffic, chassis and steering parameters are also part of the calculation,” Hummel said.
High beam intensity can now be adjusted in 124 different steps, with 60Hz operation allowing for a projection update every 16 milliseconds. This is claimed to reduce glare and glare on road signs and the like.