Dynamic marker light

The system dynamic marker light enhances the safety of all those involved through the shine on people or animals on the roadway.

A far-infrared camera captures the front of the vehicle and warns of people or animals on the road.

Depending on the ambient conditions, the system dynamic marker light operates in a range of about 15 to about 100 meters.

In case of a pedestrian warning or animal warning the headlights flash three times in order to point out people or animals on the roadway. Then the dynamic marking light points out the endangered objects (person or animal) within the system boundaries by a continuous light beam. Depending on the situation, up to two objects (person or animal) can be illuminated at the same time

The dynamic marker light is performed by the LED headlight. For this purpose, a certain portion of the LED headlight is used which is also used for the glare-free high beam.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Item	Explanation
A	Illuminated area in front of the car without dynamic marker light
B	Illuminated area in front of the car without dynamic marker light

Brief component description

Components can vary depending on the vehicle-specifics and equipment-specifics.

The following components of the system dynamic marker light are described

LED headlight for dynamic marker light

The dynamic marker light is possible with following headlight

LED headlight

LED headlight with BMW laser light

The dynamic marker light is generated using only the LED headlight. For this purpose, a certain portion of the LED headlight is used which is also used for the glare-free high beam.

Each LED headlight can always illuminate only one object (person or animal). In the process, only the person or animal with the highest danger potential is illuminated. The calculation takes place in the night vision electronics (NVE).

FLEL and FLER: Front Light Electronics Left and Front Light Electronics Right

While the two control units share an identical design structure, different terminal pin codes divide them for use as the Front light electronics, left (FLEL), and the Front light electronics, right (FLER) ECUs. The correct Front light electronics encoded data must be entered as part of the replacement procedure.

Depending on the vehicle equipment, the Front Light Electronics Left (FLEL) or Front Light Electronics Right (FLER) steers the stepper motors for the headlight beam throw adjustment and adaptive headlight, apart from the lighting functions.

The night vision electronics (NVE) is the requirement for the dynamic marker light as a message on the bus.

Night Vision camera

The night vision camera consists of a heated protective glass, optics and the thermal imaging sensor

Objects are detected at a very early stage, at a range of up to several hundred meters. The range depends on the weather conditions. Rain, dirt, snow or ice can impair the functionality of the camera. The camera is automatically heated if the ambient temperatures are low (below 5°C). The camera is automatically cleaned using a spray nozzle.

The Night Vision camera is connected via an LVDS data line at the night vision electronics (NVE).

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Item	Explanation
1	Night Vision camera
2	Plug connection 4-pin for LVDS data line
3	Heated glass (lens behind)

Environmental influences can limit the availability of the object detection. The recognizability depends on the temperature difference of the objects to the background and the thermal radiation of the object. Recognition of objects with a low temperature difference compared to the surroundings and low thermal radiation is limited.

For safety reasons, starting at approx. 5 km/h and lower the image ambient brightness is only displayed during a switched on low-beam headlight.

NVE: Night Vision Electronics

The night vision electronics software searches for objects in the form of persons or animals in the image from the camera. It determines their position and distance. The warning range ahead of the vehicle is determined based on the driving speed and steering angle

A symbol is displayed in the instrument cluster and if applicable in the Head-Up Display. The night vision electronics (NVE) converts the image signals of the night vision camera for display in the Central Information Display into a CVBS signal (CVBS: Color Video Blanking Signal)

The night vision electronics (NVE) sends the data as a message on the bus.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Item	Explanation
1	Night vision electronics (NVE)
2	6-pin plug connection
3	6-pin plug connection
4	Plug connection 4-pin for LVDS data line

BDC Body Domain Controller

The body domain controller (BDC) is the central control unit in the vehicle electrical system. At the same time, the body domain controller (BDC) is the gateway for the other control units. The central gateway module (ZGM) is an independent module in the Body Domain Controller (BDC).

The night vision electronics (NVE) controls the dynamic marker light. The request sends the night vision electronics (NVE) via a bus signal on the PT-CAN to the body domain controller (BDC). The Body Domain Controller (BDC) transmits the control signals to the K-CAN3 to the Front Light Electronics Left (FLEL) and Front Light Electronics Right (FLER).

DSC: Dynamic stability control

The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) provides information vehicle in the form of signals on the dynamic state to the systems. (e.g. driving speed, steering angle).

The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is the bus user at FlexRay.

KAFAS camera and FLA camera

The KAFAS camera and the FLA camera are image sensors that can detect the color and intensity of light. Depending on the vehicle equipment, either a FLA camera or a KAFAS camera is installed. The recorded light points, light colors and light intensity are evaluated in the camera-based driver assistance systems control unit or the FLA control unit.

FLA: High beam assistance

If only a high-beam assistant (SA5AC) is present, the light points, light colors and light intensity which are recorded by the FLA camera are evaluated by the FLA control unit.

The high-beam assistant identifies the oncoming and ahead driving road users with the help of the FLA camera. The high-beam assistant monitors the distant field (up to 1000 m) ahead of the vehicle for the identification of a vehicle. By doing this, oncoming vehicles are identified starting at a distance of 1000 m; vehicles that are driving in front are identified starting at 400 m.

KAFAS: Camera-based driver support systems

Depending on the options fitted, various camera-based systems are available. The light points, light colors and light intensities picked up by the KAFAS camera are evaluated by the KAFAS control unit. The function High-beam assistant (FLA) is integrated in the KAFAS control unit.

The KAFAS control unit identifies the oncoming and in front driving road users with help of the KAFAS camera. The high-beam assistant monitors the distant field (up to 1000 m) ahead of the vehicle for the identification of a vehicle. By doing this, oncoming vehicles are identified starting at a distance of 1000 m; vehicles that are driving in front are identified starting at 400 m.

Light operating unit

The light operating unit contains both the light switch as well as additional components. The light switch (switch position A) should be in the switch position for the automatic headlight control for the function of dynamic marker light.

Using the Night Vision camera button, the display of Night Vision in the Central Information Display can be manually activated or deactivated. The switch-on signal is transmitted to the control unit of the night vision electronics (NVE).

NOTE: If the display in the central information display is deactivated: BMW Night Vision continues to operate in the background and continues to generate warnings.

Driver assistance system switch controls

The driver assist systems are operated via a single button. In the operating instructions this button is designated as follows: Intelligent Safety

The display and operating concept was combined on this one button.

Through the driver assistance system, the dynamic marker light can be turned on and off. If the Intelligent Safety button is pressed, a menu opens in the central information display. This menu allows the respective settings to be made for the dynamic marker light.

NOTE: Read operating instructions for instructions on operation.

The driver assistance system is located in the center console. The hazard warning switch is also integrated.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Item	Explanation
1	Hazard warning switch
2	6-pin plug connection
3	Intelligent Safety button

SZL: Steering column switch cluster

The steering column switch cluster (SZL) features one steering column switch each on the left and right sides. The right-hand steering column switch controls the functions of the wash/wipe system. The steering column switch on the left side of the steering column controls the high-beam headlight and turn signals as well as operation of the on-board computer.

The signals of the integrated steering angle sensor are sent to the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).

System overview

A complex system network with distributed functions in other control units is necessary for the implementation of the traffic jam assistant system. The targeted illumination system is only available in conjunction with the optional equipment BMW Night Vision with person recognition.

The graphic below shows the simplified system network for the system dynamic marker light using the example G11.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Item	Explanation
1	LED headlight left with Front Light Electronics Left (FLEL)
2	Night Vision camera
3	Camera-based driver support systems camera
4	LED headlight right with Front Light Electronics Right (FLER)
5	Camera-based driver support systems camera control unit
6	Light operating unit
7	Steering column switch cluster
8	Driver assistance system switch controls
9	Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
10	FLA camera, not in combination with the KAFAS camera
11	High-beam assistant (FLA), not in combination with KAFAS
12	Night vision electronics (NVE)
13	Terminating resistor
14	Body Domain Controller (BDC)

System functions

NOTE: Prerequisite for an optimal system function

Clean and adjusted Night Vision camera, KAFAS camera or FLA camera and LED headlights for targeted illumination (no mechanical effect on the system, e.g. after an accident).

Switch-on conditions

The high-beam headlight is switched on under the following preconditions:

Light switch in switch position A (switch position for automatic headlight control) Active low beam
Function dynamic marker light activated
No other road users in the area of the object to be illuminated (human or animal).
Switch-off condition

The dynamic marking light is switched off under the following conditions or not turned on:
Object (person or animal) is located outside the movement and detection range of the LED headlight.
Object (person or animal) which should be warned about is located in the non-glare area.
The ambient brightness is high and/or there are many in front driving or oncoming vehicles present, so that the high-beam assistant can no longer securely identify in which area the road users are located.
Car's road speed under 20 km/h
The LED headlights for dynamic marker light adjust to the movement of the detected objects (person or animal). In addition, both LED headlights can be independently tilted several degrees horizontally via the stepper motor for the adaptive headlight. If the object (person or animal) is at a difficult angle, the function dynamic marker light is turned off in the corresponding LED headlights.

System limits

The function of the targeted illumination system is limited in following situations, e.g. due to the physical limits of the system optics:
Steep crests or drops
Oncoming light and dazzlings
During heavy fog, rain or snow fall
Deactivation at an ambient temperature of 30°C or above:
The function of the targeted illumination system is limited in the following situations, e.g. due to the limits of the person recognition and animal recognition:
Persons who are not standing, e.g. laying down
Cyclists on unusual wheels, e.g. recumbent bicycles
Notes for Service Technician

General notes

If an LED headlight fails, the continued use of functional dynamic marker light with just one LED headlights is not possible.

Diagnosis instructions

A functional check can be activated via a service function for the lighting. With it, the function of the system be checked while it is not running.

Path: >>>Service functions body lighting glare-free high beam adjustment

The respective LED headlight thus tracks the person, blinks this person three times at the beginning and then turns into a constant illumination. The selection of the LED headlights depends on the position of the person.

If the vehicle drives off, the functional check automatically switches off.

Preconditions for a functional check:
Prerequisite for optimal system function is fulfilled.
The functional check is only possible with one person in front of the vehicle
Minimum distance of the person in front of the vehicle: 15 meters
We can assume no liability for printing errors or inaccuracies in this service information and reserve the right to introduce technical modifications at any time.