Multifunction Camera, Basic Function - GF54.71-P-9890A

MODEL ALL (CAR) 

with CODE 22P (Lane tracking package) 

MODEL ALL (CAR) 

with CODE 23P (Driving Assistance package) 

MODEL ALL (CAR) 

with CODE 243 (Active lane keeping Assist) 

MODEL ALL (CAR) 

with CODE 504 (Speed Limit Assist) 

MODEL ALL (CAR) 

with CODE 513 (Traffic Sign Assist) 

MODEL ALL (CAR) 

with CODE 608 (Adaptive Highbeam Assist) 

MODEL ALL (CAR) 

with CODE 628 (Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus) 

MODEL ALL (CAR) 

with CODE P20 (Driving Assistance package Plus) 

Location 

The mono multifunction camera is located at the top center of the windshield behind a trim.

The stereo multifunction camera is located at the top center of the windshield behind a trim.

Task 

Mono multifunction camera (vehicles without Driving Assistance Package) 

The mono multifunction camera records the area in front of the vehicle (e.g. brightness, objects or traffic signs). These are evaluated by the integrated electronic analysis system and then used for implementing various functions.

The mono multifunction camera controls the following functions:

• Track guidance (vehicles with Active Lane Keeping Assist)
• Traffic area monitoring (vehicles for countries with European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP))
• Traffic sign recognition (vehicles with Speed Limit Assist or with Traffic Sign Assist)
• Automatic high beam (vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist)

A differentiation is made between the following mono multifunction camera variants:

• Entry (vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist)
• High (vehicles with Active Lane Keeping Assist, with Traffic Sign Assist)
• EVO (vehicles for countries with Euro NCAP)

The entry or high mono multifunction camera is connected through the peripherals CAN (CAN PER) to the vehicle's network architecture. The EVO mono multifunction camera is connected through the suspension FlexRay (Flex E) to the vehicle's network architecture.

Stereo multifunction camera (vehicles with Driving Assistance Package) 

The stereo multifunction camera consists of two high resolution camera heads that are mounted at a distance of approx. 20 cm apart in a housing. The stereo multifunction camera can record the distance to an object and its height above the roadway. This is made possible by the differences in perspective between the left and the right optical path.

The electronic evaluation circuit in the stereo multifunction camera uses the same effect that enables people to have stereoscopic vision, this refers to the parallax or displacement between two images. At an average distance of 20 to 30 m the stereo multifunction camera can determine the exact distance to the object down to 20 to 30 cm. This high resolution is also available under arduous conditions.

• If, for example, several objects are situated very close to each other.
• When objects are partially concealed.
• If the contrast between object and the background is low.

The electronic analysis system of the stereo multifunction camera is also able to differentiate between shadow and road markings and real objects. Along with the spatial position of a detected object, the stereo multifunction camera also provides decisive additional information: For each pixel of a detected object, a direction of motion can be determined on the horizontal, vertical and longitudinal axes (longitudinal axis of an object). This then clearly recognizes whether an object is moving and if so, where to. In combination with object classification (e.g. pedestrian) based on common features, it is possible to achieve a high degree of decision-making reliability. For example, the exact impact location for a collision can be calculated which in turn enables the time remaining until the point of impact to be used to maximum effect for safety precautions. The stereo multifunction camera supports this process over the entire vehicle speed range.

The stereo multifunction camera is connected through the suspension FlexRay to the vehicle's network architecture.

The stereo multifunction camera controls the following functions:

• Traffic sign recognition (vehicles with Traffic Sign Assist)
• Automatic high beam (vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist)
• Active driver assistance systems:
  • Active track guidance
  • Traffic area monitoring

To implement the functions, each multifunction camera processes, e.g. the following information:

• Operating condition for engine/drivetrain
• Terminal status of terminal 15
• Wheel speed
• Vehicle speed
• Acceleration/yaw rate
• Information indicating driver activity, such as turn signaling, accelerating, braking, steering
• Information indicating possible distraction of the driver, such as, e.g.:
  • Operation of audio system
  • Operation of on-board computer/multimedia system
  • Operation of various comfort functions (interior lighting, steering column adjustment)
• Information on brake control system activities (stereo multifunction camera)

The multifunction camera evaluates these input factors and sends, e.g. the following information and requests:

• Ambient brightness
• Lane data
• Object data (object size, object type, object direction of motion, distance) (stereo multifunction camera)
• Requests:
  • Actuate electric power steering actuator motor (vehicles with Lane Keeping Assist)
  • Automatic high beam (vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist)
  • Display traffic signs (vehicles with Traffic Sign Assist)

Structure 

The multifunction camera consists of the following main components:

• Camera head (mono multifunction camera)
• Left and right camera head (stereo multifunction camera)
• Electronic analysis system (control unit)
• Auxiliary heater heating element

Following replacement of the multifunction camera or the windshield, the respective multifunction camera must be recalibrated.