Nichia and Infineon have teamed up to introduce the µPLS, a revolutionary new lighting solution for the automotive industry. The µPLS, or micro-Pixelated Light Solution, boasts an impressive 16,384 pixel micro-LED array, providing a field-of-view that is four times wider than any other current micro-mirror based HD matrix-light solution on the market. In addition to its expansive field-of-view, the µPLS also offers significantly higher light output than its competitors, making it an ideal choice for illuminating potential hazards on the road and projecting markings to guide drivers through construction sites or intersections.
One of the key features of the µPLS is its ability to deliver high-definition resolution with industry-leading light output. This is made possible through the use of Nichia’s micro-LED technology and an integrated LED driver IC from Infineon. The driver IC is capable of individually modulating each of the 16,384 micro-LEDs using pulse-width modulation (PWM) control, allowing for precise and smooth operation of functions such as the glare-free high beam and bending light. The driver IC also includes on-chip temperature monitoring, which enables optimal thermal control, and integrated video interfaces for high-speed transmission of the video signal from the light pattern generator unit.
“The new 16,384 pixel µPLS micro-Pixelated Light Solution is our latest addition to Nichia’s portfolio of high-class automotive lighting solutions. It combines high-definition resolution with the industry’s highest light output, by providing four-times wider field-of-view with significantly higher light output than any other current micro-mirror based HD matrix-light solution. For this reason, the advanced HD light can warn drivers of hazards by highlighting people or objects on or by the side of the road. It can also project markings on the road to guide the driver through a construction site or intersection. In addition, functions such as the glare-free high beam or bending light work more precisely and smoothly compared to current adaptive driving beam solutions. This takes the driver’s road safety and driving comfort to a new level.”
Says Nichia’s Yusuke Yamazaki.
Unlike other HD matrix solutions on the market, the Infineon driver IC in the µPLS only activates the LEDs that are actually needed for a given light pattern. This not only increases the energy efficiency of the light engine, but it also allows for smaller and slimmer headlamp designs in the future. The advanced HD light engine also offers the ability to make digitally programmed adjustments at the factory or on demand by the vehicle manufacturer or driver. This means that the different requirements of left- and right-handed drivers can be taken into account, making the µPLS a highly user-friendly solution.
“The µPLS is industry’s first fully integrated matrix LED driver capable of driving 16,384 LEDs, combining all required micro-LED driver circuitry with extensive diagnostics and high-speed video and control interfaces.We enable the vision of our customers to deploy fully digital light on the road, saving them overall system cost at a very small form factor at the size of a single semiconductor chip. The µPLS is another great example of how Infineon products support digitalization as well as decarbonization towards a net-zero society.”
Says Infineon’s Andreas Doll
