The Liquid Crystal HD technology developed by Hella enables fully adaptive light distribution in real time

Liquid Crystal HD Technology

Liquid crystal display technology, better known as LCD, is already used in various entertainment devices, but HELLA has developed and built a headlamp based on this technology in collaboration with the project partners Merck, the Institute for Large-Scale Microelectronics IGM, the University of Stuttgart, Porsche, Elmos Semiconductor, Schweizer Electronic and the University of Paderborn.

For the first time, Liquid Crystal HD technology has been integrated into a vehicle with good results. The new LCD headlamp projects 30,000 pixels onto the road, which makes it possible to adjust the light pattern intelligently and continuously to the various driving situations in real time. The driver will get the best possible view of the road.

The LCD panel is the main element of this new headlamp. It is located between the LED light source and the projection lens. This generates a matrix of 100 x 300 pixels that can be individually controlled and dimmed. Information about the surroundings is sent to the headlamp control unit via a processor. This information is collected in advance by a camera and also by a sensor that optically reads distances and speeds (light detection and LiDAR range sensor).

As light source it uses 25 LEDs arranged in three rows. The luminous intensity of each LED will be adjusted to the corresponding lighting situation. In its development, Hella has achieved high system efficiency and a thermal concept that ensures the module’s suitability for automotive use. The requirements of the car manufacturer Porsche and of the Institute of Lighting Technology and Mechatronics Research of the University of Paderborn (L-LAB) served as the basis.

Thanks to the collaboration of several companies, this project could be carried out. Merck was in charge of developing a special liquid crystal, IGM at the University of Stuttgart developed and built prototype displays with that crystal, Elmos Semiconductor designed and built innovative electronic semiconductor components, which Schweizer Electronic incorporated into the PCB in a completely new way (“embedded”).

The resulting prototype is integrated into a Porsche Panamera and is currently being tested under realistic driving conditions at the University of Paderborn. LCD technology enables entirely new functionalities and opportunities. And its use is not limited to passenger cars: other vehicle categories, such as commercial vehicles or buses, also offer significant areas of application.

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Source | HELLA