Automotive lighting is a crucial aspect of vehicle design that ensures driver safety, comfort, and visibility. The newest automotive lighting solutions, including Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs), and lasers, have been designed to improve these aspects. These lighting solutions provide brighter and better-quality light than traditional incandescent bulbs while also becoming more energy efficient. LED and OLED technology offer exceptional illumination and visibility, making it easier for drivers to see the road and traffic signs in front of them, while laser lights (headlights) provide even greater illumination and visibility.
Automakers are also increasingly using vehicle lighting to differentiate their vehicle brands by creating unique designs and features that are instantly recognizable by customers. By incorporating distinctive lighting elements into their vehicles, automakers aim to create a unique brand identity that sets them apart from their competitors.
One way automakers are using lighting to differentiate their vehicles is by incorporating signature lighting designs into their cars. For example, some automakers use a specific pattern of LED daytime running lights that are unique to their brand and instantly recognizable by customers. These designs are often inspired by the brand's logo and serve as a visual representation of the brand's identity. Another way automakers are using lighting to differentiate their vehicles is by offering customizable lighting options. For example, some vehicles now offer customizable interior lighting that can be adjusted to fit the driver's mood or preference. This allows drivers and passengers to create a unique driving experience that is tailored to their individual tastes and preferences.
Still another way automakers differentiate their vehicles using lighting is by incorporating new technologies, such as laser headlights or OLED lighting, into their cars. Automotive brands like BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche currently use OLED lighting in their vehicles, either as a standard or optional feature, and laser headlights as a premium lighting option.
By offering innovative lighting solutions that are not yet widely available, automakers aim to create a perception of cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking design. These automotive lighting technologies also offer enhanced visibility and safety, which are increasingly important to customers.
In this week’s Tech Tuesday, we look at innovative automotive lighting solutions from ams OSRAM and Maxim Integrated.
The ams OSRAM SYNIOS® P3030 KW DSLP31.CE is a white LED with a luminous flux/radiant flux of 45lm to 71lm and a minimum color rendering index (CRI) of 90. The KW DSLP31.CE delivers an exceptional solution that meets the energy efficiency, weight, and space-saving qualities for the rapidly emerging field of automotive exterior lighting. The KW DSLP31.CE is designed using a colored-diffused silicone resin with a very flat square package. The close-to-center chip layout allows for optimal design flexibility, and its small outline dimensions, especially the height, provide maximum flexibility to accommodate even the tightest of spaces. The compact 3mm × 3mm × 0.65mm SMT LED operates at -40°C to +125°C and is ESD tested at 2kV according to ANSI/ESDA/JEDEC JS-001 (HBM, Class 2). The LED is AEC-Q102 qualified and enables designers to incorporate design, comfort, or safety functions using car-body illumination for a variety of automotive-based lighting applications.
Maxim Integrated MAX25608EVSYS Evaluation System is a demonstration and development platform for the MAX25608 12-Switch LED Matrix Manager. The MAX25608 matrix manager IC is designed for automotive headlight applications and includes a 12-switch array for bypassing individual LEDs in a single- or dual-string application. It features twelve individually controlled n-channel MOSFET switches rated for 14V with an on-resistance of 0.06Ω. A single current source can be used to power all the LEDs connected in series. Individual LEDs can be dimmed by turning on and off the bypass switches across each LED. The device can also be configured in two-string applications with six switches in series per string. Each switch can be connected across one, two, or three LEDs in series. It also allows for parallel connection of two switches to bypass high-current LEDs. The IC also includes an internal charge pump that provides power for the gate drive for the LED bypass switches. The device is AEC-Q100 Qualified, features a Multi-Drop UART Communication Interface, has up to 16 addressable devices, and is compatible with CAN Physical Layer.
Automakers are using vehicle lighting to differentiate their brands by creating unique designs, incorporating new technologies, and offering customizable options. These lighting features help to create a distinctive brand identity and provide customers with a unique driving experience that sets their vehicles apart from the competition. This week’s Tech Tuesday products allow automotive lighting designers to deliver on that enhanced driving experience.
Rudy Ramos brings 35+ years of expertise in advanced electromechanical systems, robotics, pneumatics, vacuum systems, high voltage, semiconductor manufacturing, military hardware, and project management. Rudy has authored technical articles appearing in engineering websites and holds a BS in Technical Management and an MBA with a concentration in Project Management. Prior to Mouser, Rudy worked for National Semiconductor and Texas Instruments..