BMW Night Vision: Introduction

Option 611 "BMW Night Vision" is available for the first time in the BMW 7-Series from 10/2005.

BMW Night Vision is a driver support system providing assistance in night vision.

BMW Night Vision aims to enhance active safety in darkness. In this way it augments the main-beam assistant and the adaptive headlights. BMW Night Vision makes it possible to look further ahead at night and in twilight conditions.

With a range of up to 300 meters, objects are detected very early. The system's range depends on weather conditions.

BMW Night Vision works using "long-range infrared". In contrast, other automobile manufacturers use "short-range infrared".

Studies have shown that "long-range infrared" best satisfies the following requirement: Early detection of persons and objects on the display in darkness.

BMW Night Vision is a passive system without  active infrared lighting. This means that no additional headlights are needed.

The night-vision camera generates an abstract but clearly more symbolical black-and-white image. The selection of a passive system was a strategic decision by BMW.

Additional functions such as zoom and panning increase comfort.

• E60, E61, E63, E64 from 03/2006
• E65, E66

Vehicles with rear entertainment system: No provision is made for BMW Night Vision on the rear display.

BMW Night Vision offers the following customer benefits: 

• Improved vision in twilight and darkness
• Display not dazzled by the headlights of oncoming vehicles
• Pronounced highlighting of persons, animals and warm objects
• Greater overview of driving situation due to display of course of road beyond that illuminated by headlights
• Magnified image of distant objects when driving fast through zoom function
• Improved recognition of objects on bends in the road through horizontally adjustable image section
• Enhanced personal safety on dark driveways and garage entrances through display of living creatures

Brief description of components 

The following BMW Night Vision components are described:

• Night-vision camera 

  The night-vision camera is located at the front left in the bumper.

  The night-vision camera is a "heat detector camera".

  An image sensor in the night-vision camera picks up infrared radiation emitted by objects.

  Software processes the signals in into a visible image on the Control Display or Central Information Display. The night-vision camera transmits analogue video signals to the night-vision electronics through 2 wires.

  The night-vision camera is connected to the night-vision electronics by a LIN bus.

• Night-vision electronics 

  The night-vision electronics form the actual control unit for the system. The night-vision electronics convert the image signals from the night-vision camera into an FBAS signal (Composite Video Burst Synchronization).

  • E60, E61, E63, E64 - Depending on the equipment fitted, the FBAS wire is connected to the Car Communication Computer or the video module.
  • E65, E66: Depending on the equipment fitted, the FBAS wire is connected to the navigation system or the video module.

  The night-vision electronics activate the power supply for the night-vision camera.

• Button for BMW Night Vision 

  The button for BMW Night Vision is used to switch the system on and off. The button is located next to the light switch.

  • E60, E61, E63, E64

  On vehicles with iDrive, the system can also be switched on and off with one of the programmable buttons on the steering wheel.

  BMW Night Vision can also be activated using the voice recognition system (SVS).

The following control units are involved in BMW Night Vision:

• Display 
  • E60, E61, E63, E64: Central Information Display (CID)

  The image recorded by the night-vision camera appears on the Central Information Display (black-and-white image).

  • E65, E66: Control display (CD)

  The image recorded by the night-vision camera appears on the Control Display (black-and-white image). The scale of the display is computed by the Control Display: split screen display <-> full screen display.

  A menu for BMW Night Vision can be called up on the Display. Personal settings can be made in this menu.

• CCC: Car Communication Computer 
  • E60, E61, E63, E64

  The scale of the image on the Central Information Display is calculated by the Car Communication Computer: split screen display <-> full screen display.

• NAV: Navigation system 
  • E60, E61, E63, E64

  If no video module is fitted, the FBAS wire from the Night-Vision electronics is connected to the Car Communication Computer. The Car Communication Computer then transmits the image signals to the Central Information Display via an LVDS data wire.

  • E65, E66

  If the vehicle does not have a video module, or does have a rear entertainment system, the FBAS wire from the night-vision electronics will be connected to the navigation system. In such cases, the navigation system will transmit the image signals to the Control Display via an RGB wire.

• VM: Video module 

  On vehicles with television, the FBAS wire from the night-vision electronics is connected to the video module.

  • E60, E61, E63, E64 (EURO version)

  The video module transmits the image signals to the Car Communication Computer (CCC) via an FBAS wire.

  • E60, E61, E63, E64 (Japan version)

  The video module transmits the image signals to the Car Communication Computer (CCC) via an RGB wire.

  • E65, E66

  The video module transmits the image signals to the Control Display (CD) via an RGB wire.

  • E65, E66 (US version)

  The video switch supersedes the video module.

• DSC: Dynamic Stability Control 

  The DSC control unit transmits the following signals through the PT-CAN:

  • Vehicle road speed
  • Steering angle
  • Yaw rate

  The night-vision electronics needs these signals, for example for the zoom function and to pan an image section.

• LM: Light module 
  • E60, E61, E63, E64

  The light module transmits a message through the K-CAN as to whether or not the driving lights are switched on.

  • E65, E66

  The light module transmits a message through the K-CAN SYSTEM as to whether or not the driving lights are switched on.

  On vehicles with Night Vision, the load status is also transmitted to the night-vision electronics. The light module calculates the load status from the ride-height sensor signals.

• RLS: Rain-light sensor 

  The rain-light sensor detects the brightness of the ambient light and precipitation.

  • E60, E61, E63, E64

  The rain-light sensor transmits its signals to the night-vision electronics via the K-CAN.

  • E65, E66

  The rain-light sensor transmits its signals to the night-vision electronics via the K-CAN SYSTEM.