DETROIT, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens VDO Automotive's
innovative driver information displays, navigation and keyless access
solutions featured on the new A8 vehicle are supporting Audi's philosophy of
leadership through technology.
The A8 employs several Siemens VDO Automotive technologies helping to make
it one of Audi's flagships, including a brilliant, clear near-three-
dimensional driver information display integrated into the instrument cluster;
new navigation capabilities with an ergonomic multimedia human-machine
interface (HMI) to access the center console display; the use of a flexible
printed circuit board (PCB) to improve the viewing angles of the instrument
cluster; and, the passive start and entry (PASE) system making it a keyless
vehicle.
Instrument Cluster with Improved TFT Display
Flanked by the engine revolution and speedometer gauges within the A8's
sporty instrument cluster, the thin-film transistor (TFT) displays driver
information on a 320 by 240 pixel field. The technology uses red, green and
blue primary colors, each with its separate transistor, allowing significantly
enhanced color.
This completely new direction in displaying information graphics was
jointly developed with Audi and provides an artificial depth through flowing
color changes and moving shadows, giving them a three-dimensional appearance.
In addition, great efforts have been made to ensure the TFT display
consistently has a high-quality image. Display brightness is continuously
optimized using a phototransistor beneath the front panel and a special
photodiode mounted directly on the printed circuit board to monitor light
intensity fluctuations and adjust brightness accordingly. An automated white
balance optically harmonizes the color scales of the analog and the TFT
displays.
Increased Navigation System Capabilities
The Audi A8 boasts a full megabyte of image data and 35 different
navigation scenarios with turn-off instructions composed from over 300
bitmaps. Several hundred pictograms and moving animations with different
priority warnings can be superimposed on the display and remain permanently
illuminated in the background. Approximately 300 text lines, covering all
vehicle functions, are integrated into the system in seven languages.
Center Console Multimedia Human Machine Interface (HMI)
At the press of a button, the A8 center console displays only pertinent
information, such as important on-board computer, navigation system, radio,
telephone and innovative autonomous cruise control (ACC) data. The various
functions displayed in the middle of the driver's line of sight are selected
through familiar control elements, as well as new multifunction steering wheel
keys and color-coordinated key groups of the new multimedia HMI operating
panel located on the center console.
Flexible Instrument Cluster Circuit Board
Siemens VDO Automotive created greater interior design freedom for Audi by
utilizing an innovative printed circuit board (PCB) production method for
strong driver-oriented instrumentation. The backing material on the rear of
the printed circuit board is thinned to a precisely defined specification,
allowing the whole circuit board to be bent without risk of breaking. Angled
forms within the instrument cluster then can be created without splitting the
circuit board, enabling the large speedometer and engine revolution gauges and
the small fuel and temperature displays to be tilted towards the driver.
A Keyless Vehicle
Further supporting Audi's commitment to leadership through technology,
Siemens VDO Automotive will begin producing a keyless entry system for the A8
this December 2002. This version of the company's passive start and entry
(PASE) innovation utilizes the key FOB as the passive user identification tag
for authorization of hands-free remote keyless entry.
Siemens VDO Automotive's innovative products and technology featured on
the Audi A8, such as high-end instrumentation displays, keyless vehicle and
navigation systems, can be seen on display at the company's exhibit (Booth
#1009) during Convergence 2002 at Cobo Center in Detroit from Oct. 21-23.
Siemens VDO Automotive is a tier-one supplier of automotive
electronic/electrical systems and components with applications covering
gasoline and diesel powertrain systems, safety and chassis systems, body
electronics and interior and infotainment. Worldwide sales reflecting partial
fiscal year 2000/2001 totaled euro 5.7 billion ($5.6 billion).
On Jan. 1, 2002, Siemens Automotive Corp. and VDO North America merged to
form Siemens VDO Automotive Corp. in the United States. For more information,
visit http://www.usa.siemensvdo.com .
Siemens AG (NYSE: SI), headquartered in Munich, is a leading global
electronics and engineering company. It employs more than 484,000 people in
193 countries and reported worldwide sales in excess of euro 87 billion ($85.1
billion) in fiscal 2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01).
The United States is Siemens' largest market, with 77,000 employees and
sales of more than $18.9 billion in fiscal 2001. Siemens is a leading
provider of advanced technology solutions in the information and
communications, medical, power, automation and control, transportation and
lighting sectors, and leverages its global network of innovation and
unparalleled technological heritage to deliver business results for Siemens'
customers around the globe. For more information about Siemens in the U.S.,
go to http://www.usa.siemens.com .
SOURCE Siemens VDO Automotive
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Related links:
http://www.usa.siemensvdo.com
CONTACT:
David Ladd of Siemens VDO Automotive,
+1-248-209-5822, david.ladd@siemens.com
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