1)

ECE = for the European market

2)

SAE = for the North American Region

Driver Assistance Systems Control Module J1121 then
switches off the high beam to avoid blinding other road
users. This version of high beam assist can have two states:
“high beam on” or “high beam off”.

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Matrix LED headlights (not available at launch)
The figure shows the ECE1) version
All-weather lights / turning lights

Matrix beam headlights
Daytime running lights /
side lights

High beam

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Low beam

Light functions:
››
››
››
››

Daytime running lights.
Side lights.
Low beam.
Matrix beam headlights.

››
››
››
››

Daytime running lights /
side lights /
turn signals

All-weather lights.
Turning lights.
Dynamic turn signal function.
Side marker light (SAE2) not shown).

Special features of the light functions
With the light switch in the "AUTO" position, the daytime
running lights and the side lights are not active until the
vehicle is travelling at a speed of greater than 6.2 mph (10
km/h). In the ECE1) version the daytime running lights and
the side lights are switched off for the duration of the turn
signalling cycle. In the SAE2) version only the daytime
running lights are deactivated, but the side lights stay
switched on.

90

Service

Equipment

The control modules attached to the exterior of the headlight housing, the fan and the power module for matrix
headlights can be replaced in the event of a fault. Because
the power module for matrix headlights is integrated in the
headlight, ESD workstation VAS 6613 must be used when
replacing the module. It is not possible to replace individual lamps.

Audi A8 with matrix LED headlights are equipped as standard with a headlight washer system.

Activation of the matrix LED headlights

Schematic diagram of the left headlight

Low beam
Matrix beam headlights

Left LED Headlamp Power
Output Module 1
A31

Left Light Control Module
J1018

Daytime running lights
Side lights

All-weather lights

Side marker light (SAE2))

Turning lights

Dynamic
turn signals

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Comfort/convenience
systems CAN 2

Vehicle Electrical System
Control Module
J519

Driver Assistance Systems
Control Module
J1121

Driver Assistance Systems
Front Camera
R242

FlexRay

Sub-bus (private CAN)

LVDS

LIN

Activation
The light functions in the matrix LED headlights are similar
to those of the LED headlights.

Left/Right Light Control Modules J1018/J1019 additionally
have a LIN connection.

Left and Right LED Headlamp Power Output Modules 1
A31/A27 are now also responsible for activating the
matrix beam headlights and the turning lights.

The dynamic turn signals are activated via this data connection.

High beam assist
The high beam assist function of the matrix LED headlights
can not only have the states "high beam on" and "high
beam off", it can also adjust the luminosity of the individual
LEDs.

1)

ECE = for the European market

2)

SAE = for the North American Region

This allows it respond exactly to oncoming traffic and
preceding vehicle, and so avoid blinding other road users.

Note
The harware for matrix LED headlights is installed in the 2019 A8L. However, at a future date pending government approval
the matrix headlights will be activated via software (SVM).
Reference
For further information about the matrix LED high beam assist function, refer to eSelf-Study Program 990393, The 2019
Audi A8 Driver Assistance Systems.
91

Matrix LED headlights with laser lights (S8 only)
The figure shows the ECE1) version
Laser lights
All-weather lights /
turning lights

Matrix beam headlights
Daytime running lights /
side lights

Background lights

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High beam

Low beam

Light functions:
››
››
››
››
››

Daytime running lights.
Side lights.
Background lights.
Low beam.
Matrix beam headlights.

››
››
››
››
››

Daytime running lights /
side lights /
turn signals

Laser lights.
All-weather lights.
Turning lights.
Dynamic turn signal function.
Side marker light (SAE2) not shown).

Special features of the light functions

92

With the light switch in the "AUTO" position, the daytime
running lights, side lights and background lights are not
active until the vehicle is travelling at a speed of greater
than 6.2 mph (10 km/h). In the ECE1) version the daytime
running lights and the side lights are switched off for the
duration of the turn signalling cycle. In the SAE2) version
only the daytime running lights are deactivated during the
turn signalling cycle, but the side lights stay switched on.

The blue background lights in the ECE1) version are operated together with the daytime running lights and the side
lights, but remain switched off during the turn signalling
cycle. In the SAE2 version, the background lights are always
active together with the daytime running lights, but they
remain switched off during the turn signalling cycle, like in
the ECE1) version.

Service

Equipment

The control modules attached to the exterior of the headlight housing, the fan and the power module for matrix
headlights can be replaced in the event of a fault. As the
power module for matrix headlights is integrated in the
headlight, ESD workstation VAS 6613 must be used when
replacing the module. It is not possible to replace individual lamps.

The Audi A8 with matrix LED headlights is equipped as
standard with a headlight washer system.

Activation of the matrix LED headlights with laser lights

Schematic diagram of the left headlight

Low beam
Matrix beam headlights

Left LED Headlamp Power
Output Module 1
A31

Left Light Control Module
J1018

Daytime running lights
Side lights

All-weather lights

Side marker light (SAE2))

Turning lights

Dynamic
turn signals

Laser lights

Comfort/convenience
systems CAN 2

Vehicle Electrical System
Control Module
J519

Driver Assistance Systems
Control Module
J1121

Driver Assistance Systems
Front Camera
R242

FlexRay

Sub-bus (private CAN)

LVDS

LIN

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Activation

High beam assist

The light functions are activated in the same way as the
matrix LED headlights. Left/Right LED Headlamp Power
Output Modules 1 A31/A27 additionally have a LIN connection. The laser light module is activated via this connection.

The functions are the same as those of the matrix LED
headlights. Only the laser lights have been added.

1)

ECE = for the European market

2)

SAE = for the North American Region

93

Matrix beam
General description
The matrix beam is a light function which allows the vehicle
to drive with a permanent high beam without the risk of
blinding oncoming traffic or any preceding vehicles. Unlike
the Dynamic Light Assist dynamic high beam control
system, this system has no mechanical parts. A camera
detects preceding vehicles and oncoming traffic and cuts
them out of the high beam in a fraction of a second by
deactivating or dimming individual LEDs in the matrix. The
use of the matrix technology now makes it possible to open
multiple tunnels at the same time.

While these ares are "blocked out", the high beam illuminates all the areas between the vehicles and to the left and
right of them. When the vehicle is no longer in the driver's
field of view, the system returns to full high beam. In
addition to blocking out other vehicles, the light cone of
the matrix beam adapts to the driving situation, for
example, when cornering. In this case, the intensity of the
light cone is adjusted at the side or focused on the center
of the lane by activating different LEDs. This improves
visibility for the driver without the risk of blinding oncoming traffic.

Camera has detected a preceding vehicle

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Camera has detected an oncoming vehicle

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94

Matrix Beam 2.0*
General description
In Matrix Beam 2.0 the LEDs are arranged in multiple rows:
two rows of 16 LEDs, one above the other. The LEDs in both
rows can be activated independently of one another, allowing a more precise response to the traffic situation.

LED module for matrix beam
headlights

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Upper LED row of 16 LEDs

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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lower LED row of 16 LEDs

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Scenario 1:
Both vehicles are driving at the same level
This situation shows how the matrix beam headlights
respond to the preceding vehicle. To avoid blinding the
other road user, the LEDs must be deactivated within the
area of the preceding vehicle. As both vehicles are at the
same level, the LEDs in both the upper and low rows have
to be deactivated or dimmed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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*Not available at launch
95

Scenario 2:
Preceding vehicle is travelling uphill

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

In this situation the preceding vehicle is travelling uphill. To
avoid blinding the other road user, the upper row of LEDs
has to be deactivated, but the LEDs in the lower row can be
switched on again to illuminate the road. This not only
avoids blinding the other road user, it also allows the road
to be well illuminated again. The driver does not have to
wait until the preceding vehicle is no longer within the
range of the high beam where there is a risk of blinding.
This scenario also applies to an oncoming vehicle.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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Calibrating Matrix Beam 2.0
The following service work always requires calibrating the matrix headlights:
›› Adjusting the position of a headlight (removal and installation, removing the
fastening screws).
›› Adjusting the headlights.
›› Replacing the Driver Assistance Systems Control Module J1121.
›› A relevant DTC is recorded.

Measuring the reference segment
The calibration procedure begins with measuring the reference segment using headlight adjustment unit
VAS 621 001. Due to the fact that Matrix Beam 2.0 contains two rows of LEDs, not only the horizontal deviation
but also the vertical deviation of the reference segment
must be determined during the calibration procedure.
The deviation values are then transfered to Driver Assistance Systems Control Module J1121 using the VAS Scan
Tool. The yellow lines in the diagram show the edges at
which the reference segment is measured. In this example
a vertical deviation of -19 minutes and a horizontal deviation of -26 minutes have been determined.

The illustration shows the reference segment of the left matrix LED
headlight
V

V: -19´
H: -26´

H

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96

Laser lights (S8)
General description
The laser lights are used in the 2019 A8 as an auxiliary high
beam supplementing the LED high beam. The laser spot
complements the LED high beam when the vehicle is travelling at speed of 43.4 mph (70 km/h) or higher, doubling
the range of the high beam.
Low beam

The laser spot mainly illuminates the lane in which the
vehicle is driving. The LED high beam is controlled by headlight assist. The laser lights are activated approximately
one second after the LED high beam is activated.

Laser lights

LED high beam

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Activation of the laser lights

Displays in the instrument cluster

The laser lights are activated if the following conditions
apply:

The following symbol in the instrument cluster indicates
when high beam assist is active:

›› Light switch in "Auto" position and low beam switched
on.
›› High beam assist has been enabled in the MMI.
›› Laser lights have been enabled in the MMI.
›› High beam assist has been activated with the high beam
stalk.
›› The vehicle is travelling at a speed of greater than 43.4
mph (70 km/h) and no vehicle has been detected within
the illuminated area.
For legal reasons, the laser lights may only be used when
travelling at speeds of over 43.4 mph (70 km/h) and in
combination with high beam assist. When the camera
detects an oncoming vehicle or a preceding vehicle, the
laser lights are switched off immediately. When high beam
is activated manually, the laser lights are permanently off.

AUTO
If all conditions apply, the following display appears when
the laser lights are active:

AUTO
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Service
It is not possible to activate the laser lights in the shop for
safety reasons. The functioning of the laser lights can only
be tested during a test drive.

97

Tail lights
General description
The Audi A8 has three tail lights: a tail light on the left side
section, a tail light in the side section and a light strip
extending across the full width of the trunk lid.
Left Tail Lamp
MX3

Only LEDs are used as light sources. The tail lights are
activated by Comfort System Central Control Module J393.

Center Tail Lamp
MX13

Right Tail Lamp
MX4

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Versions
A distinction is made between tail light versions:
›› LED tail light with dynamic turn signal function PR no. 8SP.
›› LED tail light with dynamic turn signal function and organic LEDs PR no. 8SC.

Tail lights 8SP
Both of these tail light versions are identical geometrically
and in design.

Both versions are activated by Comfort System Central
Control Module J393 via discrete wiring.

However, the 8SP version has a dynamic turn signal function.

Tail lights 8SP

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98

Tail lights 8SC
The 8SC tail lights differ from one another both in terms of
their design and inner workings. In addition to conventional LEDs for the tail light and brake light functions, they
have organic LEDs or what are known as OLEDs.

These tail lights also have a dynamic turn signal function.
In addition, the OLEDs are activated in a staggered fashion
for the coming/leaving home function. Here, the tail light
OLEDs are activated from the center outwards in a staggered fashion by Comfort System Central Control Module
J393 via a LIN data cable.

Tail lights 8SP

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OLED
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) is a light-emitting
diode (LED) in which the emissive electroluminescent layer
is a film of organic compound that emits light in response
to an electric current.

OLEDs are large-area light sources, while LEDs are spot
light sources. In this respect, both technologies are