Service Training

Self-study Programme 407

Reversing Camera System

Design and Function

 Driver assist systems are developed to relieve the One example is the reversing camera system from
burden on drivers due to the increasingly dense traffic Volkswagen. It supports the driver when manoeuvring
and the flood of information they have to deal with. backwards and reversing into parking spaces.
These aids support drivers in certain traffic situations
or take over driving procedures either completely or
partly.

S407_001

NEW Important
Note

The self-study programme shows the design and For current testing, adjustment and repair
function of new developments. instructions, refer to the relevant
The contents will not be updated. service literature.

2
Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

How Reversing Camera Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Functional Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Test Yourself . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

3
 Introduction

Reversing Camera System

The reversing camera system assists the driver while The system is activated when terminal 15 is ON and/
reversing by showing the driver what is behind the or the engine is running by selecting reverse gear on
vehicle on a screen. vehicles with manual gearbox or by selecting “R” on
vehicles with automatic gearbox.

S407_002

The reversing camera system cannot replace the driver’s judgement.

The driver is still legally responsible for their vehicle.

4
System requirements

Equipping a vehicle with the reversing camera system has the following technical requirements:
- reversing camera,
- reversing camera system control unit and
- display screen (e.g. radio or radio/navigation system with video output).

Reversing camera

Used for visualisation of area behind the vehicle.

S407_003

Reversing camera system control unit

Processes the picture from the reversing camera and

transmits it to the screen if the defined requirements
are met.

S407_004

Display screen
(e.g. radio or radio/navigation system with video
output)

Shows the picture processed by the reversing camera

system control unit on the display screen.

S407_005

5
 Design

Overview of system components and their locations

Volkswagen’s reversing camera system was introduced with

the 2007 Touareg. The illustration opposite provides an
overview of the locations of the components that are
required for use of the reversing camera system.

The reversing camera R189 and the reversing camera system

control unit J772 together with the control unit with display
for radio and navigation J503 form the main components of
this system.

Steering angle sender G85

Reversing camera R189

in rear lid handle

6
 Control unit with display for radio and
navigation J503 in dash panel

Reversing camera system control unit J772

TV tuner R78

S407_006

7
 Design

System schematics

R189 J772

R78
J503
J533

U10
F4*

J217* J345

G44-47

F4

J519
J104

G85

J393 F256

E2 J527

S407_007

8
The reversing camera system function is achieved through the interaction of different vehicle subsystems via the
CAN data bus system.

E2 Turn signal switch J345 Trailer detector control unit

F4 Reversing light switch J393 Convenience system central control unit

F256 Rear lid lock unit J503 Control unit with display for radio and
navigation
G44 Rear right speed sensor
J519 Onboard supply control unit
G45 Front right speed sensor
J527 Steering column electronics control unit
G46 Rear left speed sensor
J533 Data bus diagnostic interface
G47 Front left speed sensor
J772 Reversing camera system control unit
G85 Steering angle sender
R78 TV tuner
J104 ABS control unit
R189 Reversing camera
J217 Automatic gearbox control unit*
U10 Trailer socket

* Only vehicles with automatic gearbox

Powertrain CAN data bus

Convenience CAN data bus

Infotainment CAN data bus

Sensor, input signal

Actuator, output signal

Data bus line

9
 Design

System components

Reversing camera
Reversing camera

The reversing camera is a wide-angle camera that

Volkswagen have managed to build into the rear lid handle
thanks to its compact design. The camera covers the area
behind the vehicle. The picture is extremely distorted due to
the lens opening angle that is 130° horizontal and 100° 100°
vertical and first needs to be corrected by the reversing
camera system control unit.

130°

S407_008

The processor (with integrated chip) mirrors the captured Video signal Processor
image. Mirroring is necessary so that the left-hand side of Screening
the vehicle is shown on the left of the display screen. The
picture is converted into electrical signals and transmitted to
the reversing camera system control unit. The reversing
camera is connected to the reversing camera system control
unit via three cables (power supply, earth cable and video
signal with integrated screening). Earth cable

Voltage supply Lens

S407_009

Steering angle sender

The steering angle of the steering wheel is determined via

the steering angle sender. The reversing camera system
control unit generates dynamic helper lines and integrates
them in the camera picture on the basis of this information.
They move in the same direction and in sync with the steering
wheel. If the steering angle sender is not adapted, helper
lines will not be displayed and a fault memory entry will be
stored in the control unit.

S407_010

10
Reversing camera system control unit Before processing by the reversing camera system control
unit
The reversing camera system control unit has the task
of processing the images supplied by the camera and
preparing them for output on the display screen. This
includes rectifying the supplied image and adding the
helper lines. The reversing camera system control unit
displays the respective static and dynamic helper lines
depending on the selected parking mode. If the
reversing camera system is activated, the reversing
camera system supplies power to the reversing
camera and switches it on. The reversing camera
system control unit has two video inputs to which the
TV tuner (optional) and reversing camera are S407_011
connected. If required, the camera image or the TV After processing by the reversing camera system control unit
picture is automatically transmitted to the radio/
navigation system display screen via a video switch
integrated in the reversing camera system control unit.

S407_012

Control unit with display unit for radio and navigation

The camera image is shown on the radio/navigation system display screen with the static and dynamic helper lines.
The required parking mode can be selected using the control buttons. It is also possible to adjust the colour, contrast
and brightness or switch off the picture.

11
 How Reversing Camera System Works

Parking modes

The reversing camera system from Volkswagen has two different parking modes (parking mode 1 and parking
mode 2) that can be selected depending on the parking situation.

Parking mode 1

This parking mode is suitable for reversing into parking spaces or reversing manoeuvres in narrow streets or
garage entries. The green static helper lines show the vehicle outline lengthened by 2 metres and widened by
approx. 25cm on the left and right. The red static helper line shows a distance of 0.4m. The yellow dynamic helper
lines show the current steering angle and are placed at a distance of 1m.

3m

0.4m 1m 2m

S407_013

Static helper line (0.4m behind the vehicle)

Static helper lines (vehicle outline widened by 25cm on the left and right)
Dynamic helper lines (current steering angle, from steering wheel)

S407_034

12
In the following section, a parking procedure with parking mode 1 is shown.

The reversing camera system is activated by selecting reverse

gear or “R” gear. The picture from the reversing camera is
shown on the display screen with the helper lines for this
parking mode. The current steering angle is shown by the
yellow dynamic helper lines on the screen.

S407_014

The steering angle should be corrected by turning the

steering wheel until you can drive into the parking space. The
vehicle should be reversed slowly. You need to check the
steering angle and correct it, if necessary.

S407_015

Manoeuvre the vehicle until the green static helper line is

parallel to the parking space markings (dotted line).

S407_016

Correct the steering angle until the yellow dynamic helper

lines cover the green static helper lines (straight ahead). You
can now reverse the vehicle to the final parking position.

S407_017

13
 How Reversing Camera System Works

Parking mode 2

This parking mode is suitable for reversing into parking spaces parallel to the kerb. You can use the yellow helper
lines to check whether a parking space is large enough for the vehicle. The helper areas are shown on the left and
right. You select the side with the turn signal.

S407_018
Static helper line (0.4m behind the vehicle)
Static helper line (determination of steering point), right-hand parking space
Static helper line (determination of steering point), left-hand parking space

Static helper field (determination of target parking space), on right

Static helper field (determination of target parking space), on left

S407_033

The reversing camera system is always activated in parking mode 1. Parking mode 2 needs to be selected manually.

The method for switching from parking mode 1 to parking mode 2 depends on the model and is
described in the owners manual.

14
In the following section, a parking procedure with parking mode 2 is shown.

After selecting parking mode 2, two static helper fields

appear on the radio/navigation system display screen
with the related helper lines. The helper fields are 6.7m
long regardless of the vehicle type and indicate the
space that is required for the parking procedure.

S407_019

The helper field that is not required together with the

related static helper lines is hidden when you set the turn
signal. The vehicle should be positioned as normal and
reversed until the helper field is against the vehicle
behind the parking space.

S407_020

The steering wheel should be turned fully towards the

selected parking space while the vehicle is stationary.
The vehicle should be reversed until the yellow static
helper line touches the kerb (steering point).

S407_021

The steering wheel should be turned fully in the opposite

direction while the vehicle is stationary. The vehicle
should then be reversed until it is parallel with the kerb.
Turn the wheels to the straight ahead position to move
into the final parking position.

S407_022

15
 How Reversing Camera System Works

Trailer operation

When a trailer is attached and the rear lid is open no helper lines are shown on the display screen. This function is
deactivated by the reversing camera system control unit as soon as a trailer is detected by the trailer detector
control unit. The reversing camera system can be used to support manoeuvres when a trailer is attached. The
movement of the tow bar can be followed on the display screen. It is useful when you are hitching a trailer as you
can see the ball of the tow coupling on the display screen.

System limitations

The camera picture is reproduced slightly delayed and not in real-time due to processing in the reversing camera
system control unit. As the display is two-dimensional, protruding, pointed obstacles are hard to depict and thus
very difficult to recognise.

Safety information
A
The red static helper line (A), marks a distance of
40cm from the rear of the vehicle to the floor. This
distance (red arrow) is reduced when obstacles have
an overhang (e.g. high vehicles with protruding
bumper)
< 40cm

40cm

S407_023

The reversing camera system serves as a support system. It cannot replace looking in the exterior and
interior mirrors.

16
Switching on conditions

The following conditions need to be met before the reversing camera system is used:

Terminal 15 ON and/or engine running

Reverse gear or “R” selected

Speed below 15km/h

S407_024

Switching off conditions

The reversing camera system is switched off under the following conditions:

Terminal 15 OFF

or 10 seconds after deselecting reverse gear or “R”

or by switching off manually on the display screen

or at speeds above 15km/h.

If reverse gear or “R” is selected, only the display screen will be switched
off. The picture will appear again when the speed falls below 10km/h
again.

S407_025

17
 Functional Diagram

R78 J533

J772

R189 J503

S407_026

18
J503 Control unit with display for radio and navigation

J533 Data bus diagnostic interface

J772 Reversing camera system control unit

R78 TV tuner

R189 Reversing camera

S Fuse

Input signal
Output signal
Positive
Earth
CAN data bus

19
 Service

Diagnosis

The VAS 5051 vehicle diagnosis, measuring and

information system and the VAS 5052 vehicle
diagnosis and service information system can be used
for the reversing camera system.
S407_028

S407_027 S407_029

The following work can be carried out with the diagnosis testers:

- Reading data blocks

- Reading the reversing camera system control unit code and re-coding it
- Calibrating the reversing camera system

Please refer to the workshop manuals for detailed information on the diagnosis possibilities for the
reversing camera system.

20
Calibration

The reversing camera system requires calibration so that the picture from the reversing camera is replicated
correctly.

S407_030

The reversing camera system needs calibration after the following work procedures among others:

l Removal/fitting or replacement of the rear lid handle

l Removal/fitting or replacement of reversing camera
l Replacement of the reversing camera system control unit

For more detailed information on further conditions and calibration of the reversing camera system,
please refer to the workshop manuals.

21
 Service

Fitting/removal

The reversing camera is integrated in the rear lid

handle. It can be replaced separately, however. The
reversing camera system should be calibrated after
the handle or reversing camera is removed or
replaced.

Opening handle

Reversing camera

S407_031

For more detailed information on removal of the reversing camera and calibration of the reversing
camera system, please refer to the workshop manuals.

Cleaning/care

The reversing camera lens has a dirt-resistant coating. Despite this dirt cannot be ruled out because of weather
conditions. This should be removed by the driver. Dirt on the reversing camera lens results in poor picture quality
and is not detected by the reversing camera system control unit.

You can use normal commercially available alcohol-based glass cleaners and dry, lint-free cloths to
clean the lens.

22
 Test Yourself

Which answers are correct?

One or several of the answers could be correct.

1. Which statements about the reversing camera system control unit are correct?

a) The reversing camera system control unit only works in conjunction with the TV tuner.

b) The reversing camera system control unit provides the voltage supply for the reversing camera.

c) The reversing camera system control unit calibrates itself automatically.

d) The reversing camera system control unit rectifies the reversing camera picture and adds the static and
dynamic helper lines.

2. When is the reversing camera activated?

a) When terminal 15 is ON and/or the engine is running and reverse gear is selected.

b) As soon as a trailer is detected.

c) At speeds below 25 km/h.

3. Complete this sentence:

If the steering angle sensor is not adapted...

a) ...no picture is transmitted by the reversing camera.

b) ...the functioning of the reversing camera system is not impaired.

c) ...the picture from the reversing camera is transmitted without helper lines.

1. b), d); 2. a); 3. c)

Answers

23
 407

© VOLKSWAGEN AG, Wolfsburg

All rights and rights to make technical alterations reserved.
000.2812.07.20 Technical status 10.2007

Volkswagen AG
Service Training VSQ-1
Brieffach 1995
38436 Wolfsburg

` This paper was manufactured from pulp that was bleached without the use of chlorine.