Component description for COMAND controller unit

P82.87-5593-05

Shown with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive (with navigation), except code (498) Japan version

A40/3 COMAND control unit

A40/8 Audio/COMAND display

X39/45 AUX jack electrical connector (without code (518) Media Interface)

Location

The COMAND controller unit is integrated into the center console at the front center.

Task

The COMAND controller unit fulfills the following tasks:

 Central operating unit for the entertainment and communication systems integrated into the vehicle

 Reading in the controls and input signals

 Evaluation of input factors

 Activation of output media and system components

Central operating unit for the entertainment and communication systems integrated into the vehicle

The COMAND controller unit provides the user with a structured and uniform interface for the following system components:

- Video

- DVD

- TV (with code (863) Digital/analog TV tuner or
with code (865) TV tuner)

- Telephony

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- Audio

- Radio

- CD/DVD audio

- Memory card

- AUX connection electrical connector for external audio equipment (except code (518) Media Interface)

- USB electrical connector (X115) (as of 1.7.2011)

- Media interface for external mass storage devices or audio equipment (with code (518) Media interface)

- With code (512) COMAND APS with DVD changer or
with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive
(with navigation):

- Navigation (map navigation with data from internal hard disk)

- Voice control system (VCS [SBS])

- "Music Register"

- Internet (as of 1.7.2011 except code (494) USA version)

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Reading in the controls and input signals

The input factors are read in via the following connections:

 CAN

 Media Oriented System Transport (MOST)

 Direct line

 RS-232C interface (with code (498) Japan version

CAN

The COMAND controller unit uses the telematics CAN (CAN A) and the interior CAN (CAN B).

The functions resulting therefrom are described in the corresponding function descriptions (see block diagram or function schematic).

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Media Oriented System Transport (MOST)

The COMAND controller unit receives audio signals from the following control units via MOST:

- Digital TV tuner (A90/3)
(with code (865) TV tuner) or
TV tuner (analog/digital) (A90/1)
(with code (863) Digital/analog TV tuner)

- Digital Audio Broadcasting control unit (DAB) (N87/3)
(with code (537) Digital radio)

- Satellite Digital Audio Radio (SDAR) control unit (N87/5)
(with code (536) SIRIUS satellite radio)

- Media interface control unit (N125/1)
(with code (518) Media interface)

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Direct line

The COMAND controller unit reads in the following signals over direct lines:

- AM and FM-1 signals from the FM 1, AM, CL [ZV] and KEYLESS-GO antenna amplifier (A2/18)

- FM 2 signals from FM 2 and DAB antenna amplifier (A2/19)

- Audio signals from Bluetooth antenna (A2/91)

- Global Positioning System (GPS) signals from multifunction antenna (A28/11) (with code (512) COMAND APS with DVD changer or with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive (with navigation)), with code (359) TELEAID emergency call system over the Global Positioning System antenna splitter (A2/5)

- Signals from hands-free system microphone (A67b1), for telephony and VCS (with code (512) COMAND APS with DVD changer or with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive (with navigation))

- Video signals over a Y/C line from the media interface electrical connector (X18/70)
(with code (518) Media interface)

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- Video signals for TV over Y-brightness (luminance)/C-color information (chrominance) (Y/C) line from the TV tuner (analog/digital) (A90/1) (with code (863) Digital/analog TV tuner) or from Digital TV tuner (A90/3)
(with code (865) TV tuner)

- Picture signals for Night View Assist over Y line from Night View Assist control unit (N101)
(with code (610) Night View Assist)

- Color video baseband signal (CVBS) from:

- Reversing camera power supply module (N66/10)
(with code (218) Reversing camera, except code (498)
Japan version)

- Reversing camera control unit (N66/2) (with code (218) Reversing camera and code (498) Japan version)

- Diagnosis data from COMAND fan motor (M4/13)

- Audio signals from media interface control unit
(with code (518) Media interface)

- Mute signal from emergency call system control unit (N123/4)
(with code (359) TELEAID emergency call system)

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- Audio signals from AUX connection electrical connector (except code (518) Media interface)

- Vehicle Information and Communication System (VICS) signals from VICS control unit (A2/37) (with code (498) Japan version, Dealer Option)

RS-232C interface (with code (498) Japan version)

The COMAND controller unit reads in, over an RS-232C interface, Electronic Toll Collection System (ETC) signals from the Electronic Toll Collection control unit (A50/3) (Dealer Option).

Evaluation of input factors

The input values are processed in the COMAND controller unit.

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Activation of output media and system components

The system components are actuated over the following connections:

 CAN

 MOST

 Direct line

 RS-232C interface (with code (498) Japan version

CAN

The COMAND controller unit is a telematics CAN and interior CAN subscriber.

The functions resulting therefrom are described in the corresponding function descriptions (see block diagram or function schematic).

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MOST

The COMAND controller unit sends the following signals via MOST:

- Audio signals:

- Sound system amplifier control unit (N40/3)
(with code (810) Sound system)

- Control signals:

- Sound system amplifier control unit
(with code (810) Sound system)

- Digital Audio Broadcasting control unit
(with code (537) Digital radio)

- Satellite Digital Audio Radio control unit
(with code (536) SIRIUS satellite radio)

- Media Interface control unit
(with code (518) Media Interface)

- Digital TV tuner (with code (865) TV tuner) or
TV tuner (analog/digital)
(with code (863) Digital/analog TV tuner)

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Direct line

The COMAND controller unit sends signals via direct lines to the following components:

- Audio signals to the speaker system
(except code (810) Sound system)

- Video signals over the low voltage differential signal (LVDS) line to the Audio/COMAND display

- Control signals for COMAND fan motor

- Microphone output to emergency call system control unit
(with code (359) TELEAID emergency call system)

RS-232C interface (with code (498) Japan version

The COMAND controller unit sends ETC signals over an RS-232C interface to the Electronic Toll Collection control unit (Dealer Option).

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In addition to issuing electrical signals, the COMAND controller unit also sends voltages to the following components via a direct line:

- Power supply for COMAND fan motor

- Phantom voltage to following components:

- FM 1, AM, CL and KEYLESS-GO antenna amplifier

- FM 2 and DAB antenna amplifier

- Multifunction antenna

- Switching voltage for Vehicle Information
and Communication System (VICS) control unit
(with code (498) Japan version, Dealer Option)

- Actuation of Electronic Toll Collection control unit
(with code (498) Japan version, Dealer Option)

- Wake-up for MOST to following control units:

- Sound system amplifier control unit
(with code (810) Sound system)

- Digital Audio Broadcasting control unit
(with code (537) Digital radio)

- Satellite Digital Audio Radio control unit
(with code (536) SIRIUS satellite radio)

- Media Interface control unit
(with code (518) Media Interface)

- Digital TV tuner (with code (865) TV tuner) or
TV tuner (analog/digital)
(with code (863) Digital/analog TV tuner)

P82.87-5592-05

Design

Shown with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive (with navigation system) up to 30.6.2011

1 Function keys

2 Keypad

3 "ON" button

4 Volume control ring collar

5 CD or DVD eject button

6 "C" button (deletes individual characters or complete entries)

7 "Skip back" button

8 "Skip forward" button

9 Memory card slot

10 Memory card ejector button

11 DVD drive

The following components are integrated in the COMAND controller unit:

- Operating panels for controlling telematics functions

- Central computer

- Audio amplifier

- Card reader for memory cards

- Bluetooth® receiver

- Radio dual tuner

- High definition (HD) radio tuner
(with code (494) USA version)

- Navigation processor
(with code (512) COMAND APS with DVD changer or
with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive
(with navigation))

- HDD hard disk
(with code (512) COMAND APS with DVD changer or
with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive
(with navigation))

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Function

 Controls

 DVD drive

 Card reader for memory cards

 Navigation and GPS control unit
(with code (512) COMAND APS with DVD changer or with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive (with navigation))

 Turn rate sensor (gyro sensor)
(with code (512) COMAND APS with DVD changer or with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive (with navigation))

 Control unit for voice control system (VCS)
(with code (512) COMAND APS with DVD changer or
with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive
(with navigation))

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Controls

The buttons on the operating panel of the COMAND controller unit are read in and relayed to the central computer. The button operations are processed further in the central computer and forwarded via MOST, the telematics CAN and the interior CAN to the other system components in the form of messages. If the ON button on the COMAND controller unit is pressed, the COMAND controller unit is switched on.

The volume is regulated for the respective set audio source by turning the ring collar on the "ON" button. The function keys switch over to the audio source desired by the user.

 In the event of system fault or system crash, pressing the "ON" button for t = 8 s will reboot the COMAND controller unit.

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DVD drive

The integrated DVD drive can be used to play back audio CDs/DVDs or video DVDs and store data (e.g. update) (except code (528) COMAND incl. DVD changer) from the navigation DVD on the internal hard disk.

 In vehicles with code (498) Japan version only original audio CDs can be converted to the MP3-format and stored on the hard disk.

Card reader for memory cards

With the aid of the integrated card reader, data and audio files can be played from a memory card and data stored on the hard disk.

 With code (498) Japan version audio files cannot be copied from memory cards to the hard disk.

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Card reader variants

In vehicles up to 30.6.2011 the card reader is compatible with Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) memory cards.

In vehicles as of 1.7.2011 the card reader is compatible with Secure Digital (SD) memory cards.

Navigation and GPS control unit
(with code (512) COMAND APS with DVD changer or with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive (with navigation))

The navigation processor is integrated into the COMAND controller unit and calculates the location of the vehicle using the incoming antenna signals. It also calculates the vehicle's route after the destination has been entered.

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Turn rate sensor (gyro sensor)
(with code (512) COMAND APS with DVD changer or with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive (with navigation))

The turn rate sensor determines the direction changes of the vehicle. It is integrated into the navigation processor and does not need to be calibrated.

Control unit for voice control system (VCS)
(with code (512) COMAND APS with DVD changer or with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive (with navigation))

The voice commands are processed and evaluated in the COMAND controller unit. The voice outputs for the dialog with the user are generated in the COMAND controller unit.

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Variants

The COMAND controller unit is available in the following variants:

- Code (512) COMAND APS with DVD changer,
(up to 30.6.2011 or as of 1.7.2011)

- Code (526) COMAND with single DVD drive (without navigation) (with code (494) USA version as of 1.7.2011)

- Code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive
(with navigation) (up to 30.6.2011 or as of 1.7.2011)

- Code (528) COMAND incl. DVD changer,
(up to 30.6.2011 or as of 1.7.2011)

Diagnosis

The COMAND controller unit is the diagnostic interface (gateway) for all MOST users.

The diagnostic communication takes place between the COMAND controller unit and the front SAM control unit with fuse and relay module (N10/1) via the interior CAN. The diagnostic communication between the front SAM control unit and the diagnostic connector (X11/4) connected to the diagnosis tester is performed via diagnostic CAN (CAN D).