Component description for COMAND controller unit

P82.87-8493-06

Location

The COMAND controller unit is located in the center console.

Tasks

The COMAND controller unit fulfills the following tasks:

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

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

 Radio

 CD/DVD audio

 DVD video

 SD (Secure Digital) memory card

 AUX connection electrical connector (X39/45) up to 28.02.2013 in stowage compartment (telephone compartment) under the front armrest, for external audio equipment (except CODE 518 (Media Interface))

 USB electrical connector (X115) in stowage compartment (telephone compartment) under the front armrest

 Bluetooth® Audio

 Telephony

 TV (with CODE 865 (TV tuner))

 Media interface for external audio or mass storage devices (with CODE 518 (Media Interface))

 Internet (except CODE 528 (COMAND incl. DVD changer) and except CODE 526 (COMAND with single DVD drive (without navigation)))

 Navigation (map navigation with data from the internal hard disk) (except CODE 528 (COMAND incl. DVD changer) and except CODE 526 (COMAND with single DVD drive (without navigation)))

 Voice control system VCS [(SBS]) (except CODE 528 (COMAND incl. DVD changer) and except CODE 526 (COMAND with single DVD drive (without navigation)))

 Digital operator's manual (except CODE 528 (COMAND incl. DVD changer) and except CODE 526 (COMAND with single DVD drive (without navigation)))

 Emergency call (with CODE 347 (Ecall Europe emergency call system))

 Telematics services communications module (N112/2) (with CODE B54 (Live Traffic Information))

 Radio frequency headphones (H8/3) (with CODE 867 (SPLITVIEW))

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

 Radio interface (with CODE 867 (SPLITVIEW))

CAN

 The COMAND controller unit is a telematics CAN (CAN A) subscriber.

 The COMAND controller unit is an interior CAN (CAN B) subscriber.

Media Oriented System Transport (MOST)

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

 Sound system amplifier control unit (N40/3) (with CODE 810 (Sound system) or CODE 811 (Advanced sound system))

 Digital Audio Broadcasting control unit (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))

 Digital TV tuner (with CODE 865 (TV tuner))

Direct line

The COMAND controller unit has the following direct connections (inputs):

 Circuit 30g

 Circuit 31

 Wake-up for MOST

 AUX connection electrical connector up to 28.02.2013 (access beneath the front armrest) (except CODE 518 (Media Interface))

 USB electrical connector (access beneath front armrest)

 Audio muting of the emergency call system control unit (N123/4) (with CODE 348 (Emergency call/assist system))

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

 FM 2 and DAB (A2/19) antenna amplifier

 Bluetooth antenna (A2/91)

 GPS (Global Positioning System) signals from multifunction antenna (A28/11), with CODE 348 (Emergency call/assist system) via the Global Positioning System antenna splitter (A2/5)

 Hands-free system microphone (A67b1) (2 microphones)

 Audio lines from DVD player (A40/4) (with CODE 864 (Rear entertainment system))

 COMAND fan motor (M4/13) (diagnosis)

 Y/C lines (Y brightness (luminance)/C color information (chrominance)) from digital TV tuner (A90/3) (with CODE 865 (TV tuner))

 Y-lines from Night View Assist control unit (N101) (with CODE 610 (Night View Assist), up to 28.02.2013)

 CVBS [FBAS] (Color Video Baseband Signal) signal from reversing camera control unit (N66/2) (with CODE 218 (Reversing camera))

 CVBS [FBAS] signal from 360° camera control unit (N148) (with CODE 501 (360 degree camera), as of 01.03.2013)

 CVBS [FBAS] signal from Media Interface electrical connector (with CODE 518 (Media Interface))

 CVBS [FBAS] signal with navigation retrofit (with CODE 355 (Preinstallation for navigation retrofit (Korea/Taiwan)))

 USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection with the telematics services communications module (with CODE B54 (Live Traffic Information))

 VICS control unit (A2/37) (with CODE 498 (Japan version), Dealer Option)

 Electronic Toll Collection control unit (A50/3) (controller) (up to 31.05.2012) or Dedicated Short-Range Communications v (A50/6) (controller) (as of 01.06.2012) (with CODE 498 (Japan version), Dealer Option)

Radio interface (with CODE 867 (SPLITVIEW))

 Control signals from the remote control (A8/7)

 Control communication from the radio frequency headphones (cordless)

Evaluation of input factors

The input values are processed in the COMAND controller unit.

Activation of output media and system components

 Audio output to speakers (except CODE 810 (Sound system) and except CODE 811 (Advanced Sound-System))

 Audio output to headphones electrical connector (cabled) (X39/6) (with CODE 867 (SPLITVIEW))

 Audio signals over radio interface to the radio frequency headphones (cordless) (with CODE 867 (SPLITVIEW))

 Video output: LVDS (low voltage differential signaling) line sends picture signals to the Audio/COMAND display (A40/8)

 COMAND fan motor (power supply and speed control)

 Microphone output to the emergency call system control unit (with CODE 348 (Emergency call/assist system))

 Audio/video output to DVD player (with CODE 864 (Rear entertainment system))

 USB connection to telematics services communications module (vehicle and position data) (with CODE B54 (Live Traffic Information))

 VICS control unit (switching voltage) (with CODE 498 (Japan version), Dealer Option)

 Electronic Toll Collection control unit (controller) (up to 31.05.2012) or Dedicated Short-Range Communications control unit (controller) (as of 01.06.2012) (with CODE 498 (Japan version), Dealer Option)

 Activation signal (with CODE 386 (Comfort telephony)) to mobile phone contact plate (X237/1) (as of 01.03.2013) or Bluetooth module (A34/7) (up to 28.02.2013)

 MODEL 212 as of 6/1/12 up to 3/1/15
up to model year 2016
with CODE 512 (COMAND APS with DVD changer)
with CODE 537 (Digital radio)
MODEL 212 as of 6/1/12 up to 3/1/15
up to model year 2016
with CODE 527 (COMAND APS with single DVD drive (with navigation))
with CODE 537 (Digital radio)
When digital radio is active (DAB), the COMAND controller unit transmits FM signals received at the same time to the Digital Audio Broadcasting control unit via MOST.

P82.87-6742-05

Body

The following components are integrated in the COMAND controller unit:

 Single drive or disk changer

 Arithmetic unit

 Hard disk (except CODE 528 (COMAND incl. DVD changer) and except CODE 526 (COMAND with single DVD drive (without navigation)))

 Amplifier (except CODE 810 (Sound system) or CODE 811 (Advanced sound system))

 Bluetooth® receiver

 Radio tuner

 HD radio tuner (High Definition) (with CODE 494 (USA version))

 Infrared interface (with CODE 867 (SPLITVIEW))

 Radio interface (with CODE 867 (SPLITVIEW))

 COMAND electrical fuse (A40/3f1)

Function

 Operating elements

 DVD drive

 Navigation and GPS control unit

 Gyro sensor

 Control unit for voice control system (VCS [SBS])

 Card reader for SD memory cards

Operating elements

The signals from the buttons on the control panel of the COMAND controller unit are read in and relayed to the arithmetic unit. The button operations undergo further processing in the arithmetic unit and are forwarded via the MOST, the telematics CAN or 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 each audio source set by turning the ON button. The buttons in left button group can be used to select the audio source requested 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.

DVD drive

With the aid of the integrated DVD drive, audio CDs/DVDs or video DVDs can be played and data (e.g. updates) from the navigation DVD can be stored on the internal hard drive.

Navigation and GPS control unit

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.

Gyro sensor

The gyro sensor determines vehicle direction changes. It is installed into the navigation processor. Calibration is not required.

Control unit for voice control system (VCS [SBS])

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.

Card reader for SD memory cards

With the aid of the integrated card reader, data and audio files from an SD memory card can be stored on the hard disk (except CODE 528 (COMAND incl. DVD changer) and except CODE 526 (COMAND with single DVD drive (without navigation))) and subsequently retrieved again.

 On vehicles as of 01.03.2013, the card reader can also read SDXC cards. To save data from the COMAND controller unit onto the SD card, a PIN (Personal Identification Number) protection can be activated. If PIN protection is activated then the specified PIN has to be entered first before any data can be saved onto the SD card.

Variants

The COMAND controller unit is available in the following variants:

 With CODE 512 (COMAND APS with DVD changer)

 With CODE 526 (COMAND with single DVD drive (without navigation))

 With CODE 527 (COMAND APS with single DVD drive (with navigation))

 With CODE 528 (COMAND with DVD changer)

The COMAND controller unit with CODE 512 (COMAND APS with DVD changer) and with CODE 527 (COMAND APS with single DVD drive (with navigation)) is also available in the following variants:

 With or without CODE 867 (SPLITVIEW)

 As of 01.03.2013 or up to 28.02.2013

Diagnosis

The COMAND controller unit is the diagnosis 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. Diagnostic communication between front SAM control unit with fuse and relay module and the diagnostic connector (X11/4) occurs via the diagnostic CAN (CAN D).