Navigation mode, function

The navigation system is intended to support the driver in finding the route and increase driving safety in familiar areas.

The primary functions of the navigation system include:

 Position determination

 Route planning

 Route calculation

 Guidance

 Visual guidance instructions with map illustrations

 Acoustic driving instructions

All systems required for navigation, with the exception of the GPS antenna (A2/93a6) and the GPS antenna splitter (A2/5) (with code (359) TELE AID emergency call system), are contained in the COMAND operating display and control unit (A40/3).

The GPS antenna integrated into the roof antenna module (A2/93) receives the GPS signals from the satellites and routes them to the GPS antenna splitter. The GPS antenna splitter splits the GPS signal and sends it to the COMAND operating, display and control unit as well as to the emergency call system control unit (N123/4) (with code (359) TELE AID emergency call system).

Important specific vehicle data such as

 the wheel pulse signal,

 the rotation angle and

 the backup signal

are routed digitally via the Control Area Network bus, class B (interior) (CAN B) bus to the COMAND operating, display and control unit.

P82.62-2829-09

Block diagram of antenna systems

Illustrated with following equipment:

 HIGH Class USA (code 528)

 COMAND APS USA (with navigation) (code 530) and

 TELE AID emergency call system
(code 359)

 SIRIUS satellite radio (code 536)

6 HF line SDAR control unit (terrestrial)

7 HF line for telephone

8 HF line for emergency call

9 HF line for GPS for navigation and emergency call

10 HF line for emergency call via TELE AID backup antenna

11 Switching voltage for FM2/FM3 switchover

12 HF line for FM2 or FM3

1 HF line for AM/FM

2 Line for IF feedback line (activation of diversity processor)

3 Line for demodulated radio remote central locking

4 HF line (authorization signal) for Keyless Go control unit

5 HF line for SDAR control unit (satellite)

A2/5 GPS antenna splitter

A2/19 FM rear window antenna amplifier

A2/50 TELE AID backup antenna

A2/93 Roof antenna module

A2/93a1 FM/AM/RRCL [FZV] antenna

A2/93a2 Antenna amplifier

A2/93a3 Telephone antenna

A2/93a4 TELE AID antenna

A2/93a5 SDAR antenna

A2/93a6 GPS antenna

FM/AM/FZV Antennas for AM, FM and radio remote central locking

FM2 FM2-Rear window antenna

FM3 FM3-Rear window antenna

MOST Media Oriented System Transport (MOST)

A34/6 Portable CTEL

A34/15 UPCI [UHI] portable CTEL holder (Universal Handy Interface)

A40/3 COMAND operating, display and control unit

N10/8 Rear SAM control unit

N69/5 Keyless Go control unit

N87/5 SDAR control unit

N123/1 Universal Portable CTEL Interface (UPCI [UHI]) control unit

N123/4 Emergency call system control unit

Function requirements

 Initial operation

The COMAND operating, display and control unit is activated with circuit 15R. After the navigation DVD has been inserted into the lot in the COMAND operating, display and control unit, the navigation unit compares the software version already installed with the software present on the DVD. If the DVD contains a more current software version, it is loaded by the navigation unit.

Simultaneously, the GPS receiver is initialized in the background.This operation can require up to approx.
15 minutes.

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After successfully initializing the GPS receiver, the navigation unit starts automatic calibration while driving.

It is no longer necessary to enter the tire diameters or to perform a calibration drive. After driving approx. one kilometer with turns, the navigation unit is automatically calibrated. After successful initial operation, the navigation system in the vehicle is active when circuit 30 is active.The navigation DVD can then be removed or inserted. However, the navigation DVD is read in only when the system is started.

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 Switching off navigation

If the COMAND operating, display and control unit is switched off (ignition OFF), the navigation unit stores the important data, such as the last position, direction, etc. in its memory in order to avoid having to reinitialize the process. When the command is started, it is only necessary for the navigation unit to load the operating system, receive the missing GPS data and compare it to the current road network. This procedure may require a few minutes before the user receives the first driving recommendations.

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Basic navigation

 Position determination

When the system is started, the navigation unit compares the GPS data supplied by the GPS antenna with the stored data on the vehicle position, direction, as well as the map data. The position of the vehicle is determined to approx. 10 meters precisely by this operation.

If the vehicle position is requested on the COMAND operating, display and control unit, the position is illustrated on the map on the color display. Display in the form of latitude and longitude is also possible.

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 Destination address entry for route calculation

The following information can be used for entry:

 Town name

 Road

 Intersection (including road number)

 Building number (if data is available)

 Suburb (if data is available)

 "State" (US federal state or "Province" (Canada))

 Destination entry on map (with crosshairs which can be moved with joystick)

Entry is supported by the system using an intelligent speller (letter and number field). Only characters are offered which could be entered next, according to the progress of the entry. Unique names can be supplemented automatically to the extent possible. Reduction of the selection possibilities for characters is also accomplished for special characters. Direct entry of the number is possible for building numbers.

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 Route calculation

After entry or call-up of a destination, route calculation is started.

The route within the present vehicle position and the destination is calculated in the navigation unit of COMAND operating, display and control unit. In addition "Avoid options" can be selected by the user, to prevent them from being calculated into the route. With these options it is possible to avoid ferries, tunnels and toll roads, for example.

Route calculation can also be influenced by entering an intermediate destination or intermediate stop.

After successful calculation, the route is indicated on the map.

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 Journey on the calculated route

The actual position is compared cyclically in the navigation processor with the predicted position. The entry parameters are the data from the yaw rate sensor (GYRO) integrated into the COMAND operating, display and control unit and the motion data coming from the vehicle.

When the vehicle moves along the calculated route, all required information is shown on the color display and some of the information is also announced over the speaker.

This information includes:

 Destination/intermediate destination

 Calculated time of arrival and traveling time

 Route list

The function terminates when the destination is used.

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 Leaving the calculated route

If the vehicle is no longer moving along the pre-calculated route, the route is re-calculated.

If the re-calculated values are plausible, the modified route is displayed:

 If the vehicle is located on a road which is present in digitized form, however, for which no auxiliary information such as one-way street, expressway, etc. is present, the display "OFF ROAD" appears.

 If the vehicle is located outside the digitized map, the display "OFF MAP" appears.

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Destination memory

Destinations entered can be stored in a destination memory manually by the user. All stored destinations are displayed to the user in alphabetical order in the COMAND operating, display and control unit. If an entry is stored in the destination memory without a name, it is indicated to the user in an additional list with the designation "Other". A maximum of 200 entries can be saved.

All the methods for entering a destination are available for making entries into this memory. If all 200 entry possibilities in the destination memory have been used, the user is notified of this by a pop-up message during the next storage operation and requested to delete one of the entries manually.

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Last destination (Last Destination Memory)

The user has access to a list of the last destinations reached in the main memory of the navigation unit. When destination guidance is started, the route is automatically stored in the "Last Destination Memory", including the daily planning and all intermediate destinations.

Up to 50 entries can be saved. Then, they are deleted automatically according to the "first in, first out" principle. This means that the oldest entry is deleted first.

The entries can also be deleted manually by the user.

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OFF-Road navigation

The navigation unit can also record routes off of the normal roads (OFF-Road). The routes can be saved in this case, as well (maximum 60 miles). Display o the stored route is accomplished on the map display.

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Daily plan function

The daily plan function allows the user to enter a number of destinations to be driven to one after another.

The destinations are displayed to the user arranged in a list. The current destination to be reached is emphasized by bold lettering. After reaching a destination address in the list, it is automatically deleted from the daily plan.

A maximum of 18 destinations can be stored in the daily plan. If all entries have been used, the user is requested to delete one of the entries by a "pop-up message" the next time he attempts to store a destination.

The destinations in the daily plan can be sorted either according to the shortest distance or as a round trip.

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Voice output

 The following languages are available:

 American English

 French

 Spanish

 Voice output is accomplished for:

 "Maintain direction"

 Turning recommendations

 Turnarounds

 Numbered streets

 Further announcements:

 Start of route calculation

 Destination / intermediate destination reached

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 A special instruction for areas is given with:

 Destination in area not accessible to vehicle

 Destination in area with limited access for vehicle

 Destination in a In Process Data (IPD) area

 IPD (In Process Data) are partially-attributed streets, which are present in digitized form, however, for which no auxiliary information, such as the street class,

- one-way street or

- expressway,

is available.

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Route calculation

 Route criteria and options

Only the criterion "fastest route" is available for route calculation.

This criterion can be limited with the following options:

 Avoid highway

 Avoid toll roads

 Avoid ferries/vehicle transport

 Avoid tunnels

The route is calculated observing the options set to the greatest possible extent. If it is not possible to observe the options, the option set for the route sections in question are ignored. The criteria and options set can be displayed and changed at any time. If an "Avoid option" cannot fulfilled by the system, this is indicated visually to the user by a pop-up message on the color display of the COMAND operating, display and control unit.

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 Route planning

The primary destinations must be reached exactly in each case before route planning is accomplished for the next destination.If a primary destination is entered as an intermediate destination, on the other hand, the navigation unit divides the route up into two sections and first directs the user to the intermediate destination (or also intermediate stop) and then automatically to the desired primary destination.

 Remaining travel time and remaining driving distance

The following are given:

 Distance from vehicle position to next destination

 Estimated time of arrival

 Travel time

The travel time is the result of the speed assigned to the road sections still to be traveled as well as a parameter calculated from the speed currently being driven.

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 Manual locking

Manual locks can be specified by:

 Removal on the route, starting from the momentary vehicle position, maximum 10 miles.

Depending on the distance to the destination, it is not possible to block the entire route, but rather only a portion in the vicinity of the current location. Independent elimination of the block is also possible.

 Guidance

Output of driving recommendations is accomplished as a matter of principle in consideration of the current speed, the current road class and the distance to the decisive point, e.g. highway exit. The driving recommendation is accomplished in up to 3 stages, depending on the situation:

 Preliminary announcement, depending on current road class

 Approaching

 Action

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 Symbolic driving recommendation

It is possible to output a pictogram on the multifunction display (A1p13) on the instrument cluster (A1) depending on the turning situation. A symbolic driving recommendation is generated for each decisive point. The following conditions are differentiated:

 Follow course of road

 Preliminary announcement

 Turn at an intersection, all streets at the intersection are specified and displayed with a directional resolution of 30°

 Turn off at an intersection with direction resolution of 90°

 Traffic circle, right and left traffic: All streets in the traffic circle are indicated (only in fully-digitized area).

 Fork with direction resolution of 30°

 Turn around, right, left traffic

 Direction of destination during route calculation, Off-Road, Off-Map and No-Route

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 Highway destination-oriented navigation

In order to give driving recommendations, specially for travel on highways, special 3D symbols are indicated to the driver in the color display on the COMAND operating, display and control unit.

 Distance information

The distance to the turning point is output when the action is within the vicinity of the route search. In addition, a turning recommendation is indicated by a bar graph and output via voice.

 Street names and signs

The following information is available:

 Name of current street and, when present in the database, associated name of suburb or district

 Name of the road to turn into

 On highways: Route indicator with information on number of exit, number of road, direction and location

 Map function

In addition, navigation is controlled with a map display allowing the route to be followed. The map data is loaded into the navigation unit from a special navigation DVD and the map is displayed on the color display of the COMAND operating, display and control unit.

The following display functions are supported:

 Navigation map

 Position map (without destination guidance)

During destination guidance, the driving recommendations can be represented in the so-called "Split-screen mode" with an intersection zoom.

 Intersection zoom

This function allows the user to view driving recommendations on an enlarged map and also on a map display with reduced detail. The current vehicle position, route and turning points are displayed.