VW POLO V

Electrical | Electronic Systems

Body Electronic Control Unit and Infotainment

Technical progress such as denser component populations have made it possible to further increase the range of functions provided by control units in automotive electronics. For the new Polo this has allowed them to be reduced in size or for several control units to be combined into one, resulting in potential for savings.

42

VW Polo V

The Authors 1 Body Computer Module Highly Integrated Body Electronic Control Unit
The functions of the body ECU have previously been performed by two control units installed in parallel in cars in the Polo class: The onboard supply control unit incorporated the functions for controlling lights and wipers as well as registering terminal occupancy, load management and the gateway. The comfort control unit, meanwhile, was responsible for the functions of central locking and the alarm system as well as being the radio receiver for processing the signals from the remote control key. For the new Polo, a concept has been developed to combine the functions of both these control units into one highly integrated electronic module, called the Body Computer Module (BCM), Figure 1. This has been made possible firstly by technical progress leading to greater integration density of components and, secondly, the availability of development methods for reliable mastery of highly complex and interacting functions and variants. The objective was to use the new BCM in all Group models based on the Polo series. This meant configuring the software for the many different functions of the individual models in such a way as to allow it to be adapted to the vehicle during production. The various functional requirements (approximately 24,000 in all) of the individual vehicle models were collected and adapted as part of the software development by means of new methods for requirement management (requirement engineering), virtual prototypes and functional simulations. This means the BCM can now be used worldwide as a module in more than 24 different vehicle derivatives. A further new requirement concerned dispensing with the external radio aerial for receiving signals from the remote control key. The necessary ranges of 30 m to 50 m were to be achieved by means of an aerial integrated in the BCM. Tests with various types and shapes of aerial showed that a circuit board aerial represents the optimum solution here. However, the area around the circuit board aerial has to be kept almost entirely free from interference, which can only be achieved by strictly separating the PWM power control unit from the radio receiver module and having them placed as far apart as possible. The development of this complex BCM was assisted by innovations in semiDipl.-Ing. Heinz Lau is Specialist Group Spokesperson Polo in Car Electrics Development at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg (Germany).

Hans-Joachim Pahl works at Control Interactive Electronics at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg (Germany).

Christoph Blume is SET Spokesperson for Vehicle Electrical System and Add-Ins in Development at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg (Germany).

Dr. Carsten Krmke is Sub-Department Head of Body Computer in Development at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg (Germany).

Stefan Anderlik is Designer/Project Manager BC in Development at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg (Germany).

Peter Voss is Designer BC in Development at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg (Germany).

Andreas Koblitz is SET Spokesperson for Infotainment in Development at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg (Germany). Figure 1: Body Computer Module (BCM) ATZextra I May 2009 43

VW POLO V

Electrical | Electronic Systems

conductor technology. New microcontrollers with significantly better performance and much more memory make it possible for the full set of software modules still required according to the requirements of specific markets and/or brands to be kept in the BCM and to activate them according to requirements, Figure 2. The set of software modules in question is derived after a process of correcting brand conflicts. As a result, Volkswagen can accommodate the requirements of every individual market by having an optimally adapted BCM. Combining two control units also has the effect of reducing weight, consumption and CO2 emissions for the vehicle. In addition, the material saving allowed manufacturing costs to be reduced considerably.

Another component is the possibility of parallel operation via touchscreen and soft keys or by a turn-and-press dial (dual operating concept). Whilst driving, it is possible to use the turn-and-press dial because operating the touchscreen would be awkward in this context since it requires visual contact. When the vehicle is stationary, however, the rapidity of the touchscreen cannot be beaten when the driver is able to devote his or her full attention to it. This combination gives the user a full range of options.

2.2 Navigation
A navigation system is becoming more and more of an essential feature, particularly considering how many media and comfort functions can also be operated using the system. Standards have already become established in this context and have been carefully integrated. For example, the usual functions are available for entering destinations. However, operation has been simplified and streamlined using the hub concept. Addresses are entered in the usual way using a keyboardlike typewriter operated using the touchscreen or the turn-and-press dial (dual operating concept). User guidance is provided to avoid getting lost in sub-menus. Associative special destination searching is a special feature. In this, it is no longer necessary to have to know the category of a special destination. Rather, it is sufficient to input a keyword as well as the place (location or destination),

2 The Navigation System RNS 310

The following main development objectives were defined for the RNS 310 navigation system, Figure 3: clear, high-quality integration optimum installation position without obscuring visibility or creating dazzle best possible legibility, high-contrast, bright displays with an appealing size best possible operability with highquality controls concentration of vehicle comfort functions, radio, media playback and navigation in one device.

then the destination can be selected from the list of suggestions. Keywords such as food, car, cinema, etc. are sufficient to find the required special destination quickly without needing to know the precise text of the special destinations name or its category. The most frequently used categories for special destinations, fuel, parking, can be found right in the main level (hub) of the navigation screen, making it possible to search for the nearest filling station or car park in only two steps. Once the destination has been defined, route guidance takes the form of a quasi three-dimensional map display. The map contains features from the surrounding area (railway lines, rivers, residential or industrial areas), it rotates and zooms smoothly and changes the viewing angle (3D effect) when a decision point is close, in cooperation with the autozoom function. This means the driver is always offered the optimum map orientation without the need to intervene. Finally, the driver will also notice the precise location finding. An integrated system can offer much more precise route guidance because it can find locations more reliably and accurately. This is because location finding can be maintained for a certain time even without GPS if the car happens to drive where no GPS signal can be reached. This is achieved using sensors already existing in the vehicle, and by connecting the device to the CAN network.

2.1 Operating Concept

The operating concept is that of an iconbased hub concept. This means a similar yet independent main screen (hub) with icons is available for every single source (radio, media, navigation) via hard key, with all other functions accessible from each particular hub. As a result, there is no need to search in endless lists in order to access the function required. Instead, the user is guided and can change to a different context quickly at any time using the hard key. The menu transitions and feedback from the touchscreen feature elaborate graphics in order to emphasise the high quality of the user interface in conjunction with the round design of the graphic elements.
44 VW Polo V

Figure 2: BCM 25 microcontroller

VW POLO V

Electrical | Electronic Systems

Retrofit systems frequently encounter difficulties, such as inability to detect junctions in tunnels or suddenly changing the indicated position of the vehicle in narrow streets between tall buildings. The RNS 310, in contrast, offers complete mastery of such situations, giving unambiguous information by using data from the ABS and ESP control unit. Seamless routing makes it possible to combine map areas on the SD card. Copy protection ensures that the navigation data on the SD card can only be used in the device in which it was created. The advantage of using an SD card as the navigation database is the significantly faster access time it offers. All procedures in the navigation system are thereby accelerated significantly, and there are hardly any waiting times any longer. Furthermore, the required country data can be copied from the CD onto the SD card in the device. There, the data is combined to make one overall data set. A 4 GB SD card must be inserted in order to generate a Europewide data set. Data media are available for most countries in Europe.

tion, the user will also find an updated list of radio stations available, and can select the station from the list by means of the RDS name display. By pressing the info button whilst listening to FM stations, it is possible to display the radio text that is being broadcast, therefore finding out about the song or artist name for the current broadcast.

pleasure without restrictions. The mobile phone preparation also available as an option offers safe hands-free telephony when driving, with instructions from the navigation system being provided in a muted yet audible way whilst the music is switched off.

2.5 Players 2.5.1 CD Player

The internal CD player can process navigation CDs, audio CDs and MP3 CDs. It is switched to quadspeed mode for copying the navigation data.

2.4 System Integration

The RNS 310 has the following media and vehicle comfort functions: OPS (Optical Parking System) display of distance from obstacles when parking air conditioning control MDI (multimedia interface) MP3 from CD MP3 from SD card AUX-in (socket on the front of the unit) telephone hands-free device sound system (Dynaudio). The additional MDI box allows an iPod or USB stick to be connected, with music selection and playback via the browser in the RNS 310. The RNS 310 itself has a 3.5 mm socket in its front for connecting an external audio source. What is more, MP3 files stored on CD or SD card can also be played back. It goes without saying that normal audio CDs can be played using the internal CD player. The optionally available Dynaudio sound system provides high-class sound

2.5.2 SD Player
There is a slot for SD-HC cards in the front of the unit. The SD card can hold navigation data if the user copies the data from the CD onto the SD card in the unit. Copy protection is activated so that the database on the SD card is linked to the unit number. This means the SD card cannot be used for navigation in a second unit. The SD card can also store MP3 files. MP3 files can be played back from the SD card during navigation.

2.3 Radio Function

The RNS 310 has a dual tuner which is capable of providing phase diversity. Two aerials are integrated into the vehicle for this purpose. The ingenious software thereby enables high-quality reception at all times whilst also providing TMC messages used by the navigation system for dynamic traffic jam avoidance. In addi-

2.6 Hardware
The outer appearance of the unit is based on the new equipment line from Volkswagen, with chrome embellishers on the hard keys, chrome-plated buttons and the high-gloss insert around the screen underlining the premium claim of the brand. The high-quality display represents a particular highlight. A 5-inch WQVGA TFT display in normally black technology is used for the greatest contrast and particularly clear colour reproduction. LED backlighting with an intensity of more than 400 mCd ensures that the display is sharp and clear. In addition, the backlighting is adjusted to the lighting conditions in the vehicle by means of a sensor.

3 The Multimedia Interface

The MEDIA-IN multimedia interface allows mobile memory devices and audio devices to be integrated into the vehicle system, Figure 4. This means not just USB sticks or USB drives can be used, but also high-quality MP3 players

Figure 3: RNS 310 navigation system 46 VW Polo V

Figure 4: MEDIA IN multimedia interface

can be connected. Above all, the ability to integrate iPods and iPhones from Apple will be something that many people will find popular. Depending on

which music format the customer prefers, it is possible to play back songs in MP3, WMA, OGG Vorbis and AAC formats from any storage medium. In addi-

tion, playlists in PLS, B4S, ASX and WPL are supported. This means the customer has access to his or her entire digital music collection at any time, and can enjoy listening to the music through the cars sound system. It is possible to search for music conveniently using the touch-sensitive display of the radio or navigation system. The stored track information is shown clearly on the display of the head unit and on the combination display. The glove compartment or a specially configured rack can be used for storing the connected device. The battery of the MP3 player is charged up when it is connected. The MEDIA-IN multimedia interface for various devices such as USB, iPod, mini USB and the ability to transfer updates guarantee that the system will remain flexible and retain its compatibility for a long time to come. n

ATZextra I May 2009

47