Brief description of components

The central control unit is the Telematic Control Unit (TCU). The TCU includes its own transmitter and receiver module (Network Access Device, NAD) with its own SIM card. The SIM card is the telephone card that is plugged into the mobile phone and which serves to identify the user in the telephone network.

The TCU consists of the modules:

• Transceiver unit (Network Access Device NAD) with GPRS function (since 09/2005)
• GPS receiver
• Bluetooth module
• Voice recognition module

The TCU supports the following functions:

• Telematic services
• Bluetooth connection to mobile phone
• Voice recognition

The radio serves as the gateway (data interface) between the MOST bus and the K-CAN.

On the E60, E61, E63 and E64, M-ASK is installed in the basic equipment specification.

In this case, M-ASK is the interface for operating the telephone. The telephone directory and other information are shown on the Central Information Display (CID).

The CCC is installed in connection with one of the following options:

• "Professional" navigation system
• "Voice recognition system"

Several control units and the CD-ROM/MD/DVD players are integrated into a single housing. The CCC is used to control all information and communication systems, including the telephone.

Depending on vehicle's equipment specification:

• CID:  Central Information Display

  The menus for the M-ASK and CCC are displayed on the CID.

• RAD2:  The telephone can be operated on the RAD2 display (only available from 03/2006)

The base plate includes the battery charger for the mobile phone. The snap-in adapter must be retrofitted by the dealer organisation. The snap-in adapter is used as a bracket for the mobile phone during a journey. (white "TCU" marking)

The customer is able to use his mobile phone, provided this is supported by BMW. Snap-in adapters are available for various bluetooth-compatible mobile phones.

The hands-free microphone is located in the roof function centre (FZD) and is used to input speech information and voice commands into the hands-free system.

On vehicles with CCC, option 620 "Voice recognition system" is also necessary, as voice commands cannot otherwise be processed. With option 620 "Voice recognition system", a second microphone for inputting voice commands is fitted in the roof function centre. All CCC functions can thus be operated using voice commands. (The microphone for voice commands is discontinued from 09/2005; voice commands are then input through the hands-free microphone).

• > E64, E93: The microphones are installed on the steering column.

The buttons for the telephone functions are located on the multi-function steering wheel. When a call is accepted, the TCU (Telematic Control Unit) will switch to hands-free mode.

The following functions are operated by pressing the transmit/receive button:

• Accept or end call
• Select phone number from the following lists:
  • Telephone directory entries A - Z
  • Top-8 list (list of the 8 most frequently called phone numbers from the telephone directory entries)
  • Dialled numbers (list with last 8 phone numbers dialled)
  • Show missed calls
  • Show accepted calls
• Redial last number dialled (without list)
• Pressing the button will automatically activate the voice recognition system in the TCU. With option 620 "Voice recognition system" the CCC's voice recognition system will be activated.

The GPS antenna picks up GPS signals. In the event of an accident, the GPS signals are used to compute the location of the vehicle even if no navigation system is installed.

These vehicles are equipped with a telephone aerial. For this reason, an additional aerial splitter is also fitted. The aerial splitter divides the aerial output between the TCU and the mobile phone.

The TCU communicates with the mobile phone via the bluetooth antenna.

An emergency call can be transmitted through the emergency GSM antenna if the external telephone aerial is not working, because of an accident, for example.

If an emergency call is activated and voice output via the loudspeakers in the vehicle is not possible, the system will switch to the emergency loudspeaker. The emergency loudspeaker is connected directly to the TCU (Telematic Control Unit). The emergency loudspeaker is located in the driver's footwell.

The emergency call button is located in the front headlining, in the middle next to the sliding/tilting sunroof switch.

The emergency call button is used to manually trigger an emergency call. The emergency call button has an LED.

A cover panel prevents the emergency call button from being pressed unintentionally.