SYNC System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Ford EcoSport. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Refer to the Owner Literature for additional details of the SYNC system.

The APIM contains the SYNC software. The SYNC system connects various inputs over Bluetooth or USB connections to the car audio system. The SYNC system allows driver control of a phone, media device, and vehicle systems (navigation and climate control for example).

The APIM is powered at all times and uses the BCM ignition status message to control the on/off mode. The accessory delay feature is controlled by an ignition status message from the BCM.

SYNC Inputs

USB - media players or flash drives
Bluetooth - phones or media players
Display unit and radio control panel switches
Steering wheel switches
Voice microphone input
GPS data
Serial data link wired input from the ACM

SYNC Outputs

Display unit (touchscreen or non-touchscreen) CAN messages
- Audio system commands from the touchscreen equipped vehicles
Wired outputs to the ACM
- Stereo (2 channel) audio
- Monaural voice responses, including navigation guidance
- Monaural phone call audio and phone ringtone
Commands to a USB or Bluetooth device
- Outgoing call commands
- Text-to-speech information for a phone
- USB device file selection for playback

Remote SYNC Controls

The steering wheel switches contain a series of resistors. Each steering wheel audio function switch has a specific resistance value. The SCCM and switch assembly are connected in a voltage divider circuit. The voltage drop over an internal SCCM resistor is changed by the different audio switch function resistances. The SCCM monitors the resultant voltage drop across its internal resistor to determine which steering wheel switch is pressed. The SCCM transmits the steering wheel switch inputs over the CAN to the APIM to control SYNC functions.

Bluetooth Mode

The APIM supports multiple Bluetooth profiles, allowing the SYNC system to interact with both Bluetooth-enabled phones and Bluetooth-enabled media devices.

USB Mode

The APIM receives serial data input from connected USB devices. The USB cables are shielded to prevent interference from electromagnetic sources. The APIM provides 12 volt power for the USB hub, which in turn provides the 5 volt power to the USB ports.

Voice Commands

When the steering wheel voice button is pressed, a CAN message is sent to the APIM, initiating the voice command feature.

When voice commands are spoken, the monitored sounds are converted into analog signals by the microphone and sent to the APIM. The APIM software interprets them and outputs a command.

Compass

The GPS antenna (integral to the audio unit antenna) is used to acquire the compass heading.

The compass data is sent through the GPS cable to the APIM. The APIM uses this data to calculate and provide accurate vehicle tracking. The APIM processes the data and transmits it through the LVDS cable to the display unit.

Navigation (if equipped)

The APIM receives GPS data from the satellite and the GPS antenna via a coaxial cable. The GPS data is used for the compass heading, vehicle location (in the event of airbag deployment) and navigation guidance. The APIM uses the GPS data along to provide accurate navigation tracking.

The navigation map data is stored in the APIM. It can be updated using a USB flash drive. The APIM processes the data and transmits it through the LVDS cable to display on the touchscreen.

SIRIUS™ Travel Link™

The SIRIUS™ Travel Link™ is a subscription-based service available on vehicles equipped with navigation. The satellite radio antenna receives digital signals containing Travel Link™ data. These signals are routed to the satellite radio receiver (integral to the ACM) from a splitter that is part of the GPS antenna coaxial cable. The satellite receiver decrypts the data and the ACM sends it through wired circuits to the APIM.

Certain date-dependent features (such as sports schedules and scores, movie times, or the 5-day weather forecast) require the use of GPS data for accuracy. The APIM processes the data from the ACM and sends it to display on the touchscreen. The time intervals for each Travel Link category to update the data vary, depending on the category.

SYNC Connect (if equipped)

The SYNC Connect system uses the TCU to communicate via the cellular network with a device running the SYNC Connect application. The TCU communicates with other vehicle modules over the CAN to obtain information or to carry out application commands, depending on the request.

The primary means of communication between the TCU and the cellular network uses a cellular antenna integrated into the audio unit antenna. A separate coaxial cable connects the cellular portion of the antenna to the TCU. The secondary means of communication between the TCU and the cellular network is the TCU antenna. The TCU antenna connects to the TCU via a coaxial cable.

SYNC Connect data is transmitted via the cellular network to a server or device with the SYNC Connect application installed. The data received via the cellular network from the device application is processed by the TCU, which can make vehicle system commands via the CAN.

The SYNC Connect system uses the TCU to connect and transmits/receives data to/from the cellular network. When requested, the TCU communicates with other vehicle modules to obtain information or to carry out commands, depending on the request.

The primary means of communication between the TCU and the cellular network, uses a cellular antenna integrated into the audio unit antenna. A separate coaxial cable is used to transmit/receive data to/from the TCU.

The secondary means of communication between the TCU and the cellular network uses the TCU antenna. The TCU antenna transmits/receives data to/from the TCU via a coaxial cable.

The data transmitted via the cellular network to a server or device is used by the software host or the mobile application. The data received from the cellular network is processed by the TCU.

Wi-Fi Hotspot (if equipped)

The TCU provides the vehicle Wi-Fi access point.

The TCU communicates to the cellular network by two means. The primary connection is through the cable to the cellular antenna incorporated into the audio unit antenna. The secondary means is through the cable to the TCU antenna.