SYNC System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2020 Ford F-150. 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 SYNC system uses Bluetooth, the USB, the touchscreen display (FDIM), the GPS, the microphone and the APIMCAN message inputs to control the entertainment system, a phone, the climate control system and navigation system (if equipped).

Audio Inputs

The APIM receives stereo and mono inputs. Stereo inputs include audio from the USB ports, connected Bluetooth-enabled media device and outside device during a phone call. The mono input includes signals from the SYNC microphone.

Audio Outputs

The APIM sends stereo and mono audio signals to the ACM as fluctuating AC voltage. Stereo outputs include audio from the USB ports, connected Bluetooth-enabled media device, ringback tone, outside device during a phone call, voice or tone prompts initiated from the voice steering wheel switch, and instructions or information spoken by the SYNC system when initiated from the voice steering wheel switch. Mono outputs include audio from the TTS feature, incoming call ringtone, instructions, navigation route guidance voice or tone prompts (if equipped with navigation) or information spoken by the SYNC system when initiated.

Steering Wheel SYNC Controls

The audio/SYNC steering wheel switch contains a series of resistors. Each steering wheel switch function corresponds with a specific resistance value within the switch.

The SCCM sends 5 volt reference voltages to the steering wheel switch. When a switch is pressed, the voltage is routed through the corresponding resistor, through the return circuit, and then to ground through the SCCM. The SCCM monitors the resultant voltage drop to determine which switch was pressed. The voltage drop varies depending upon the resistance of the specific switch pressed.

The steering wheel switch inputs are sent as network messages from the SCCM to the APIM to control audio functions.

Bluetooth Mode

Bluetooth is a secure, short-range radio frequency that allows devices to communicate wirelessly through radio waves. The operating range of a Bluetooth signal is application specific, but has a minimum range of 10 meters (33 feet).

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

Any Bluetooth-enabled device used with the SYNC system must first be paired with the APIM before it can become operational. Pairing a Bluetooth-enabled device is accomplished through the "Add Device" selection of the phone menu. When pairing a device, the SYNC system generates a unique PIN that must be entered on the Bluetooth-enabled device in order for the pairing process to be successful. There are also some device-specific actions that must take place.

Multiple Bluetooth-enabled phones and Bluetooth-enabled media devices can be paired to the APIM at the same time. The APIM supports an active connection with one Bluetooth-enabled phone and one Bluetooth-enabled media device at a time. If an additional device of either type is paired and made active, the APIM ends any active connection with an already-paired device, and establishes an active connection with the new device.

It is important to understand that while most Bluetooth-enabled devices can pair with the SYNC system, not all Bluetooth-enabled devices have the same level of available features when interacting with the SYNC system. To determine if a Bluetooth-enabled device or feature is supported, review the device compatibility list, refer to the appropriate Ford authorized website to view a list of compatible devices and features.

USB Mode

When playing media files stored on a mass storage device such as a USB flash drive, the APIM only plays supported file types that do not have DRM protection, and are contained on a properly formatted device.

In addition to audio information (track length, track number, etc.), metadata (information such as artist, album title, song title, and genre) may also be sent to the APIM from a device connected to the USB ports. The APIM uses the metadata to create indexes that can be used to sort for particular music based on the preferences. Not all USB devices can send metadata to the APIM. When a new media device is detected by the APIM, it automatically indexes the information. This may take several minutes depending on the amount of data on the device, and is considered normal operation. When a device that was previously connected to the APIM is reconnected, it updates the index rather than creating a new one. This reduces the time needed to index the device.

Media Hub

The media hub is powered by the APIM. The APIM outputs approximately 5 volts on the USB cable to power the USB cable data communication circuits.

The USB ports can be used to power and/or charge a device if the device supports this feature and does not have a power consumption requirement of more than approximately 5 volts and 2.5 amps (about 13 watts).

The media hub is used to communicate data between the two USB ports to the APIM using a single USB cable.

Voice Recognition

When the steering wheel voice button is pressed, the SCCM sends a message to the APIM over the CAN indicating a request to initiate the voice recognition feature.

When voice commands are spoken, the monitored sounds are converted into analog signals by the microphone and sent to the APIM as fluctuating AC voltage. The software within the APIM is used to interpret them.

TTS Feature

The audio signals for the TTS and voice prompt features, ringtones, and audio from the outside device during a phone call, are sent from the APIM to the ACM.

Compass

The GPS antenna (integrated into the satellite radio antenna) is used to acquire the compass heading that displays in the instrument cluster message center display.

The compass data is sent through the GPS cable to the APIM. The APIM uses this data in addition to wheel speed and wheel rotation direction CAN messages from the ABS module to calculate and provide accurate vehicle tracking. The APIM processes the data and transmits it through the LVDS cable to display on the touchscreen display (FDIM). In the event the GPS fix or signal is temporarily lost, the APIM continues to use the CAN messages from the ABS module as well as information from the internal gyroscope and accelerometer to provide vehicle tracking.

Navigation (if equipped)

The APIM provides the touchscreen display (FDIM) with power and ground through the LVDS cable.

The APIM receives GPS data through the GPS coaxial cable. The data is used to display the compass heading on the touchscreen display and to identify the vehicle's location in the event of a collision. The data is also used for the navigation system.

Map data is stored in the APIM. The GPS antenna (integral to the satellite radio antenna) receives GPS data and sends it through the satellite radio/ GPS cable to a splitter. The splitter separates the GPS data and sends it to the APIM. The APIM uses this data in addition to CAN messages from the ABS module to calculate route information and provide accurate navigation tracking.

The APIM processes the data and transmits it though the LVDS cable to display on the touchscreen display.

In the event the GPS fix or signal is temporarily lost, the APIM continues to use the CAN messages from the ABS module as well as information from an internal gyroscope and accelerometer to provide accurate vehicle tracking.

SIRIUS™ Travel Link™ (if equipped)

The satellite radio antenna receives digital signals containing Travel Link™ data. The time intervals for each Travel Link category to update the data vary depending on the category. These signals are routed to the satellite radio receiver (integral to the ACM) from the splitter described in the operation of the navigation system. 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, and the 5-day weather forecast) require the use of GPS data for accuracy. The APIM processes the data from the ACM (together with GPS data obtained from the GPS cable for date-dependent features that require the use of GPS data for accuracy) and sends it to display on the touchscreen display.

SYNC Connect (if equipped)

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.

Vehicles not equipped with Wi-Fi hotspot

The TCU communicates to the cellular network using the TCU antenna. The TCU antenna transmits/receives data to/from the TCU via a coaxial cable.

Vehicles equipped with Wi-Fi hotspot

The primary means of communication between the TCU and the cellular network, uses a cellular antenna integrated into the satellite radio 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.

Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot (if equipped)

The TCU contains an internal Wi-Fi hotspot chip.

The TCU communicates to the cellular network by 2 means. The primary means is through a coaxial cable connected to the satellite antenna. The secondary means is through a coaxial cable to the TCU antenna.