Cockpit management and data system (COMAND), function - GF82.85-P-0003GZJ

MODEL 164.1/8, 251 with CODE (498) Japan version with CODE (529) HIGH Class Japan up to Model Year 2008

Fig 1: Identifying Comand Operating, Display And Controller Unit

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

The COMAND operating, display and controller unit is a central operating and display unit for all the entertainment and communication systems integrated in the vehicle. It can also be controlled with the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel (MFL).

Location shown on model 164

Fig 2: Identifying Comand Operating, Display And Controller Unit

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Location shown on model 251

Fig 3: Identifying Comand Operating, Display And Controller Unit

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

The COMAND operating, display and controller unit controls the following system components:

Integrated function components:
- Navigation (including the Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and gyrometer)
- TV tuner
- DVD video, CD video
- DVD, CD audio
- Frequency modulation (FM) multiplex tuner (for the Vehicle Information and Communication System (VICS))
- Voice control system (VCS [SBS]) (Code (813) Voice control system (VCS [SBS])
- Backup camera (RFK) (Code (218) Backup camera)
External function components:
- Audio gateway control unit (N93/1)
- Amplifier for sound system (N40/3) (Code (810) Sound system)
- VICS control unit (A2/37), for dynamic destination-oriented navigation system during navigation (dealer option)
- Electronic Toll Collection control unit (ETC) (A50/3) for automatic payment of toll fees (dealer option)
- Microphone array control unit (N41/5)
- TV antenna selector (A2/79)
- Portable CTEL connection in telephone slot in center console
- AUX jack in glove box (for corresponding analog devices)
- Backup camera control unit (N66/2)

Fig 4: Overview Of Full Equipment (Left View) - Shown On Model 164.1

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Overview of full equipment, left view shown on model 164.1, production period up to 31.5.06

Fig 5: Overview Of Full Equipment (Right View) - Shown On Model 164.1

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Overview of full equipment, right view shown on model 164.1, production period up to 31.5.06

Fig 6: Overview Of Full Equipment - Shown On Model 164.8

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Overview of full equipment, shown on model 164.8, production period as of 1.6.06

Fig 7: Overview Of Full Equipment (Left View) - Shown On Model 251

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Overview of full equipment, left view shown on model 251, production period up to 31.5.06

Fig 8: Overview Of Full Equipment (Right View) - Shown On Model 251

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Overview of full equipment, right view shown on model 251, production period up to 31.5.06

Fig 9: Overview Of Full Equipment - Shown On Model 251

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Overview of full equipment, shown on model 251, production period as of 1.6.06

Fig 10: Full Equipment Block Diagram

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Block diagram, full equipment, production period up to 31.5.06

Fig 11: Full Equipment Block Diagram

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Block diagram, full equipment, production period as of 1.6.06

Function requirements:

The functions are all available when circuit 15R is active.

If circuit 15R is not active, the functions of the MOST subscribers are activated when the COMAND operating, display and controller unit is switched on. Operation via the multifunction steering wheel (except volume control) and display in the multifunction display (A1p13) of the instrument cluster is then not possible.

Radio reception

A radio signal tuner is integrated into the audio gateway (AGW) control unit. The tuner is integrated into the MOST and can be operated from the COMAND operating, display and controller unit.

To enable this function to be operated, the AGW control unit generates an interface. Audio signals are amplified in the AGW control unit and forwarded to the vehicle speakers.

With code (810) Sound system, the audio signals are sent via the MOST to the amplifier for sound system (Code (810) Sound system), where they are amplified and forwarded to the vehicle speakers.

Playback of DVD and CD video using the COMAND operating, display and controller unit

A DVD drive is integrated into the COMAND operating, display and controller unit. Alongside audio media, video media can also be played in a standardized NTSC video format. The drive is also used by the navigation system to play the required navigation DVD.

The DVD drive supports the following formats:

DVD video
DVD ROM
DVD audio
CD video
CD audio

The drive has a "Disc Auto Detect" function.

A hard key is located on the housing for the "Disc Eject" function.

Playing CDs in the CD changer

To play music CDs, the vehicle's glove compartment has a CD changer (code (819) 6-disk CD changer) with single slot integrated into it. The interface is generated and displayed by the COMAND operating, display and controller unit. The current track numbers and the current elapsed track runtime are displayed. If the CD changer was selected using a soft key, then the CD slots (CD 1 to CD 6) of the CD changer are also displayed in which a CD is located, Operation:

"<</>>" Briefly pressed: Next/previous track;

Long press: Search Forward/Backward

"RPT" Short press: Repeat current track; long press: Repeat current CD

"RDM" Short press: Random play of CD tracks; long press: Random play of all tracks on all CDs

"SCAN" Intro scan (first 8 seconds of track played as "track intro")

Television reception

A TV single tuner is integrated as standard in the COMAND operating, display and controller unit. TV signals are received by the rear window and side window antennas. The following modules are used to send the TV signals via high frequency (HF) lines to the TV antenna selector:

Left antenna amplifier module
Right antenna amplifier module
TV rear window antenna amplifier

The best 4 TV signals are forwarded to the COMAND operating, display and controller unit.

The interface is generated by the COMAND operating, display and controller unit.

The TV function is only available when the vehicle is stationary and the parking brake engaged.

Navigation system display and control

The navigation processor is integrated into the COMAND operating, display and controller unit and can be controlled on the screen.

The GPS receiver and the turn rate sensor (Gyro) required by the navigation are also integrated into the COMAND operating, display and control unit.

The COMAND operating, display and controller unit is responsible for displaying maps and pictograms, as well as the general management of navigation entries.

The VICS control unit, which is available as a "dealer option" for the general Japanese market, is used to realize the dynamic destination-oriented navigation. The dynamic destination-oriented navigation is a special form of navigation, in which current traffic messages are incorporated into the route calculation.

Making phone calls

The user can make a telephone call in the vehicle using the portable CTEL (A34/6). To be able to utilize this function, the user must connect a portable CTEL that is compatible with the Japanese mobile phone system to the preinstalled standard PDC plug (portable CTEL separation point) in the telephone slot of the center console.

The functions are shown on the following displays or screen:

Multifunction display of instrument cluster
Portable cellular telephone
COMAND operating, display and controller unit

FM multiplexer

Known as VICS, the Vehicle Information and Communication System is a radio service free of charge in Japan. The driver receives vital information from the VICS concerning the current traffic situation (e.g. roadworks, stop-and-go or slow-moving traffic). The antenna signal is routed via an antenna line from the roof antenna module to the VICS antenna splitter, where the signal is split up into the radio signal (to the AGW control unit) and the VICS signal (to the COMAND operating, display and controller unit). In the COMAND operating, display and controller unit the VICS signal is processed in an integrated FM multiplexer and the information is displayed on the screen of the COMAND operating, display and controller unit.

FM multiplex information is, e.g. weather forecasts, earthquake warnings and stock exchange prices.

Voice control system (VCS)

Voice control is designed to relieve the user during a journey and provide him/her with access to a series of functions without diverting attention from the traffic situation. The functions are controlled by a software integrated into the COMAND operating, display and controller unit.

Pressing the VCS [SBS] ON button on the steering wheel serves to activate the VCS [SBS] and pressing the VCS [SBS] OFF button deactivates the VCS [SBS]. Once the VCS [SBS] is operational, a signal generated in the COMAND operating, display and controller unit is sounded.

After the signal, the user can enter into dialogue with the system.

The system supports the Japanese language only.

The following elements can be controlled using the VCS [SBS]:

Telephone components
Audio/video components
Navigation components
Help functions (with commands displayed on the COMAND operating, display and controller unit)

If problems occur with the command input by the user, the system responds with an appropriate command. The command is generated in the COMAND operating, display and controller unit and emitted over the vehicle speakers.

The following commands, for example, are possible:

You are speaking too quietly, please speak louder.
Command not understood, please repeat.
Wrong command, please use correct command.

A comprehensive description of the VCS [SBS] is available in the system description entitled "Voice control system".

"Help" function

In the event that the user requires assistance for the individual functions in the COMAND operating, display and controller unit, he/she can use the "Help" command to display a pop-up window on the screen of the COMAND operating, display and controller unit.

The help functions are restricted to the base functions such as, e.g. audio and navigation.

Audio signal control

The COMAND operating, display and controller unit is responsible for managing the audio sources in the MOST. Operation in vehicles with code (810) Sound system is effected using the COMAND operating, display and controller unit. The functionality is processed in the amplifier for sound system.

Electronic Toll Collection System (ETC)

The ETC is a "dealer option". It serves to simplify the payment of toll fees for toll roads in Japan.

To be able to use the system the electronic toll collection (ETC) control unit must be installed in the vehicle;. A separate antenna (electronic toll collection (ETC) antenna) is used by the electronic toll collection (ETC) control unit to communicate with the toll center and it automatically processes all payment modalities, without the driver having to stop the vehicle. For automatic payment a special card must be inserted into the electronic toll collection (ETC) control unit.

The required data concerning the user and recorded previously paid toll fees are stored on the card.

The electronic toll collection (ETC) control unit is connected over an RS-232 interface to the COMAND operating, display and control unit.

RFK

The vehicles are equipped with an assist system, which should assist the driver when maneuvering while backing up and parking. The backup camera system (Dynamic Rear View Monitor) consists of the following components:

Backup camera (B84/3), which records the immediate surroundings of the rear end of the vehicle
Passenger-side outside mirror backup camera (B84/6), with which the passenger side can be seen
Backup camera control unit as central processor unit.

The backup camera control unit directly forwards the camera pictures of the backup camera and of the passenger-side outside mirror backup camera via a screened line to the COMAND operating, display and controller unit.

You can find a detailed description of the backup camera in the "Backup camera" system description.

Backup camera (RFK), function	Model 164 with code (218) Backup camera, except code (849) Spare tire holder/spare tire Model 251 with code (218) Backup camera	GF54.65-P-0005GZJ
TV function		GF82.60-P-1999GZJ
Audio functions		GF82.60-P-2000GZJ
Sound amplifier, component description	With code (810) Sound system	GF82.62-P-3009GZJ
Audio gateway control unit, component description	Model 164.1, 251	GF82.62-P-3119GZJ
Audio gateway control unit, component description	Model 164.8	GF82.62-P-3119GZY
Speaker system, component description		GF82.62-P-4220GZJ
CD player with changer component description	With code (819) 6-disk CD changer	GF82.64-P-3112GZJ
Microphone array control unit, component description	Model 164.1	GF82.70-P-4119GZJ
	Model 164.8	GF82.70-P-4119GZY
	Model 251	GF82.70-P-4119RTJ
Handsfree system microphone, component description		GF82.70-P-4121GZJ
Telephone mode, function		GF82.85-P-2007GZJ
Navigation mode, function		GF82.85-P-2012GZJ
COMAND operating, display and controller unit, component description		GF82.85-P-3134GZJ
Multifunction steering wheel button group component description		GF82.90-P-4001GZJ