Reversing Camera (RFK), Function - GF54.65-P-0005GW
Model 463 (except 463.342)
as of Model year 2013 up to Model year 2019 with code FR8 (Rear view camera)
Model 463.342
with code FR8 (Rear view camera)
Shown on Model 463 as of production date September 1st, 2016
Shown on Model 463 up to production date August 31st, 2016
Function requirements, general
- Circuit 15 ON: The electronic ignition lock control unit send the circuit 15 status as of production date September 1st, 2016 over chassis CAN 2 to the reversing camera, and up to production date August 31st, 2016 over the interior CAN, SAM control unit and the reversing camera power supply module to the reversing camera.
- Rear-end door closed (as of production date September 1st, 2016): If the rear-end door is not closed, a warning message is superimposed on the image shown on the Audio/COMAND display. The guide lines are hidden from view. The rear control unit sends the status of the rear-end door (open or closed) over the interior CAN, the electronic ignition lock control unit and chassis CAN 2 to the reversing camera.
- Function of reversing camera enabled through the control menu of the COMAND controller unit
During commissioning and after replacing the reversing camera or the rear-end door, the reversing camera must be re-coded using the diagnosis unit. The reversing camera is calibrated automatically after initial startup.
Reversing camera, general
As of production date September 1st, 2016:
The reversing camera is an optical parking aid. Its tasks include a surrounding field recording of the rear driving area, the generation of dynamic and static guide lines and the sending of the picture data to the COMAND controller unit. The pictures recorded by the reversing camera using an extended angle of vision of ∠ > 180° are processed accordingly by the reversing camera.
The current driving path, based on the vehicle dimensions, vehicle speed and front wheel angle, is shown in the Audio/COMAND display.
The reversing camera encompasses the following sub-functions:
- Function sequence for activating/deactivating reversing + camera
- Function sequence for picture recognition, picture output
Up to production date August 31st, 2016:
The reversing camera function assists the driver when backing up.
Function sequence for activating/deactivating reversing camera
(as of production date September 1st, 2016)
The reversing camera can be automatically activated or deactivated by engaging gear range "R".
Automatic activation/deactivation of the reversing camera must be enabled at the corresponding operating level of the COMAND controller unit. To do so, the COMAND controller unit sends the status of the function via interior CAN, electronic ignition lock control unit and chassis CAN 2 to the reversing camera. If the gear range "R" is engaged, the reversing camera is activated.
The fully integrated transmission control unit transmits the information about the engaged gear range via the drive train CAN, the CDI control unit (with diesel engine) or the ME-SFI [ME] control unit (with gasoline engine), chassis CAN 1, the electronic ignition lock control unit and chassis CAN 2 to the reversing camera. On Model 176, the fully integrated transmission control unit sends the engaged gear range via the drive train CAN, powertrain control unit, chassis CAN 1, the electronic ignition lock control unit and chassis CAN 2 to the reversing camera.
Function sequence for picture recognition, picture output (as of production date September 1st, 2016)
If the reversing camera is activated by engaging reverse gear, an appropriate request is transmitted for activation of the COMAND controller unit via chassis CAN 2, the electronic ignition lock control unit and the interior CAN to the COMAND controller unit.
The reversing camera then sends the recorded pictures to the COMAND controller unit over an LVDS line. The COMAND controller unit then activates the Audio/COMAND display over the telematics CAN. The COMAND controller unit processes the pictures and transmits the picture data via an LVDS line to the Audio/COMAND display.
To optimize the display of the pictures shown, in addition to the optical compensation in the lens, an electronic compensation through the reversing camera is also carried out.
The reversing camera also calculates the guide lines (lane and exterior contour of vehicle) that are superimposed onto the displayed pictures, taking the front wheel angle and stored vehicle parameters into account. The current front wheel angle is detected by the steering column tube module control unit. The steering column tube module control unit sends them over chassis CAN 1, the electronic ignition lock control unit and chassis CAN 2 to the reversing camera.
The reversing camera function enables the driver to select between the following parking modes:
- Maneuvering mode
- Trailer mode (with code Q55 (Trailer hitch, ball head), except Model 463.242)
- Wide-angle mode
The relevant selection is made via the system menu of the COMAND controller unit in the appropriate control level.
If the reversing camera was previously operated in maneuvering mode, the maneuvering mode is activated again when the "R" gear range is engaged. This does not apply when the reversing camera was previously operated in trailer mode.
Maneuvering mode:
The maneuvering mode assists the driver when reversing while parking. In doing so, dynamic guide lines are also shown on the Audio/COMAND display in addition to the pictures recorded by the reversing camera.
Display of dynamic and static guide lines (when wheels are turned), shown: Model 463
Virtual tire track (yellow tracked lines):
As soon as the driver engages gear range "R", the yellow tire tracks are shown. They indicate to the driver the path which the vehicle would follow with the current steering wheel angle. These curves are automatically adapt as the front wheel angle changes.
Parking procedure:
To park, the driver must now adjust the steering angle so that the right I or left outside line of the yellow tire track in the Audio/COMAND display is touching the relevant parking space marking. This parking space marking can, e.g. be another vehicle or a line on the asphalt. The driver must then continue reversing and adapting the steering wheel angle until the parking space markings run parallel to the current direction of travel.
Virtual vehicle width (static, white guide lines):
Next the driver must turn the steering wheel back into the straight-ahead position in order to drive in a straight line up to the final park position in the parking space. While doing so, the driver can check -using the white guide lines - whether the vehicle is in a straight position relative to the parking space, and whether the parking space is wide enough.
The white guide lines symbolize the vehicle width including the outside mirrors.
The distance lines inform the driver of the distances between the virtual bumper and obstacles.
Trailer mode (with code Q55 (Trailer hitch, ball head), except Model 463.242):
Trailer mode supports the driver when reversing to a trailer by zooming to the trailer hitch's ball head.
When reversing, special guide lines are also shown on the Audio/COMAND display in addition to the pictures recorded by the reversing camera.
Display of distance lines in the trailer mode, shown on Model 463
Trajectory of ball head for continued reversing (yellow guide line):
Shutoff criteria:
The virtual steering angle (yellow guide line) and the distance line (red guide lines) are shown as soon as the driver engages gear range "R".
The virtual steering angle indicate to the driver the path which the vehicle would follow with the current steering wheel angle. This curve is automatically adapted to the situation as the steering angle changes.
The length of the guide line corresponds to approx. s = 1 m.
The distance line is a fixed display on the Audio/COMAND display, and it notifies the driver about the distance, within a radius of 0.30 m, around the ball head of the trailer hitch.
The guide lines are hidden on the Audio/COMAND display during a correction attempt (forward travel) and re-displayed when gear range "R" is engaged again, taking the following parameters into consideration:
- Time period t < 15 s
- Vehicle speed during forward travel v < 10 km/h
- Route for forward travel s < 10 m forward travel
If these parameters are exceeded, the image of the rear area recorded by the reversing camera is removed from the Audio/COMAND display.
The reversing camera then remains in standby mode.
The vehicle speed is calculated on the basis of the wheel speeds. The Electronic Stability Program control unit transmits this information via chassis CAN 1, the electronic ignition lock control unit and chassis CAN 2 to the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster calculates the vehicle speed from this information and transmits this via chassis CAN 2 to the reversing camera.
The reversing camera is deactivated under the following conditions:
- Vehicle speed during forward travel v > 10 km/h
- Route for forward travel s > 10 m
- Time period t > 15 s when gear range "R" not engaged
- Gear range "P" engaged
- Circuit 15 OFF
Wide-angle mode:
The wide-angle mode supports the driver when reversing in unclear traffic areas. The reversing area is shown on the Audio/COMAND display in a three-part view with an angle of &3x2222; > 180°. The provides the driver, e.g. when reversing out of a narrow lane, to have a good view of a traversing road in good time.
Display of area to rear of vehicle in wide-angle mode, shown: Model 463
Function sequence for reversing camera (up to production date August 31st, 2016)
The reversing camera function is activated when the reverse gear is engaged.
The "reverse gear engaged" status is defined by the engaged gear range. The fully integrated transmission control unit sends the engaged gear range over the drive train CAN, CDI control unit (for diesel engine) or the ME-SFI [ME] control unit (for gasoline engine) and chassis CAN 1 to the electronic ignition lock control unit. On Model 176, the fully integrated transmission control unit sends the engaged gear range via the drive train CAN, the powertrain control unit and chassis CAN 1 to the electronic ignition lock control unit.
The electronic ignition lock control unit generates the "reverse gear engaged" signal and sends it to the SAM control unit via the interior CAN.
The SAM control unit activates the backup lamp function and at the same time actuates the power supply module for the reversing camera.
The power supply module for the reversing camera supplies the reversing camera with power, reads in the video signals from the reversing camera via the CVBS line and forwards them to the COMAND controller unit.
The COMAND controller unit activates the Audio/COMAND display via the telematics CAN. The pictures captured by the reversing camera are then transmitted directly via the CVBS line to the Audio/COMAND display and shown there.
| Electrical function schematic, reversing camera | Model 463 (except 463.342) as of Model year 2017 up to Model year 2019 with code FR8 (Rear view camera) Model 463.342 as of Model year 2017 with code FR8 (Rear view camera) | PE54.65-P-2051-97ZGB | |
| Model 463 as of Model year 2013 up to Model year 2017 with code FR8 (Rear view camera) | PE54.65-P-2051-97ZGA | ||
| Overview of system components of parking assistance systems | GF54.00-P-9997GW |