Navigation Mode, Function - GF82.85-P-2012GW
Model 463
as of model year 2013 up to model year 2017
Shown on model 463 except model 463.202
Shown on model 463.202
Function requirements for navigation mode in general
- Status circuit 30g ON
- Signal reception from at least three GPS satellites (Global navigation system)
- Transport mode not active
General navigation mode
The navigation module is integrated in the COMAND controller unit.
The navigation system includes the following functionalities:
- Position finding
- Destination entry
- Route calculation
- Display of navigation maps
- Intersection zoom
- Visual driving instructions in form of pictograms
- Acoustic driving instructions
The location of the vehicle and the direction and distance to the destination are determined with the aid of the navigation system.
After entering or calling up a destination location, route calculation starts. A range of options can be selected for route calculation according to the national version, e.g.:
- "Fast route"
- "Dynamic route"
- "Eco Route"
- "Short route"
- Avoid options (e.g. "Avoid area", "Avoid tunnel", "Avoid ferries", "Avoid toll sticker roads")
If observance of the options is not possible, then the options set are ignored for the sections in question and a message is displayed and signaled audibly. The set options can be displayed and changed at any time. Once calculated, the route is displayed using arrow pictograms on the Audio/COMAND display and this information is also issued as an acoustic notification: "The route is being calculated".
If the vehicle is no longer moving on the precalculated route, the route is recalculated. If the recalculated values are plausible for the navigation system, then the modified route is displayed.
Dynamic route guidance (for "Dynamic route" or "Eco route"): Dynamic route guidance offers an alternative route if the calculated route has a traffic jam or a roadblock on it.
The navigation system also has lists and card data for points of interest (e.g. restaurants, filling stations, parking lots, shopping centers), which can be selected as the destination or for a stopover. Destinations (in vehicles except code ZJ1 (Version for Japan) including complete routes) can be sent over the Internet using the Mercedes-Benz Application Gateway to the vehicle and transferred into the navigation system.
Model 463
as of model year 2013 up to model year 2017
with code ZU8 (National version for USA)
Destination entries or points of interest can be made available to the navigation module of the COMAND controller unit by the Service Center.
The navigation system can be operated with the following components:
- Audio/COMAND control panel
- Control panels on the COMAND controller unit
- Voice control system (VCS [SBS])
- Left multifunction steering wheel button group and right multifunction steering wheel button group
When entered using the Audio/COMAND control panel, the control signals are transmitted via the telematics CAN to the COMAND controller unit.
When entries are made via the control panels on the COMAND controller unit, the control signals are processed within the unit.
When operating with the voice control system, voice input takes place using the hands-free system microphone. Words spoken into the hands-free system microphone are converted into an electrical signal and forwarded via a direct line to the COMAND controller unit.
For voice control of navigation, in particular for destination entry, additional name lists are available in the system. There are additional name lists, e.g. for the following information: Place names for selected towns/cities on the data medium, street names for all towns, town centers.
The control signals of the left and right multifunction steering wheel button groups are sent over the following route:
Steering wheel electronics →
Steering LIN →
Steering column tube module control unit →
Chassis CAN 1 →
Electronic ignition lock control unit →
Chassis CAN 2 →
Instrument cluster →
Interior CAN →
COMAND control unit
The navigation function consists of the following subfunctions:
- General information on GPS position finding
- GPS position finding function sequence
- General information on basic position finding
- Basic position finding function sequence
- Calibration
- Recalibration
- General information on route calculation
- Route guidance function sequence
- General information on dynamic route guidance
- Function sequence for dynamic route guidance (except code ZU8 (USA national version) and except code ZJ1 (Version for Japan))
- Function sequence, for Vehicle Information and Communication System (VICS) via FM multiplexer (with code ZJ1 (Version for Japan))
- Function sequence for dynamic route guidance VICS (with code ZJ1 (Version for Japan), Dealer Option)
- Function sequence for dynamic route guidance with real-time traffic data (RTTD) (with code ZU8 (USA national version))
- Map function
General information on GPS position finding
The GPS is a satellite-based position finding system, which is available on a global basis. GPS position finding is irretrievable after vehicle transport (e.g. by train or ferry or after towing). Recalculating the GPS position (after satellite reception has been interrupted) can take several minutes (up to 5 minutes during initial commissioning). The accuracy of the position finding and the actual calculation are essentially based on the measurement of the run times of the signals sent synchronously by the various satellites. A vital precondition is the synchronicity of the clocks in the satellites and in the receiver. To ensure synchronicity, the receiver is equipped with an automatic time correction that is possible thanks to the satellite signals.
GPS position finding function sequence
The GPS receiver on the COMAND controller unit receives the GPS signals from the left front GPS antenna, in vehicles with code ZU8 (USA national version) over the Global Positioning System antenna splitter. The GPS signals are used by the COMAND controller unit to calculate the current vehicle position (receiver). The direction of travel is determined with the aid of the sequence of locations calculated with the GPS system.
Because GPS operates in the gigahertz range (microwaves) and the signals are weak, the following events may lead to reception interference: Atmospheric interferences (e.g. bad weather, water vapor, fog), multi-path reception due to reflections of the signals (e.g. at building walls), signal shadowing (e.g. in built-up areas, in tunnels, due to tall buildings or trees).
General information on basic position finding
Navigation can be continued without a GPS signal using basic position finding. A possible defect (e.g. in the left front GPS antenna) is therefore not immediately perceptible.
Basic position finding runs parallel to GPS position finding. For basic position finding the COMAND controller unit requires the following information:
- Gyro sensor (angular velocity of rotation, for determining the vehicle orientation)
- Wheel speed and wheel rotation direction (forwards or backwards)
- Steering wheel angle signals
Basic position finding function sequence
For basic position finding, the COMAND controller unit requires signals from the following components:
- Gyro sensor, integrated in the COMAND controller unit, angular velocity of the rotation
- Electronic Stability Program control unit, wheel speed signals and direction of travel
- Steering wheel angle sensor, steering wheel angle signals
The data from the gyro sensor integrated in the COMAND controller unit is forwarded within the COMAND controller unit.
The wheel speed signals including direction of travel are sent over the following route:
Electronic Stability Program control unit →
Chassis CAN 1 →
Electronic ignition lock control unit →
Interior CAN →
COMAND control unit
The signals from the steering wheel angle sensor are read in by the steering column tube module control unit, and forwarded over chassis CAN 1, the electronic ignition lock control unit and the interior CAN to the COMAND controller unit.
The signals received are used by the COMAND controller unit to calculate the instantaneous position of the vehicle (degrees of longitude and latitude). The basic position finding calculation is performed approx. once per second.
Position finding errors in position finding, rolling backwards with "circuit 15 OFF" (ignition switched off) or transport of the vehicle falsify the basic position finding. In both instances the deviation is automatically corrected by the COMAND controller unit's integrated navigation processor upon reception of GPS data.
Calibration
The calibration following a tire replacement is performed automatically.
Recalibration
Because of the tire abrasion, a constant recalibration of the tire circumference is required. Recalibration is carried out automatically, and uses the difference between the calculated and actually traveled distance between two turning points that has been determined using map-based position finding.
General information on route calculation
Route calculation is accomplished using the options set to the best possible extent. If observance of the options is not possible, then the options set are ignored for the sections in question and a message is displayed and signaled audibly.
The set criteria and options can be displayed and changed at any time. After a successful calculation, the route is displayed on the map and this information is then relayed acoustically - "Route is being calculated".
Route guidance function sequence
The integrated navigation processor continuously compares the route calculation data with the position finding data and uses the data to deduce measures for further route guidance.
The route guidance is carried out by outputting visual and acoustic information and is divided up into the following areas:
- Map route guidance
- Route guidance through driving lane recommendations
- Route guidance by means of voice output
Map route guidance
The signals for visual display of the route guidance (map navigation) are generated by the COMAND controller unit and sent over a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) line to the Audio/COMAND display. The Audio/COMAND display is switched on over the telematics CAN by the COMAND controller unit.
Route guidance through driving lane recommendations
For certain turnoff situations on multiple-land exit points (e.g. freeway intersection) driving lane recommendations are shown in the bottom line. In addition, when a turnoff recommendation is given, the distance to the actual turnoff point is also displayed by means of a bar graph. The lanes have arrows assigned to them, which indicate on which lane the destination can be reached or the best way to reach it.
With day design, the following colors are valid for representation in the Audio/COMAND display:
Midnight blue: Indicates the best or the advised lane.
Light blue: The lane is correct but another lane change will soon be required.
Gray: The lane will not take you to the destination.
The instrument cluster only displays the midnight blue arrows.
Route guidance by means of voice output
In vehicles except code EU9 (Harman Kardon® Logic 7® surround sound system) the voice output for route guidance is sent by the COMAND controller unit over direct lines to the speaker system.
In vehicles with code EU9 (Harman Kardon® Logic 7® surround sound system) the COMAND controller unit sends the voice output over MOST to the sound system amplifier control unit, which amplifies the signals and forwards them to the speaker system.
General information on dynamic route guidance
With dynamic route guidance ("Dynamic route" or "Eco route") the current traffic situation is taken into account when appropriate traffic data is received. The traffic data recorder in the COMAND controller unit decodes the traffic information and forwards it internally to the navigation processor upon request.
The navigation processor makes the decision whether the route should be changed. If necessary, a message that the route should be changed is output via the speaker system.
Function sequence for dynamic route guidance (except code ZU8 (USA national version) and except code ZJ1 (Version for Japan))
In model 463.202, the traffic messages are received over the following route:
Telephone, radio and stationary heater antenna →
Telephone, radio and stationary heater antenna splitter (with code EH2 (Comfort telephony) or with code H12 (Stationary heater)) →
AM, FM and FM 2 antenna amplifier →
COMAND control unit
In model 463, except model 463.202, the traffic messages are received through FM 1 over the following route:
Right side window antenna →
AM and FM antenna amplifier →
COMAND control unit
In model 463, except model 463.202, the traffic messages are received through FM 2 over the following route:
Left side window antenna →
TV 1 antenna amplifier →
COMAND control unit
In model 463, except model 463.202, the traffic messages are received via the digital radio (with code EF6 (Digital radio (DAB))) over the following route:
Right side window antenna →
TV 3 and DAB antenna amplifier →
TV antenna splitter (with code EM8 (TV tuner)) →
Digital Audio Broadcasting control unit →
MOST →
COMAND control unit
Function sequence for Vehicle Information and Communication System (VICS) via FM multiplexer (with code ZJ1 (Version for Japan))
The driver is provided with vital information by the VICS on the current traffic situation. Traffic jams and holdups are shown on the map, however they are not incorporated into the dynamic route guidance.
The VICS messages over FM 1 are received over the following route:
Right side window antenna →
AM and FM antenna amplifier →
COMAND control unit
The VICS messages over FM 2 are received over the following route:
Left side window antenna →
TV 1 antenna amplifier →
COMAND control unit
The VICS information is processed in the FM multiplexer integrated into the COMAND controller unit. The information is then displayed on the Audio/COMAND display by means of the low voltage differential signaling line.
Function sequence for dynamic route guidance VICS (with code ZJ1 (Version for Japan), Dealer Option)
For dynamic route guidance using VICS, the vehicle communicates with the VICS beacons (transmitting towers) installed at the side of the road that send out signals in the reception range of 2.5 Gigahertz and 5.8 Gigahertz or infrared signals. Received signals are sent to the COMAND controller unit where they are decoded. The COMAND controller unit stores the traffic messages and makes them available to the integrated navigation processor.
The COMAND controller unit receives the signals for dynamic route guidance from the following components:
- Vehicle Information and Communication System (VICS) control unit (for signals in the 2.5 gigahertz range or infrared signals)
- DSRC antenna and DSRC control unit (for signals in range of 5.8 Gigahertz)
Function sequence for dynamic route guidance with real-time traffic data (RTTD) (with code ZU8 (USA national version))
RTTD is real time traffic data emitted via the "Sirius" satellite radio provider, the reception and processing of which is enabled by the Satellite Digital Audio Radio (SDAR) control unit. The real time traffic data contain accident and traffic jam messages as well as traffic flow information. The real-time traffic data is available around the major cities in the USA, and is transmitted every 5 minutes.
The Satellite Digital Audio Radio (SDAR) control unit receives the real time traffic data via a direct line from the SDAR antenna and provides it to the navigation system of the COMAND controller unit via MOST. The COMAND controller unit uses the data to calculate alternative routes and displays them on the Audio/COMAND display over LVDS lines.
The COMAND controller unit uses the data to calculate alternative routes and displays them on the Audio/COMAND display over LVDS lines.
Map function
Map display is always controlled by the COMAND controller unit. The following display functions are supported:
- Route guidance map
- Positioning map
- Route map
- Scrollable map
- Destination entry map
The signals are sent over the low voltage differential signaling line from the COMAND controller unit to the Audio/COMAND display.
| Electrical function diagram for navigation mode (COMAND) function | PE82.85-P-2063-97ZGA | ||
| Overview of system components, telematics | GF82.85-P-9999GW |