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VW Polo V
The Authors 1 Body Computer Module Highly Integrated Body Electronic Control Unit
The functions of the body ECU have previously been performed by two control units installed in parallel in cars in the Polo class: The onboard supply control unit incorporated the functions for controlling lights and wipers as well as registering terminal occupancy, load management and the gateway. The comfort control unit, meanwhile, was responsible for the functions of central locking and the alarm system as well as being the radio receiver for processing the signals from the remote control key. For the new Polo, a concept has been developed to combine the functions of both these control units into one highly integrated electronic module, called the Body Computer Module (BCM), Figure 1. This has been made possible firstly by technical progress leading to greater integration density of components and, secondly, the availability of development methods for reliable mastery of highly complex and interacting functions and variants. The objective was to use the new BCM in all Group models based on the Polo series. This meant configuring the software for the many different functions of the individual models in such a way as to allow it to be adapted to the vehicle during production. The various functional requirements (approximately 24,000 in all) of the individual vehicle models were collected and adapted as part of the software development by means of new methods for requirement management (requirement engineering), virtual prototypes and functional simulations. This means the BCM can now be used worldwide as a module in more than 24 different vehicle derivatives. A further new requirement concerned dispensing with the external radio aerial for receiving signals from the remote control key. The necessary ranges of 30 m to 50 m were to be achieved by means of an aerial integrated in the BCM. Tests with various types and shapes of aerial showed that a circuit board aerial represents the optimum solution here. However, the area around the circuit board aerial has to be kept almost entirely free from interference, which can only be achieved by strictly separating the PWM power control unit from the radio receiver module and having them placed as far apart as possible. The development of this complex BCM was assisted by innovations in semiDipl.-Ing. Heinz Lau is Specialist Group Spokesperson Polo in Car Electrics Development at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg (Germany).
Christoph Blume is SET Spokesperson for Vehicle Electrical System and Add-Ins in Development at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg (Germany).
Dr. Carsten Krmke is Sub-Department Head of Body Computer in Development at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg (Germany).
Andreas Koblitz is SET Spokesperson for Infotainment in Development at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg (Germany). Figure 1: Body Computer Module (BCM) ATZextra I May 2009 43
VW POLO V
conductor technology. New microcontrollers with significantly better performance and much more memory make it possible for the full set of software modules still required according to the requirements of specific markets and/or brands to be kept in the BCM and to activate them according to requirements, Figure 2. The set of software modules in question is derived after a process of correcting brand conflicts. As a result, Volkswagen can accommodate the requirements of every individual market by having an optimally adapted BCM. Combining two control units also has the effect of reducing weight, consumption and CO2 emissions for the vehicle. In addition, the material saving allowed manufacturing costs to be reduced considerably.
Another component is the possibility of parallel operation via touchscreen and soft keys or by a turn-and-press dial (dual operating concept). Whilst driving, it is possible to use the turn-and-press dial because operating the touchscreen would be awkward in this context since it requires visual contact. When the vehicle is stationary, however, the rapidity of the touchscreen cannot be beaten when the driver is able to devote his or her full attention to it. This combination gives the user a full range of options.
2.2 Navigation
A navigation system is becoming more and more of an essential feature, particularly considering how many media and comfort functions can also be operated using the system. Standards have already become established in this context and have been carefully integrated. For example, the usual functions are available for entering destinations. However, operation has been simplified and streamlined using the hub concept. Addresses are entered in the usual way using a keyboardlike typewriter operated using the touchscreen or the turn-and-press dial (dual operating concept). User guidance is provided to avoid getting lost in sub-menus. Associative special destination searching is a special feature. In this, it is no longer necessary to have to know the category of a special destination. Rather, it is sufficient to input a keyword as well as the place (location or destination),
then the destination can be selected from the list of suggestions. Keywords such as food, car, cinema, etc. are sufficient to find the required special destination quickly without needing to know the precise text of the special destinations name or its category. The most frequently used categories for special destinations, fuel, parking, can be found right in the main level (hub) of the navigation screen, making it possible to search for the nearest filling station or car park in only two steps. Once the destination has been defined, route guidance takes the form of a quasi three-dimensional map display. The map contains features from the surrounding area (railway lines, rivers, residential or industrial areas), it rotates and zooms smoothly and changes the viewing angle (3D effect) when a decision point is close, in cooperation with the autozoom function. This means the driver is always offered the optimum map orientation without the need to intervene. Finally, the driver will also notice the precise location finding. An integrated system can offer much more precise route guidance because it can find locations more reliably and accurately. This is because location finding can be maintained for a certain time even without GPS if the car happens to drive where no GPS signal can be reached. This is achieved using sensors already existing in the vehicle, and by connecting the device to the CAN network.
VW POLO V
Retrofit systems frequently encounter difficulties, such as inability to detect junctions in tunnels or suddenly changing the indicated position of the vehicle in narrow streets between tall buildings. The RNS 310, in contrast, offers complete mastery of such situations, giving unambiguous information by using data from the ABS and ESP control unit. Seamless routing makes it possible to combine map areas on the SD card. Copy protection ensures that the navigation data on the SD card can only be used in the device in which it was created. The advantage of using an SD card as the navigation database is the significantly faster access time it offers. All procedures in the navigation system are thereby accelerated significantly, and there are hardly any waiting times any longer. Furthermore, the required country data can be copied from the CD onto the SD card in the device. There, the data is combined to make one overall data set. A 4 GB SD card must be inserted in order to generate a Europewide data set. Data media are available for most countries in Europe.
tion, the user will also find an updated list of radio stations available, and can select the station from the list by means of the RDS name display. By pressing the info button whilst listening to FM stations, it is possible to display the radio text that is being broadcast, therefore finding out about the song or artist name for the current broadcast.
pleasure without restrictions. The mobile phone preparation also available as an option offers safe hands-free telephony when driving, with instructions from the navigation system being provided in a muted yet audible way whilst the music is switched off.
2.5.2 SD Player
There is a slot for SD-HC cards in the front of the unit. The SD card can hold navigation data if the user copies the data from the CD onto the SD card in the unit. Copy protection is activated so that the database on the SD card is linked to the unit number. This means the SD card cannot be used for navigation in a second unit. The SD card can also store MP3 files. MP3 files can be played back from the SD card during navigation.
2.6 Hardware
The outer appearance of the unit is based on the new equipment line from Volkswagen, with chrome embellishers on the hard keys, chrome-plated buttons and the high-gloss insert around the screen underlining the premium claim of the brand. The high-quality display represents a particular highlight. A 5-inch WQVGA TFT display in normally black technology is used for the greatest contrast and particularly clear colour reproduction. LED backlighting with an intensity of more than 400 mCd ensures that the display is sharp and clear. In addition, the backlighting is adjusted to the lighting conditions in the vehicle by means of a sensor.
can be connected. Above all, the ability to integrate iPods and iPhones from Apple will be something that many people will find popular. Depending on
which music format the customer prefers, it is possible to play back songs in MP3, WMA, OGG Vorbis and AAC formats from any storage medium. In addi-
tion, playlists in PLS, B4S, ASX and WPL are supported. This means the customer has access to his or her entire digital music collection at any time, and can enjoy listening to the music through the cars sound system. It is possible to search for music conveniently using the touch-sensitive display of the radio or navigation system. The stored track information is shown clearly on the display of the head unit and on the combination display. The glove compartment or a specially configured rack can be used for storing the connected device. The battery of the MP3 player is charged up when it is connected. The MEDIA-IN multimedia interface for various devices such as USB, iPod, mini USB and the ability to transfer updates guarantee that the system will remain flexible and retain its compatibility for a long time to come. n
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