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Home >> BMW >> 2017 >> i3 Base >> Repair and Diagnosis >> General Information >> OEM General Information >> Functional Description -- I3_I01 >> Telematic Communication Box >> Brief component description >> Aerials

Brief component description: Aerials

Up to 3 different aerials are required for the telematics function:

Roof aerial 

The housing of the roof-mounted aerial contains the following aerials:

(GSM stands for Global Standard for Mobile Communications)

(GPS stands for Global Positioning System)

Within the scope of certain optional equipment, further additional aerials which are not for the telephone or telematics may be installed in the roof-mounted aerial (e. g. Digital Audio Broadcasting, Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service).

The following illustration shows the Roof aerial using the example of F01.

G09841292Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Item Explanation
1 Roof aerial
2 Roof aerial housing
3 Telephone aerial (GSM 2) for telematics services
4 Telephone aerial (GSM 1) for mobile phone
5 DAB L aerial (frequency range: L band), European version or SDARS aerial, US version
6 GPS aerial
7 Connection for telephone aerial (GSM 2)
8 Connection for GPS aerial
9 Connection for telephone aerial (GSM 1)
10 Connection for DAB L aerial, European version or SDARS aerial, US version

Emergency GSM aerial 

The emergency GSM aerial is secured to the storage shelf (can vary depending on vehicle type). If the restraint systems are activated, the Crash Safety Module sends a signal to the Telematic Communication Box (TCB). The control unit automatically initiates an emergency call, which also contains the location of the vehicle.

An aerial selector is integrated in the Telematic Communication Box (TCB). The aerial selector is used to switch over to the emergency GSM aerial if the GSM aerial in the roof-mounted aerial fails (e.g. due to an accident). Switch-over is carried out automatically if the GSM aerial in the roof-mounted aerial has poorer reception than the emergency GSM aerial.

If the vehicle is not fitted with a navigation system, the Telematic Communication Box (TCB) has its own GPS module and its own connection to the GPS aerial. If the vehicle is fitted with a navigation system, the Telematic Communication Box (TCB) is powered from the head unit with the position data.

During an emergency call, the data is transferred to a server and stored. The data can be used by the service provider for initiating the rescue measures.

G09841650Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Item Explanation
1 Emergency GSM aerial
2 Aerial output