COMAND controller unit, component description - GF82.85-P-3136SX

MODEL 216.3, 221.0 /1 except CODE (494) USA version except CODE (498) Japan version up to Model Year 8

Illustrated on model 221

Fig 1: Locating Command Controller Unit

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Shown on model 221 with code (814) DVD changer

Fig 2: Locating Command Controller Unit (With Code (814))

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Location

The COMAND controller unit is installed into the center console.

Task

The COMAND controller unit centrally controls the following external components as well as systems:

Audio system (e.g. radio tuner, audio CD)
COMAND with single DVD disk drive (without navigation)
With code (218) Backup camera
with code (388) Universal Portable CTEL Interface System
With code (527) COMAND APS with Single DVD disk drive (with navigation)
with CODE (810) Sound system
With code (813) Voice control system (VCS)
With code (814) DVD changer
With code (863) Digital/analog TV tuner
With code (864) Rear entertainment system (model 221)

Design

Integrated into the COMAND controller unit are the following:

Digital versatile disk (DVD) drive
Central computer
Interfaces to the Media Oriented System Transport (MOST), telematics CAN, and central CAN
DVD changer (with code (814) DVD changer)
Navigation processor (with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD disk drive (with navigation)

Function

The COMAND controller unit is operated via the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel (MFL) and via the front central operating unit (A40/9). The button operations are read in via the I/O ports and provided to the central computer. Depending on the system function, the button operations are processed further in the central computer and forwarded via the MOST, the telematics CAN and the central CAN to the other system components in the form of a data telegram.

Moreover, the functions of the COMAND controller unit can be operated via the voice control system (VCS) (with code (813) Voice control system (VCS)).

Graphic editing and image output

The displays and menu representations are generated in the COMAND controller unit before they are forwarded for output via a low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) line to the COMAND display (A40/8). The TV signals from the TV combination tuner (analog/digital) (with code (863) Digital/analog TV tuner) are transmitted via a direct video line to the COMAND controller unit from where they are forwarded also via the LVDS line for output to the COMAND display or via the audio/video controller control unit (N66/3) to the following rear screens:

Left rear display (A40/5)
Right rear display (A40/6)

Audio signal output

The audio signals of the different sources (CD, voice output for destination-oriented navigation, etc.) are processed by the audio tuner control unit (N93/1) and amplified before they are output via the speaker system of the vehicle.

Diagnosis and fault management

The COMAND controller unit is the diagnostic gateway for all control units at the MOST and at the telematics CAN. Each component on the MOST or the telematics CAN has a separate fault memory.

While the COMAND controller unit is active, the system stores all faults that occur in the non-volatile memory. They can be read out via the diagnostic CAN at the data link connector (X11/4) using STAR DIAGNOSIS. It is not possible to output faults via the COMAND display.

DVD drive

Audio, MP3 and video CDs as well as audio, MP3 and video DVDs can be played back with the integrated DVD disk drive.

Furthermore, navigation DVDs (with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive (with navigation)) can be used.

DVD changer

The audio functions can be extended by using an additional DVD changer (with code (814) DVD changer) integrated in the COMAND controller unit.