Headunit High (HU-H)
HU-H
Headunit High (HU-H)
As headunits, control units from different suppliers can be used. In recent years the entire series included the following:
Headunit High (Navigation System Professional):
- Headunit High - Generation 3 (HU-H)
- High Version Car Information Computer - Generation 2 (CIC)
- Car Communication Computer - Generation 1 (CCC)
Headunit Basic Version (Navigation System Business)
- Basic Version Car Information Computer (CIC)
- 2nd generation Central Headunit and Multimedia Platform (CHAMP)
- Multi audio system controller (M-ASK)
Radio (no navigation system)
- Headunit basic version (HU-B)
- Radio Professional (RAD2)
- Radio Business (RAD)
The headunit high version is described below.
The HU-H control unit is used as a headunit. The headunit high (HU-H) version is the headunit in the MOST network.
The noticeable changes for the headunit high version are:
- Central Information Display connected via APIX data line (previously LVDS data line)
- Aerial diversity (aerial amplifier without aerial diversity; aerial diversity integrated in the headunit)
- Integrate of the following former control units as functions in the head unit:
- Digital tuner (DAB)
- Digital tuner US (IBOC)
- Satellite car radio (SDARS)
- Telephone function (CBX-MEDIA)
- WLAN and Bluetooth functionality (audio playback via WLAN)
- Control via the controller with the touchpad (country-dependent) for optimised character entry and navigation operation
- Three-dimensional control display (control centre)
Brief component description
The following components are described:
- Headunit High (HU-H)
- Central Information Display with APIX data line
- Controller (optional equipment dependent and country-dependent with touchpad)
- USB port
- Telematics services via the Telematic Communication Box (TCB)
- Rear Seat Entertainment via Ethernet
Headunit High (HU-H)
The Headunit High (HU-H) has 8 free programmable favorite buttons.
The audio operating facility and the climate operating facility are electrically connected to the integrated automatic heating and air-conditioning system (IHKA). A local interconnect network bus is used here. The operating facilities take their power supply and ground connection from the IHKA with terminal 30F.
In its build, the HU-H is basically personal computer. Like a PC, the Headunit High contains:
- Processor
- Working memory
- Other peripheries such as a DVD drive and a hard disk
The Headunit High is contained in a radio DIN housing size 2.
The Headunit High is connected to the diagnostic socket via Ethernet. With it, the software can be reprogrammed in the service.
Through the extended functions, the plug connections on the rear side of the Headunit High have also changed.
Central Information Display with APIX data line
The Central Information Display (CID) is a graphic display unit.
The Central Information Display is a display with combined technology from the LCD and TFT (LCD = liquid crystal display, TFT = thin-film transistor). The CID has backlighting through LEDs.
The CID is connected to the headunit through an APIX data line. The CID represents image data supplied by the headunit. With this technology the CID no longer has a CAN connection. Thus the CID is no longer a control unit in the diagnostic range.
The Central Information Display is supplied with voltage via the headunit. The positive connection (9.5 volt) is switched via the headunit.
The Central Information Display is connected to the headunit via the APIX data line (automotive pixel link).
Controller (CON)
The controller is the central operating element for the vehicle functions that can be selected and configured on the central information display. The control panel and control unit of the controller (CON) have been combined in one single component. There are 7 fixed selector keys arranged around the controller. These selector keys now enable selection of half of all the submenus.
For navigation in the menu, it is possible to have various degrees of freedom for the service of the control panel:
- Turning
- Pressing
- Tilting
The controller is connected via the bus system with the headunit.
Signal path: Controller (CON) > K-CAN2 > Headunit High (HU-H)
The signal for the locator lighting (terminal 58g e.g. for the buttons) is transferred on the bus.
The controller (CON) is supplied by the front power distribution box with terminal 30B. The ground supply comes from the body.
USB port
As of the Headunit High 3rd generation, the USB port in the glove box is discontinued.
The following USB ports are directly connected with the Headunit High (HU-H):
- USB port in centre console
- USB port in base plate
- USB port on the Telematic Communication Box (TCB)
The following functions are now possible via the USB interface in the centre console:
- Import and export of data for the Personal Profile (= mobile profile)
- Playback of external audio and video sources
- Import of music and video to the entertainment server
- Safeguarding of the music collection
USB sticks with the standard USB 1.1 are supported. However, the standard USB 2.0 (= high speed) is recommended. If the USB stick has been partitioned, the files must be located on the first partition. This is the only way these files are recognised and used. The USB interface supplies the USB stick with a maximum of 500 mA.
Hard disk drives for USB, USB hubs and card readers for USB with several insertions cannot be read at the USB interface.
Telematic services via the Telematic Communication Box (TCB)
During the installation of a Headunit High (HU-H) a Telematic Communication Box (TCB) is also always installed.
The BMW Professional telematics function comprises the following functions:
- Enhanced emergency call
- BMW Assist (information service)
- BMW Online
- BMW Mobile Office (e-mail and calendar)
- BMW AppCenter
- BMW Remote Access Service
- Manual BMW TeleServices call
- Automatic BMW TeleServices call
- BMW TeleServices diagnosis including BMW TeleServices help
- BMW TeleServices call* Integration in Check Control message
- BMW Teleservice Report
- BMW Teleservice Battery Guard
- BMW Teleservice Update
Also see functional description: BMW Professional telematics
Rear Seat Entertainment via Ethernet
Like the Headunit High, the Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) has an extended range of functions. These include:
- Support for the iPod and 1 USB port
- Wireless headphones connection (standard Kleer)
- Wireless keyboard connection (standard Bluetooth, expected starting 07/2013)
- Clear and simplified differentiation of the sources headunit and Rear Seat Entertainment
- Central volume control (headphones, speaker)
- Improved functionality as a server from the HU-H control unit to the RSE control unit
The control unit for the Rear Seat Entertainment is also connected to the Headunit High via Ethernet. Due to the extended function, high data volumes are transferred quickly and in high quality via Ethernet to the Headunit High.
System functions
The following system functions are described:
- Functional networking
- Functional enhancement of the HU-H
- Integrated telephone function
- Personalization of settings
Functional networking
For the implementation of the Headunit High, a complex system network with distributed functions in further control units is necessary. As an example, the following graphic shows the functional networking of the Telematics Professional.
Functional enhancement of the Headunit High
Combining several devices that were previously external in one housing has resulted in the following benefits:
- Additional functionality
- Software is easy to extend using suitable interfaces
- Fewer plug-in connections, therefore fewer fault sources
- Optimised installation room and lighter weight
The Headunit High is built up modular. The most important systems for communication are integrated as modules in the Headunit High. The Headunit High contains the following components in one housing:
- 3 tuner (FM)
- 2 tuner (AM)
- Diversity aerial
- 2 DAB tuner (L band and band III)
- IBOC decoder (US only)
- SDARS satellite tuner (US only)
- Audio system controller
- MOST-CAN gateway
- Interface to the Central Information Display (APIX)
The DVD drive can be used to play DVDs (digital audio). Both the MP3, WMA and AAC formats (m3a, m3p from iTunes) are supported.
Integrated telephone function
Depending on the equipment of the vehicle, the telephone function is integrated in the Headunit High. In this case, no separate telephone control unit is installed.
The procedure for Bluetooth pairing of the mobile phone can be found in the owner's handbook.
Pay attention to separate functional description for the integrated telephone function.
Personalization of settings
The personalization of functions is recognised under Personal Profile. Here, individual settings are stored in the vehicle on a key-dependent basis. The settings are called up again on unlocking the vehicle.
The Headunit High also supports Mobile Profile.
With mobile profile the personal profile of the user can be transmitted via the following interfaces:
- External USB stick
- Online via the BMW Portal
Subsequently, the Personal Profile can be imported into another BMW vehicle.
The Car Access System (CAS) is the master control unit for the personalization.
Notes for Service department
Diagnosis instructions
NOTICE: Observe the service function.
A service function in the diagnosis system can be used to reset the settings of the Personal Profile.
Path: Service function > Body > Head unit > Restore delivery status
There is a fault pattern selection available for the selection "perceived symptom".
Programming information
The following interface is used for programming the Headunit High:
- Ethernet via diagnosis connector:
We can assume no liability for printing errors or inaccuracies in this document and reserve the right to introduce technical modifications at any time.