Car Information Computer: Notes
The design principle of the CIC is similar to a personal computer, the Car Information Computer contains a processor, RAM (memory) modules and other peripheral components.
The following CIC applications are stored on the integrated hard disk drive:
- Music collection
- Music track database (Gracenote®)
- Navigation software (application)
- Navigation (map material)
- iSpeech (voice recognition system)
- Contacts (database with address data)
- System operating software
The CIC is the central control unit for the listed applications. It is linked to the central information display (CID) for the purpose of transmitting and displaying information.
The Car Information Computer is also connected to the controller. The controller serves as a selection and input device for the user interface.
The CIC is based on a modular design. The most important systems of the communication network are integrated in the CIC in the form of modules.
The CIC combines the following control units in one enclosure:
- Navigation computer, HIP module and yaw rate sensor
- Tuner (FM)
- Tuner (AM)
- Tuner (FM-TMC)
- IBOC decoder
- Audio system controller, and music search database
- MOST-CAN gateway
- Interface to control display (LVDS)
The upper half of the CIC consists of the optical drive player where CDs and DVDs of digital audio media can be played. The player also has ability to playback video DVDs on the front CID. The video signal is only displayed when the vehicle is stationary with the Parking Brake on.
For the navigation system, the optical drive can be used for updating the map material stored on the hard disk.
The processors for the main board and application board are located in the lower half of the CIC. This section also contains the main memory, the individual modules as well as the hard disk drive. The CIC together with the controller and CID, make up the iDrive system.