Introduction
This article is reproduced from the public account “Automotive Electronic Design”, Author: Zhu Yulong.
BMW Information System Evolution
The evolution of BMW’s bus system is relatively fast. From the perspective of generation change, starting from the bus system reform of the I3, to the iteration in 2015, and then the changes on the X5 in 2018, the next change will be in 2021 on the iNext, so BMW is introducing Ethernet networks.
BMW’s Bus System Iteration
BMW’s ID System Evolution
In terms of HMI system interaction and host, this evolving I-Drive system is built around touch, sound and gesture systems. The host is designed to handle this content around the Head Unit.
This system mainly includes:
1) KOMBI LCD instrument panel and driver monitoring: Using a large display screen, the all-digital instrument panel displays not only instrument information such as vehicle speed, but also navigation information, vehicle information and safety-related HMI information. The instrument unit integrates the driver monitoring system unit, and a driver monitoring camera is installed above the center of the instrument panel.2) Head Unit Controller: This information device system integrates HMI and displays vehicle information, settings, navigation, and audio control on the central display screen using BMW iDrive, which is operated using iDrive commands. The system is supported by the BMW iDrive OS7 platform and can be operated using various methods such as gesture, voice, and touchscreen.
Note: BMW has an interior lighting integrated unit that integrates an emergency call button and a ToF sensor for gesture control, as well as a microphone sensor for the BMW original security system. The ToF sensor detects the movements of the driver’s hands and wrists and consists of a camera and four infrared emitting parts. The camera captures the infrared light emitted and reflected by the object when it reaches the object, allowing the movements of the hands and wrists to be read.
Introduction to LCD Instrument Panel
Let’s start with the LCD instrument panel, which is manufactured by Bosch and is integrated with a DCS camera as shown below:
The LCD panel is produced by LG, and the main processor for the system is an Intel Atom processor, which is responsible for processing the graphics for the entire digital instrument panel, while communication and other controls use SPANSION’s 32bit MPU. We will focus on finding some high-definition images to see the entire circuit structure in the future.
Summary
I’m going to the hospital for an eye exam soon, and I woke up too late this morning. Weekends always seem like a warzone to me, but I plan to write more about cockpit electronics and intelligent driving after the weekend.
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.