Multi-audio system controller: Introduction

• E60, E61, E63, E64:

  The multi-audio system controller (M-ASK) is fitted as standard on the E60 with the BMW "Business" radio with CD drive. The menus are displayed on the 6.5 inch Central Information Display (CID) in color.

  In conjunction with option 663 BMW "Professional" radio or option 606 "Navigation system Business", M-ASK is extended by the following additional functions

  • Selection of the strongest FM station
  • Traffic Message Channel (TMC)
  • Navigation with DVD (only with option 606)
• E87, E90, E91, E92, E93 and E70:

  The M-ASK is fitted along with the special equipment "Navigation system 'Business'". The menus are displayed on the 6.5 inch Central Information Display (CID) in color.

New features: 

• E60, E61, E63, E64, E87, E90, E91, E92:

  Introduction of new M-ASK from 09/2006 (design as previous M-ASK).

• E70 and E93 from start of series production:

  Introduction of M-ASK with favorites buttons

  8 favorites buttons (programmable buttons) allow certain functions to be stored for faster access.

Several electronic control units and the drive are integrated in one casing.

• E60, E61, E63, E64
• E70:
• E87, E90, E91, E92, E93:
• Arrangement of boards, inputs/outputs for navigation system:

The M-ASK has a modular structure: the functional ranges are combined in "virtual" control units in the M-ASK. "Virtual" means that although the individual control units are combined in the M-ASK, they operate as "separate" control units (e.g. when programming).

The following "virtual" control units are differentiated as follows:

• Multi-audio system controller (M-ASK) 

  The M-ASK has the following functions:

  • Aerial tuner for radio reception with the single-tuner radio (standard equipment on E60, E61, E63, E64)
  • Aerial tuner for radio reception with the two-tuner radio (standard equipment on E70 and E87, E90, E91, E92, E93)
  • Navigation (with option 606).
  • Audio function for generating acoustic signals, for setting tones, for fading the audio source in and out and distribution to the loudspeakers
• M-ASK user interface (M-ASK-BO) 

  The M-ASK-BO control unit controls the graphical user interface of the M-ASK.

• M-ASK Gateway (M-ASK-GW) 

  The M-ASK-GW control unit has the following functions:

  • Interfaces between the MOST bus and K-CAN
  • Control and monitoring of the MOST bus
• M-ASK navigation system (M-ASK-NAV) 

  The control unit M-ASK-NAV controls the navigation system (with option 606).

• M-ASK voice recognition system (M-ASK-S) 

  The M-ASK-S controls the output of different voice packages for foreign languages.

Brief description of components 

The M-ASK obtains signals from the following components:

• CON: Controller 

  The controller delivers the signals for selecting the menus and submenus. The submenus are selected by turning and/or pushing the controller.

• Telephone 

  The telephone delivers the signal for the radio mute circuit and the low-frequency output signal to transmit the call to the loudspeakers. The two signals are transmitted via the MOST bus. Other information can also be transmitted by the telephone.

• CD changer or DVD changer 

  The CD changer or DVD changer (optional) supplies the low-frequency output signals to actuate the output stages.

  The CD changer or DVD changer is connected to the MOST bus.

• Aerials 

  The aerials (e.g. rear window aerial, roof-mounted aerial, rod antenna, aerial in the spoiler, side-window aerial) supply the signals for radio reception and for the remote control.

  • E87, E90, E91, E92:
• GPS aerial 

  The GPS aerial receives signals from GPS satellites. The signals to the GPS receiver and the navigation system are transmitted via the aerial cable to other connections.

• DSC: Dynamic Stability Control 

  DSC calculates the data for distance, speed and direction for the navigation system.

• Navigation DVD 

  The navigation DVD supplies the data to the Central Information Display (CID) for the map display and for calculating the distance.

• Wheel-speed sensors 

  The wheel-speed sensors deliver the signals for the distance, speed and direction (forwards and backwards) for calculation in the DSC control unit.

• SZL: Steering column switch cluster 

  The SZL delivers the steering angle signal for the navigation system.

• Multi-function steering wheel 

  The multi-function steering wheel houses the buttons for volume and station selection. The push-to-talk button activates/deactivates the voice recognition system.

The M-ASK consists of the following components:

• Housing 

  The size of the M-ASK corresponds to that of a radio DIN housing.

• Drive 

  Depending on the design, the M-ASK is equipped with the following drives:

  • CD drive for playback of audio CDs.
  • CD-ROM drive for playback of audio CDs.
  • DVD drive for loading data for the navigation system and for playback of audio CDs.
• Aerial tuner 

  Depending on the design, the M-ASK is equipped with the following tuners:

  • Single-tuner radio for reception of VHF, MW and LW radio frequencies.
  • Two-tuner radio for reception of the strongest FM station. The traffic message channel (TMC) receives information that is used by the navigation system to avoid traffic jams (with option 606).
• M-ASK motherboard (M-ASK-H) 

  The M-ASK motherboard is connected to the processor board. There are memories and processors on both boards which function as individual control units.

• Aerial diversity 

  The aerial diversity contains the aerial amplifier and switches over the aerials to FM.

• Electric fan 

  An electric fan for cooling the audio output stages and the processors can be found on the back of the 1 DIN radio casing.

The M-ASK outputs the following signals:

• KOMBI: Instrument cluster 

  The instrument cluster is used to display Check-Control messages.

• CID: Central Information Display 

  The following functions can be displayed on the CID:

  • On-board info (with option 606 is displayed as menu navigation)
  • Entertainment
  • Communication
  • Climate
  • Settings
• Audio operation 

  The following signals can be output via the loudspeakers:

  • Audio signals
  • Parking aid (PDC: Park Distance Control)
  • Audible signals (jingles), e.g. signals during Check-Control messages