DAB Integration...

[EspenB]

Hi,

As the topic describes i was wondering about DAB itegration.

My car is an 2004 XC90, with high performance audio.

My main reason for wanting this is that here in Norway we are closing down the FM band (All FM radio station are forced to switch to DAB) and the closing of the FM bans i scheduled to happen in 2017. District by district here i Oslo the closing date for the FM band in 8th December 2017. So if I want to keep listening to radio in my car I have to find a solution.

I know you can buy aftermarket DAB receivers with FM transmitter, but I dislike the solution.

I do really want an integrated solution...

After searching through the internet for a long time I have not found a solution.

So finally i was thinking what about doing it myself

I have been servicing and found a link to a DIY AUX input by modding the radio PCB....

THis lead to an idea

Combining this with a Raspberry PI Based DAB radio might be a solution, the AUX input could be done and the Raspberry DAB radio (USB sticl conneted to the PC can be done...

My one big problem is the communication from the ICM to the radio. I know nothing about it... Is it by the CAN bus or is the MOST network used...

From here all help and knowledge are appreciated. Please can anyone get me futer down the track to my own DIY DAB inegration

Espen B

[Roger_850T]

Sounds like an interesting problem!

I am aware of two different ways to install an AUX input. As you know, the entire system works on the MOST network. The ICM is both the master of the MOST network, as well as a node on LS CAN. If you have the phone module, it too is on both MOST and LS CAN. Everything else is just on the MOST. The FM receiver module (Antenna module) is actually in the roof by the tailgate, and only the user interface is up front in the console. It's all pretty specifically addressed, and tough to break into.

One method is a converter by GROM that substitutes itself for your CD changer. Great if you don't listen to CD's, or if your CD changer has self-destructed. I have not heard if it's possible to have the GROM replace the FM receiver, but it might be worth asking.

The other method I've seen is to solder wires directly to the amplifier board underneath the front seat. There are articles that identify the right place to inject an analog signal, and you just turn down the volume on the FM/CD unit and turn up the volume on your aux source. I do think you lose all the tone controls (eq, treble, bass, etc.) with this method, but for where you're going it might be worthwhile.

Thus, I think it would be pretty straightforward to add an AUX input for whatever you want to use as a DAR, but integration will be difficult.

I would be tempted to wait and see what the market comes up with. I think the GROM will already integrate your ipod into the ICM, so they already understand the protocols and implementation. With all the people in the same situation, (all European cars with MOST,) I have to think that there are multiple solutions in development. For me, I would wait, and let them get the integration done nicely. But your project sounds cool, too! Good luck!

Roger