AlwAys on the bAllThe infotainment offered in the new Sharan includes an integrated navigation system,

two FM/AM receivers for analogue radio reception and a DAB tuner for digital radio reception,

a CD player as well as a telephone module. There are numerous connection options for

external components. The sound system used in the Tiguan has also been revised.

July 2010 VW Sharan 67

VW Sharan InFoTAInMenT

“rnS 315” naVigation SyStem

The “RNS 315” is a navigation system integrated into the vehicle with a 5-inch colour display and touchscreen. The on-board system also includes a CD player for playing audio CDs, an SD card reader for SD and SDHC cards as well as a 3.5 mm jack for connecting external audio components. The integrated telephone module makes it possible to connect mobile phones via the Bluetooth interface for convenient hands-free calling and lis-tening to music. In terms of music recep-tion, there are two FM/AM receivers installed for analogue radio reception and one DAB tuner for digital radio reception. In addition, there are connection options for operating and/or displaying numerous external components, such as MDI (media device interface) for connecting an iPod, USB sticks), CD changer, air conditioning system display, RVC (RearViewCamera) or OPS (Optical Park System).

operating concept

The operating concept is configured to be a dual system: The user can choose whether to operate the selected function using the touchscreen or buttons. In this way, optimum operation is guaranteed depending on the application mode and the user‘s preference. Whilst driving, it is simpler for most users to press buttons or turn knobs, since this allows them to keep their eyes on the road. The touchscreen represents the fastest means of operation when the vehicle is stationary.

The most important functions (radio, media, navigation, traffic, setup, phone) can be selected by pressing the corres-ponding main menu button, and the main

menu views on the screen are structured in the same way in each menu: the afore-mentioned functions of the menu are arranged in a semicircle like a dial. The elements of the menu can be accessed from there. Clear orientation on which menu is currently active is achieved by means of a uniform colour assignment for each main menu.

naVigation

The RNS 315 is the first navigation sys-tem used by Volkswagen in which the map data of all of Europe is stored in the device. The user no longer needs any navigation discs such as CDs or DVDs. There are various ways of input-ting a destination which should be navi-gated to: it is possible to enter the address in the traditional way using country, city, road, house number/junc-tion using the keyboard displayed on the touchscreen, 1.

Thanks to the dual concept, operation is possible using the touchscreen or the twist-and-press dial. Furthermore, there is a destination input tool that guides the user based on selections made pre-viously, for example by suggesting a town in Germany or a road in a location that has already been input previously. Each destination entered is automatic-ally stored in the „last destinations memory“. Also, it is possible to assign mnemonic names to destinations and store them in the address book. A spe-cial destination search makes it possible for appropriate entries to be made: For instance, if the driver would like some-thing to eat, it is sufficient to enter the keyword “hunger” in the search.

Straightaway, a list of restaurants is dis-played from which one can be selected. The special destinations of “Refuelling” and “Parking” that are used most fre-quently have already been stored in the main level of the navigation menu as shortcuts, thereby making it possible to search for the nearest petrol station or car park rapidly by means of a click.

Once the required destination has been entered and navigation started, the colour map display is shown and the voice of the navigation system provides driving recom-mendations. Different map views can be set if required. The overview map pro-vides an overview of the calculated route. It is possible to change between 3D and two 2D views (one with north always at the top of the map and the other with the vehicle‘s driving direction always at the top of the map), so that every user will find a map display to match their particu-lar driving situation and personal prefer-ence. The map display is automatically zoomed to scale (autozoom) in situations in which an improved overview of detailed road situations is required, 2. The route calculation includes not only driver requests such as “fast, short, eco-nomical route, with/without motorways”, etc. but also current traffic information as broadcast by radio stations (dynamic navigation).

radio function

The RNS 315 not only includes the stand-ard tuners for receiving FM/AM radio but also a DAB tuner for receiving digital radio. The operation is also possible in various ways: manual setting of the required radio frequency, selection of the

dr. Stephan Lange is the electrics Specialist Team

spokesperson in the Sharan project at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg

(Germany).

AuThor

1 Address input in the rnS 315

VW Sharan InFoTAInMenT

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required station by name from a list of stations that can currently be received, storing and selecting favourites in a mem-ory list or briefly scanning all stations on the frequency band that can be received.

integrated teLephone moduLe

The RNS 315 also has an integrated tele-phone module, 3, which enables conveni-ent hands-free calling. The most impor-tant information is transferred to the RNS via the Bluetooth interface of the mobile phone, and can be operated by means of the user interface on the RNS. As well as the phone book, it is also possible to call up dialling lists and store the voice mail number, in order to interrogate the voice mail at a click of a button.

the dynaudio contour Sound SyStem

Dynaudio has further developed the sound system used in the Tiguan, for use in the new Sharan: the system consists of eight Dynaudio loudspeakers integrated in the interior, 4. The positioning of every single loudspeaker was adapted to the special features of the flexible interior by the Dynaudio audio specialists and Volkswagen engineers right from the development stage. A two-way system in the front area of the Sharan provides pre-cise, distortion-free treble reproduction and highly detailed midrange frequencies. A specially coated 60 mm fabric dome is used for the tweeters, which is driven by special neodymium magnets. They allow precise, silky reproduction of the highest tones, such as is typical of Dynaudio

loudspeakers. In the rear, two additional two-way systems with two further 60 mm fabric domes supplement the loudspeaker configuration. The rear loudspeakers not only provide sound for the rear-seat pas-sengers, but also contribute to the overall soundscape in the interior.

A special feature of sound systems in automotive environments is Dynaudio tech-nology in the midrange and bass frequen-cies: Diaphragms made of a magnesium-sili-cate polymer (MSP) are used, as well as extremely lightweight aluminium voice coils which are driven by internal magnets. This elaborate design combines extreme com-pactness with power and precision. The

result is a highly dynamic, deep bass repro-duction teamed with clear, undistorted mid-range output. In total, two 200 mm woofers are used at the front and two 168 mm woof-ers in the rear, providing a particularly homogenous coverage with low frequencies throughout the interior of the Sharan. The Dynaudio sound system in the new Sharan is configured as a fully active multi-channel system for delivering powerful sounds. An eight-channel DSP amplifier with 300 W is used. The active concept means that each loudspeaker is driven by its own amplifier channel, in order to achieve ideal channel separation and therefore the highest pos-sible acoustic quality.

3 Integrated telephone module

4 Sound system of the VW Sharan

2 Map display of the rnS 315

69July 2010 VW Sharan