SYNC 5 / Codename Phoenix - Inside Look

[Azuloval]

Saw this on the F150 site where a user found info on Ford's SYNC 5. Reposting here..

Its operation described as...
Phoenix Domain Controller– PDC - Description The Phoenix Domain controller module is part of the Ford and Lincoln Vehicle Infotainment System (VIS) from Ford Motor Company. The PDC allows the driver and passenger to access and control their phone and media devices "hands free" using voice commands and steering wheel controls. The PDC 4 system also provides cluster displays as well as rich graphical infotainment displays to provide touch screen input and present graphical and text information back to the user. The PDC system works on the Android system providing voice enabled navigation for the user. The PDC module provides a gateway interface to the Vehicle Infotainment System (VIS) for:
Bluetooth enabled Cellular Phones
Portable Media Devices (oh yeah?)
Wi-Fi Networks
Wireless /RF Link (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi)
Universal Serial Bus (USB) including USB PD (aka, can send some voltage to devices for faster charging)
Multiple touch screens of differing sizes for the center stack, panoramic displays, and cluster -)
Biometric, Rear view and sentinel camera support (face as key??)
Apple car play and Google Automotive link through USB and wireless


Seems to run a little warm.... (there's 2 versions)

Connectivity??

Enjoy all of the files for yourself
https://fccid.io/KMH-SG5PHX

 

[ebeponyan]

Cool to see some of these capabilities being (speculatively) introduced even if we won't see them in our cars. Thanks.

 

[Logal727]

Will this come OTA? (Yes this is a joke)

 

[GoldNekNinja]

Saw this on the F150 site where a user found info on Ford's SYNC 5. Reposting here..

Its operation described as...
Phoenix Domain Controller– PDC - Description The Phoenix Domain controller module is part of the Ford and Lincoln Vehicle Infotainment System (VIS) from Ford Motor Company. The PDC allows the driver and passenger to access and control their phone and media devices "hands free" using voice commands and steering wheel controls. The PDC 4 system also provides cluster displays as well as rich graphical infotainment displays to provide touch screen input and present graphical and text information back to the user. The PDC system works on the Android system providing voice enabled navigation for the user. The PDC module provides a gateway interface to the Vehicle Infotainment System (VIS) for:
Bluetooth enabled Cellular Phones
Portable Media Devices (oh yeah?)
Wi-Fi Networks
Wireless /RF Link (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi)
Universal Serial Bus (USB) including USB PD (aka, can send some voltage to devices for faster charging)
Multiple touch screens of differing sizes for the center stack, panoramic displays, and cluster -)
Biometric, Rear view and sentinel camera support (face as key??)
Apple car play and Google Automotive link through USB and wireless


Seems to run a little warm.... (there's 2 versions)

Connectivity??

Enjoy all of the files for yourself
https://fccid.io/KMH-SG5PHX

Looks like the android based SYNC system won’t arrive this year.

 

[MellowJohnny]

Interesting code name choice...

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

(Yes this is a joke)

Or is it?

 

[Atxsw]

Hopefully the final version doesnt have a fan required for cooling, thats likely going to lead to a lot of problems after a few years

 

[kltye]

Wish the SoC wasn't covered up with thermal paste so we can figure out what it is :/

 

[Electric Goat]

I'm really looking forward to using the built-in android automotive instead of trying to connect my phone each time via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Native android on the next car sounds amazing.

I doubt ford would do it but it would be amazing if ford sold a Head Unit upgrade kit so that 2021-2024 models could get this.

 

[breeves002]

Hopefully the final version doesnt have a fan required for cooling, thats likely going to lead to a lot of problems after a few years

Probably is considering this is what was submitted to the FCC. With both Sync 3 and Sync 4 the first generation release was the same as the FCC pictures (or appeared the same). I agree a fan is not a good thing for longevity. You know its going to be some 29c piece of crap too to save as much money as possible.

 

[kodiakng]

if those are coax connectors for cameras (2 blue connectors lower right, second pic) it looks like an increase in video feeds to 8. i like the idea of sentinel cameras.

not sure what the 3 blue connectors (upper right, second pic) are - possibly CAN bus?

fan cooling could be a reliability issue long term. would be interesting to see them harvest heat into the overall heat/cooling system of the vehicle.

first pic looks to have 4 antenna connectors (blue connector upper left, first pic) for various RF needs.

interesting - love FCC disclosures.

 

[Hammered]

That's my post, I like to look through FCC filings every now and then. The fan may not have to run full-time. It gets hot in the dash and current sync 4 vehicles will turn on the AC when people don't want it because the vents run through the dash and it's a good way to cool things down. The fan may only run when it's needed, not a full-time thing. If such is the case that it's strictly temp controlled, I don't see it being an issue. We've pretty much got fan tech down.

Keep in mind on sync 4, cameras connect to the IPMA, not the APIM. Those are displays / ethernet connectivity.

 

[the golden eel]

Seems to run a little warm.... (there's 2 versions)

I think Mach-E owners might be a little gun-shy hearing this right now....

 

[kltye]

Probably is considering this is what was submitted to the FCC. With both Sync 3 and Sync 4 the first generation release was the same as the FCC pictures (or appeared the same). I agree a fan is not a good thing for longevity. You know its going to be some 29c piece of crap too to save as much money as possible.

If a fan is good enough for Tesla, it should be good for us as well, right?

 

[bshaw]

Cool to see some of these capabilities being (speculatively) introduced even if we won't see them in our cars. Thanks.

It's not speculative, Ford has previously confirmed that Android will power the next major version of Sync. It's nice to see they are making progress and already have hardware in testing.

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