Interface box High ULF-SBX-H
Interface box High ULF-SBX-H
The functional description describes the ULF-SBX-H interface box High for the following vehicles:

•E81, E87, E90, E91, E92, E93 (BMW 1 Series, 3 Series)

•E60, E61, E63, E64 (BMW 5 Series, 6 Series)

•E70 (BMW X5)

•R56 (MINI)

R56: No telephone functionality is fitted in this vehicle. The ULF-SBX-H only provides the audio player function (optional extra 6FL).

All except for R56:This vehicle has a parallel installation of TCU and ULF-SBX-H. The ULF-SBX-H provides the audio player function (optional extra 6FL). All telephone functions are implemented via the TCU.

The ULF-SBX-H is connected to the MOST bus in the vehicle.

Brief description of components
The following components are involved in the ULF-SBX-H interface box High:

•ULF-SBX-H control unit
The control unit contains components for the following functions:

•Communication with the display element in the vehicle

•USB port for communication with connected USB devices

•RAD2: Sales code ”BMW Professional radio”
The radio serves as the gateway between the MOST bus and the K-CAN.

•M-ASK: Multi Audio System Controller
The M-ASK is installed in the E60, E61, E63, E64 as the basic version.

•CCC: Car Communication Computer
The CCC is installed in connection with one of the following optional extras:

•Optional extra 609: ”Professional” navigation system

•Optional extra 620: ”Voice recognition system”

•Optional extra 601: ”Video module”

•CID: Central Information Display
The menus of the M-ASK or of the CCC are displayed on the CID.

•Controller
The controller is used to control the functions of the CCC and M-ASK on the Control Display. The telephone menu is also operated via the controller.

•USB port
The USB port sets up the data interchange and electrical connection of USB devices with the ULF-SBX-H.

•AUX-IN port
iPod devices can be connected across the AUX-IN port with the corresponding BMW Y adapter cable.

•USB hub
The USB hub is not fitted in all model series. The USB hub co-ordinates the linked USB devices.

•USB adapter cable
To relieve the load on the USB port in the vehicle, the use of a USB adapter cable is recommended.

•iPod adapter cable
In order to be able to use an iPod without constraints on a ULF-SBX-H, the iPod must be connected with the iPod adapter cable.

System functions
The ULF-SBX-H can only assume audio player functions (optional extra 6FL).

Functions inside the vehicle
•Connecting approved / recommended USB devices to the USB port in the vehicle

•Connecting MP3 players on the USB port or the AUX-IN port

•Display of the data medium structure of the USB device and operation of the player functions of the USB device

•Playback of stored MP3 files of the USB device if there is no digital rights management of the music data

Basic settings
•Connecting a USB device to the ULF-SBX-H
The first time a USB device is connected, the directory information with tracks, albums and artists is adopted into the ULF-SBX-H. Depending on the data volume, this data interchange can take a few minutes. In extreme cases with large storage media (80 gigabytes, etc.), a duration of up to 30 minutes can be expected. Only the track information is stored in the control unit, not the actual MP3 files. The next time the USB device is connected, the data stored in the ULF-SBX-H is displayed first. The data structure is then updated after a short time.
Up to 20,000 items of track information are stored in the control unit. If this number is exceeded, track information of the first USB device that was connected is overwritten. The next time this first USB device is connected, the track information must be scanned in once again. Depending on the memory capacity of the USB device, this scanning can once again take a longer period.
Only Latin letters are shown in the CID. Other lettering, e.g. Greek, cannot be recognised.
The USB device can be activated via the CID.

Notes for Service department
The following information is provided for servicing the ULF-SBX-H:

General information
Requirements for the recognition and playback of music files:

•The MP3 device must be compatible with the control unit. ASAP contains product information with a list of recommended devices.

•The USB device must have been formatted with the FAT file system. The MP3 files should preferably be stored on the USB devices using the Windows Explorer. Utility programs of USB device manufacturers can change the formatting of the file system.

•Only certain formats, e.g. MP3 or WMA, can be played. Music files with DRM (Digital Rights Management) can only be displayed and played when an iPod is connected, as on an iPod the processing of rights takes place internally.

Special features of using the iPod
The Y-shaped adapter cable that can be ordered from BMW is recommended for the operation of iPod devices. If this cable is not used, the iPod can be used via the USB port as a so-called ”volume”. If the iPod is connected without the Y-shaped adapter cable, no directory structure in the form of albums, genre and tracks is available. The music files are displayed in incomprehensible form (e.g.: aghde.mp3). Music files are named automatically in the ”iTunes” management software offered by Apple. These names are displayed.

Coding and programming
The ULF-SBX-H control unit must be recoded in the following circumstances:

•After exchanging the ULF-SBX-H

•After exchanging the control module, depending on vehicle and equipment

•BMW radio ”Professional”

•M-ASK

•CHAMP

•CCC