How to connect the steering column joystick to the radio. Steering column control adapter for radio. Steering column control: pros and cons

Automakers are constantly racking their brains over what to offer car owners to determine their choice when purchasing a car model. In this regard, Renault is one of those brands that care about consumers even when users have long decided on the choice of brand.

We are talking about such a pleasant little thing as the steering column joystick for controlling the radio. In appearance it resembles computer mouse, is installed near the steering column and allows you to switch the radio with the movement of your fingers, without being distracted from driving the car.

Steering column control: pros and cons

The steering column control of the radio is a unique option offered to Renault owners as an option for accessing the functions of the media system. Similar devices like the steering panel are already a familiar device. In this case, it is implemented as a peripheral device. Experienced motorists and Renault owners say that the external buttons for playing music are really very convenient.

In terms of costs and labor intensity of installation, this is really more acceptable and affordable option compared to the options offered for media systems. In fact, we are talking about a separate device with minimal installation requirements. You need to connect the adapter to the appropriate connector and attach it in the steering column space.

This option is available for Renault Laguna and Lacetti cars. The device itself is manufactured by Pioneer, which is already a guarantee of quality and thoughtful ergonomics.

The photo shows appearance joystick in installed form. As you can see, it is compact, convenient and inexpensive. A similar joystick is also available to Ford Focus owners; the devices are also sold by Sony. This Pioneer gadget has an original stylish appearance and is very easy to use.

The advantages offered by the steering column control switch for the radio:

• convenient and inexpensive installation when performing the remote access function;
• low cost of the device;
• simple design and operation scheme;
• After a while, the action becomes a reflex, which is very convenient and allows you to abandon remote access.

It must be said that joysticks are quite popular among manufacturers. You can find various tuning devices on sale. For example, a switch for a mirror, navigation, on-board computer. These options are often included in expansion packages along with navigators, car TV, music changer and other devices.

The idea is borrowed from sports cars and concept cars, where so-called “intuitive” design is implemented. These Pioneer devices are perfect for motorists who love extreme driving and people who travel long distances by car.

Features of use and installation

The practical effect of using this extension is more convincing than the description. Renault engineers very clearly noted that this functionality is more convenient and completely replaces remote control. The fact is that the driver can use the switch without having to watch his hand, completely automatically.

The device allows you to make the sound louder or weaker, or turn it off completely with one click; in Renault, the device has a button for accepting a call with Hands Free. It also supports moving forward/backward through tracks and rewinding. The radio steering column control adapter makes it possible to connect everything necessary functions radios on remote control. IN in some cases Such remote controls operate wirelessly, but, as a rule, such an increase in price is not justified.

A simple and logical solution, as for Renault Lacetti, Laguna, Ford Focus, allows you to avoid the use of more expensive options without limiting your capabilities. That this could also include voice control. The physical switch is used as an addition to the latest features, as it is very convenient and accessible. We recommend installing other options for similar external functions. It's convenient and inexpensive.

Installation

The delivery set includes the device, installation manual, connection cord, adapter. This peripheral is connected via an adapter to the radio and outputs the access button to the external circuit. In fact, during installation you need to install the mount and connect the connectors. Simplicity of design implies low cost. At the same time, the recommended extension allows one to improve the level of access by the media system by an order of magnitude.

What to choose: modern or time-tested options

When tuning the interior, drivers are often faced with a rather difficult choice: the latest and already well-proven options. A radio with steering column control has long been offered to consumers and has proven itself well thanks to its simple design. In fact, the control buttons are simply displayed on a separate interface located in the steering column space.

You can find more in stores modern version These devices, however, the appropriateness of their use is questionable, especially for people who do not have a craving for technology. At the same time, all kinds of control systems are used with pleasure by all drivers, regardless of their status and technical knowledge. Such devices are an ideal choice for most cases when you need to make convenient and inexpensive tuning of the technical equipment of the interior of Renault, Ford Focus and others.

When examining different Renault Lagunas before purchasing, I had to see the steering column joystick in action to control the radio. I noted that the item was comfortable. After purchasing my current Laguna, I received the following: the presence of a steering column joystick, the presence of a “left” radio, a cassette, of low quality, not connected to the joystick and not having such an opportunity. Naturally, there was a desire to see (and hear) a more or less decent CD radio in the car, and, moreover, connected to a standard joystick. The radio was unexpectedly found in the garage - it had been removed 3 months earlier from the previous car after a crash test. Radio - PIONEER DEN-2500. But the adapter for the joystick was not found. I had to develop it myself.

The first step was to find out whether it was even possible to connect a wired joystick to the Pioneer. After a long walk around the markets, it became known that a wired remote control RM-X4S from SONY can be connected to the AUX input. The experiment showed that this is possible, but not all buttons on the Sony remote control work. In addition, the “Sonin” remote control can be connected to the steering column of the Renault Laguna, but what’s the point - with such success you can also press the buttons on the front panel of the radio. In general, it's inconvenient.

An autopsy showed that when you press a button, the RM-X4S simply connects a resistance of a certain value to the AUX input of the radio, depending on which button is pressed. Based on this information, the task was determined: “with little loss,” i.e. connect the standard Renault Laguna steering column joystick to the PIONEER DEN-2500 with minimal time, financial and psychological costs. At the same time, make maximum use of the radio functions performed by it upon commands received from the AUX input. A resistance store was connected to the input, and it was determined when which resistance was connected which function was performed. At the same time, it was found out exactly what functions the radio tape recorder performs, receiving them from the remote control.

1. Enabling
2. Shutdown
3. CD-RADIO switching
4. Volume +
5. Volume -
6. Radio setup +
7. Setting up the radio -
8. Next station (from memory)
9. Previous station (from memory)
10. Next track
11. Previous track
12. Fast forward through a track
13. Rewind a track
14. Switching between bands (BAND)
15. ATT (audio mute)

Rice. 1. Steering column joystick

In Fig. 1 shows the steering column joystick. The figure shows that the joystick has only 4 buttons and 1 rotary switch for three positions (on back wall- position 22). Using only 4 buttons and a switch, I wanted to use the maximum of the “pioneer” functions from the remote control. As a result, such a scheme was born (Fig. 2). This circuit allows you to use all functions except BAND.

The birth of the scheme was helped by the fact that I did not know at that moment what functions the joystick buttons had in the standard version. Therefore, I was not psychologically tied to the standard button assignments.

Next... I really wanted to keep the standard joystick cable, so as not to bother looking for a new one. And I saved it (I just had to want it). On the standard cable, the original chip (connector) is cut off and a 3.5 mm jack is soldered in its place (I successfully cut it off from old headphones, although buying it is also not a problem). An adapter is soldered between the standard cable and the jack (diagram in Fig. 3).

To simplify the adapter as much as possible, the joystick itself had to be slightly redesigned. Namely, open it, remove the board and perform some manipulations with it. Joystick conversion diagram in Fig. 4.

I would like to add that the joystick can be successfully disassembled using two screwdrivers and a sharp knife. Moreover, there are no permanent connections, i.e. nothing needs to be broken, cut, etc. If the necessary attention to the process was shown during disassembly, then assistance will no longer be needed during assembly.

There are no photos yet, but if I have to remake another joystick, I think they will. The joystick with adapter showed its performance on the pioneering DEN-2500 and DEN-5600. Suitable for other “pioneers” with AUX. Although there are some differences between the models in the organization of the menu, which may require some changes in the circuit or in the resistance values. Or maybe not. You can also connect to SONY with AUX without any problems, although, again, correction may be required.

Table 1 shows the button combinations and their corresponding commands.

Table 1. Correspondence of combinations of buttons and commands Renault Laguna

Now, after almost a year, I came to the idea that it would be possible to make an adapter that would not require intervention in the joystick itself. Actually, these thoughts were there even then, but I didn’t want to create a circuit with active elements because of its cumbersomeness. But I can’t use microcontrollers because I don’t yet know how to write programs for them. For now... And the problem is not this, but the absence of a wand, which Ancient Rome drove draft animals.

One caveat. Since the SHIFT ring switch (located on the back wall of the joystick) has three positions, two of them are SHIFT off, one is SHIFT on. Somewhat inconvenient, but left this way for the reasons described above. If there were 2 or 4 positions, then it would be a different matter.

© 2006 Andrey Zelin

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We install a steering column joystick for the standard radio.

A package arrived from a Logan City store with a steering column joystick for the standard radio.

Without putting it on the back burner, I decided to install it right away, especially since I had everything to install it in stock. And so, you will need a cutter or a utility knife to cut a mounting hole in the steering column casing, a clip - a nut for a bolt or a self-tapping screw. You will also need 2-4 nails for the mounting holes of the radio, a pencil or scriber.
Remove the upper and lower steering column casing by unscrewing the two bolts on the lower casing.

To remove, pull the top one up, and the bottom one down, opening the steering wheel height adjustment lock.
After removing the lower casing, immediately use the steering column wiper switch to find the seat for the joystick.

Cut a hole using a utility knife. First, cut out less of the marked

Then we align the hole by applying and trying on seat.
No matter how hard you try, the edges of the hole still don’t turn out perfect; I found a way out by placing a rubber edging along the contour of the hole, which I had once bought to frame the mesh in the bumper grille.

First we pull it out a little on one side, then on the other.

And take it out in the niche of the radio.

Insert the cable plug into the radio socket,

Currently, there are quite a few cars that are initially equipped with devices that make it easier to control on-board audio-video equipment. A typical example is a steering column joystick for controlling a car radio. For a number of reasons, car owners eventually replace the standard audio system (usually already morally and physically outdated) with new models. As a result, the control device often remains unclaimed due to the known difficulties of its interfacing. This leads to a decrease in control ergonomics, up to the risk of developing emergency situation, since the radio control controls can be extremely inconvenient and require increased attention.

This article is intended to help solve this problem. Using the example of connecting the steering column joystick of a Reno Scenic car, we will show how, using an available element base, we can make a joystick controller capable of controlling almost any car radio that has an appropriate interface for external control.

The joystick is no different; in fact, it is a 3x3 matrix of buttons. Moreover, the column is occupied by an encoder, one of the contacts (can be any) of which is constantly closed. When the encoder rotates, another contact closes - in the direction of movement. The direction of rotation can be determined from the switching sequence.

You should be guided by the contact numbers, since the order of colors may differ for a given model.

There are many external control interfaces. Let's look at the two most common ones.

1. Resistive control panel. Used in many radios from Sony, Pioneer, etc.

Connects using a regular 3.5 mm audio jack:

It is clear from the diagram that to implement control it is enough to include a resistance of the appropriate value between the AD and GND wires, depending on the button pressed. This is easy to organize on a microcontroller.

2. Infrared control panel. Almost all modern radios have them. The difficulty lies in determining the console protocol and address and command codes. To do this, you should have a copy of a suitable remote control. Using appropriate programs (for example, CoolEdit, rcexplorer) this information can be obtained. Descriptions of IR protocols are easily found on the Internet. Then it's a matter of technique.

For example, for Sony CDX-S22 radio

Controlled by remote control rm-x114:

Find out (CoolEdit + tsop1736 to sound card) that the Sony Sirc 15 bit IR control protocol:

Detailed information about the protocol is available on the sites http://www.hifi-remote.com/sony/, http://www.sbprojects.com/knowledge/ir/sirc.htm

Carrier frequency 40 kHz, address code 132

Button Code
DSPL 40
MODE 71
MENU 10
DISC_PL 51
LIST 39
SEEK_MN 53
SOURCE 70
SEEK_PL 52
SOUND 16
DISC_MN 50
ENTER 92
OFF 13
ATT 20
VOL_PL 18
VOL_MN 19

Now there is everything necessary information to start implementing the controller.

Controller circuit providing the ability to control via two interfaces:

Make sure that the voltage on the radio control wire using the resistive method is no more than 5V.

The necessary explanations are indicated in the diagram. The matching of the joystick wires can be determined from electrical diagram joystick (see above).

Printed circuit board, top view (TOP) ( reverse side– continuous earthen landfill):

The picture for LUT is given in a separate file (mirror). It needs to be scaled.

In reality it turned out something like this (the LEDs then had to be moved to wires):

In the photo only the elements for the IR part are soldered.
The board is mounted in the steering column casing (with hot-melt adhesive):

It is convenient to place the LEDs themselves in the holes made at the bottom of the steering column joystick so that the light flux, if possible, effectively reaches the car radio receiver.

The archive contains source codes () connected to the project (Code::Block 8.02), a model (Proteus) and a circuit with a printed circuit board (). And also some useful information.

Support for the remote control for the VDM-MB504TV radio (NEC, 38 kHz) has been added to the project. Using this example, it is easy to see how to add support for new protocols (each of the IR protocols requires separate firmware, the resistive remote control will work in any case).

Some notes:

The controller is clocked from an 8 MHz quartz resonator. Stable operation from the internal 8 MHz RC oscillator is quite possible (in both cases it is necessary to disable the CKDIV8 fuse). The project contains screenshots of fuses and their numerical code.

It is necessary to provide a fuse with a rating of about 2A in the positive wire supplying the controller.

In conclusion, it should be said that despite the wide variety of control joysticks, types of IR protocols, etc., it is quite easy to upgrade this project to suit your needs.

The project is provided “as is”. All work on installing this device in a car is carried out at your own risk, the author does not bear responsibility.

List of radioelements

The goal of this project was to “make friends” of the steering column joystick for controlling the radio system of a Ford Focus (Mondeo, Fusion) with Sony and Pioneer radios that have an analog input for connecting a wired remote control. Such radios are designed to control RM-X2S and RM-X4S joysticks from Sony (Pioneer, as far as I know, did not produce wired joysticks).

Ford and Sony joysticks are resistive matrices of series-connected resistors and, depending on the button pressed, the number of connected resistors and, accordingly, the resistance at the joystick output changes. Joystick diagrams are shown below.

Fig.1. Ford joystick diagram

Fig.2. Sony joystick diagram

The Ford joystick has 5 buttons: volume up/down, switching to the next/previous track/radio station and turning on the radio/selecting a signal source. The table below shows the resistance values ​​of Ford and Sony joysticks when pressing buttons with the same functional purpose.

From the joystick diagrams and the table it is clear that they have different meanings resistance, and the resistance of the Sony joystick changes in the opposite direction (or, vice versa, for Ford). This does not allow us to get by by simply re-soldering the resistors on the Ford joystick to a different nominal value required to control the Sony radio. There is a 3rd option here possible solutions. The first option is to disassemble the Ford joystick, unsolder the resistors (SMD) and solder the output resistors with a power of 0.125 W, while changing the circuit so that when the button is pressed, only one resistor is connected, i.e. to form a matrix of parallel connected resistors. The second option is to disassemble the Ford joystick, unsolder the buttons and wire a new printed circuit board. Well, the third option is to make an adapter that will convert the resistance of the Ford joystick into the resistance needed to control the Sony radio. The first two options require intervention in the Ford joystick. In addition, when disassembling a Ford joystick, there is a possibility of breaking the plastic latches and button antennae. Therefore, I settled on the option of implementing an external adapter in order to do without any intervention in the joystick and radio.

The steering column adapter circuit turned out to be very simple. It is based on the ATtiny13 microcontroller from Atmel, clocked from an internal oscillator. The microcontroller is powered from the on-board network through a 78L05 stabilizer. The voltage obtained at the divider formed by the resistance of the Ford joystick and resistor R1 is supplied to the ADC of the microcontroller, where it is converted into code, which in turn controls a resistive chain of resistors R2-R6.

Fig.4. Adapter circuit for radio control

While none of the buttons on the Ford joystick is pressed, the microcontroller outputs PB0, PB1, PB2, PB4 are in a high-impedance state (Z-state, resistance of the order of several MOhms). Such high resistance is perceived by the Sony radio as if none of the buttons are pressed. When you press, for example, the "Seek+" button, pins PB0 and PB1 are switched to a low logic level and provide connection to resistors R2, R3, R4 to ground. The high output resistance at pins PB2 and PB4 can be neglected, because at parallel connection multi-megaohm resistance with a resistance of several kilo-ohms, the total resistance will differ slightly from the smallest resistance. Thus, when the “Seek+” button is pressed, the resistance at the adapter output has a value of about 8.2 kOhm formed by the series connection of resistor R2 and a parallel chain of resistors R3 and R4. The microcontroller pin status for other functions is presented in the table below.

All adapter parts are assembled on printed circuit board. A photo of the board is shown below.